Copyrights

The Copyright Small Claims Board is open for business. The streamlined procedure for resolving copyright infringement is for claims of under $30,000.00. You can learn more about it and file a claim by visiting https://ccb.gov/.

Trademarks

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has amended its procedures in two significant ways:

• First, the USPTO will begin issuing electronic versions of registration certificates. For applications that were filed before May 24, 2022, the registrant can obtain a paper copy with a gold seal for no cost. For applications filed after May 24, 2022, registrants can obtain a paper copy for $25.00.
• Second, the time to respond to Office Actions is being shortened from 6 months to 3 months. According to USPTO data, most responses are filed within that time frame anyway. A party can request a 3 month extension but the request has to be made before the initial 3 month deadline passes.

For questions about any of these key developments, please contact GCT's IP Practice Group Chair Beverly A. Berneman at baberneman@gct.law.