PTO Amends Rules on Cross-Border Registration of Trademarks

The Patent and Trademark Office is revising its trademark rules of practice and filing procedures related to the Madrid Agreement Concerning the International Registration of Marks, in a final rule that takes effect Feb. 17 (here). According to PTO, the changes provide more clarity on requirements for representation at the agency, applications for registration, examination procedures, amendment of applications, publication and post publication procedures, appeals, petitions, post registration practice, correspondence in trademark cases, classification of goods and services, and procedures under the Madrid Protocol. The amendments mostly codify current practice, it said.