The USPTO recently learned that U.S. attorneys are again receiving emails from unlicensed individuals offering to pay to use the attorney’s bar credentials in trademark filings. These solicitations are a direct attempt to circumvent the U.S. counsel rule.
Although we believe that only a small percentage of practitioners are engaging in this practice, the USPTO would like to remind U.S. attorneys that such an arrangement would likely be aiding the unauthorized practice of law and also a violation of federal rules, including the USPTO’s Rules of Professional Conduct, 37 C.F.R. Part 11.
Scams can adversely impact the integrity of the trademark register. If you receive a solicitation asking to use your bar credentials, please forward it to TMScams@uspto.gov.