INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS

NATIONAL LEGISLATION - USA

Patent Laws and Regulations

Regulations: Title 37, Chapter I (Subchapter A, Parts 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, 15, and 15a and Subchapter B); Chapter IV and Chapter V, Code of Federal Regulations

37 C.F.R. � 1.621   Preliminary statement, time for filing, notice of filing.

(a) Within the time set for filing preliminary motions under � 1.633, each party may file a preliminary statement. The preliminary statement may be signed by any individual having knowledge of the facts recited therein or by an attorney or agent of record.

(b) When a party files a preliminary statement, the party shall also simultaneously file and serve on all opponents in the interference a notice stating that a preliminary statement has been filed. A copy of the preliminary statement need not be served until ordered by the administrative patent judge.

[49 FR 48455, Dec. 12, 1984; 50 FR 23124, May 31, 1985; 60 FR 14522, Mar. 17, 1995]

37 C.F.R. � 1.622   Preliminary statement; who made invention; where invention made.
(a) A party's preliminary statement must identify the inventor who made the invention defined by each count and must state on behalf of the inventor the facts required by paragraph (a) of �� 1.623, 1.624, and 1.625 as may be appropriate. When an inventor identified in the preliminary statement is not an inventor named in the party's application or patent, the party shall file a motion under � 1.634 to correct inventorship.

(b) The preliminary statement shall state whether the invention was made in the United States, a NAFTA country (and, if so, which NAFTA country), a WTO member country (and, if so, which WTO member country), or in a place other than the United States, a NAFTA country, or a WTO member country. If made in a place other than the United States, a NAFTA country, or a WTO member country, the preliminary statement shall state whether the party is entitled to the benefit of 35 U.S.C. 104(a)(2).

[49 FR 48455, Dec. 12, 1984; 60 FR 14522, Mar. 17, 1995]

37 C.F.R. � 1.623   Preliminary statement; invention made in United States, a NAFTA country, or a WTO member country.

(a) When the invention was made in the United States, a NAFTA country, or a WTO member country, or a party is entitled to the benefit of 35 U.S.C. 104(a)(2), the preliminary statement must state the following facts as to the invention defined by each count:

(1) The date on which the first drawing of the invention was made.

(2) The date on which the first written description of the invention was made.

(3) The date on which the invention was first disclosed by the inventor to another person.

(4) The date on which the invention was first conceived by the inventor.

(5) The date on which the invention was first actually reduced to practice. If the invention was not actually reduced to practice by or on behalf of the inventor prior to the party's filing date, the preliminary statement shall so state.

(6) The date after the inventor's conception of the invention when active exercise of reasonable diligence toward reducing the invention to practice began.

(b) If a party intends to prove derivation, the preliminary statement must also comply with � 1.625.

(c) When a party alleges under paragraph (a)(1) of this section that a drawing was made, a copy of the first drawing shall be filed with and identified in the preliminary statement. When a party alleges under paragraph (a)(2) of this section that a written description of the invention was made, a copy of the first written description shall be filed with and identified in the preliminary statement. See � 1.628(b) when a copy of the first drawing or written description cannot be filed with the preliminary statement.

[49 FR 48455, Dec. 12, 1984; 60 FR 14522, Mar. 17, 1995]

37 C.F.R. � 1.624   Preliminary statement; invention made in a place other than the United States, a NAFTA country, or a WTO member country.

(a) When the invention was made in a place other than the United States, a NAFTA country, or a WTO member country and a party intends to rely on introduction of the invention into the United States, a NAFTA country, or a WTO member country, the preliminary statement must state the following facts as to the invention defined by each count:

(1) The date on which a drawing of the invention was first introduced into the United States, a NAFTA country, or a WTO member country.

(2) The date on which a written description of the invention was first introduced into the United States, a NAFTA country, or a WTO member country.

(3) The date on which the invention was first disclosed to another person in the United States, a NAFTA country, or a WTO member country.

(4) The date on which the inventor's conception of the invention was first introduced into the United States, a NAFTA country, or a WTO member country.

(5) The date on which an actual reduction to practice of the invention was first introduced into the United States, a NAFTA country, or a WTO member country. If an actual reduction to practice of the invention was not introduced into the United States, a NAFTA country, or a WTO member country, the preliminary amendment shall so state.

(6) The date after introduction of the inventor's conception into the United States, a NAFTA country, or a WTO member country when active exercise of reasonable diligence in the United States, a NAFTA country, or a WTO member country toward reducing the invention to practice began.

(b) If a party intends to prove derivation, the preliminary statement must also comply with � 1.625.

(c) When a party alleges under paragraph (a)(1) of this section that a drawing was introduced into the United States, a NAFTA country, or a WTO member country, a copy of that drawing shall be filed with and identified in the preliminary statement. When a party alleges under paragraph (a)(2) of this section that a written description of the invention was introduced into the United States, a NAFTA country, or a WTO member country, a copy of that written description shall be filed with and identified in the preliminary statement. See � 1.628(b) when a copy of the first drawing or first written description introduced in the United States, a NAFTA country, or a WTO member country cannot be filed with the preliminary statement.

[49 FR 48455, Dec. 12, 1984; 50 FR 23124, May 31, 1985; 60 FR 14523, Mar. 17, 1995]

37 C.F.R. � 1.625   Preliminary statement; derivation by an opponent.

(a) When a party intends to prove derivation by an opponent from the party, the preliminary statement must state the following as to the invention defined by each count:

(1) The name of the opponent.

(2) The date on which the first drawing of the invention was made.

(3) The date on which the first written description of the invention was made.

(4) The date on which the invention was first disclosed by the inventor to another person.

(5) The date on which the invention was first conceived by the inventor.

(6) The date on which the invention was first communicated to the opponent.

(b) If a party intends to prove priority, the preliminary statement must also comply with � 1.623 or � 1.624.

(c) When a party alleges under paragraph (a)(2) of this section that a drawing was made, a copy of the first drawing shall be filed with and identified in the preliminary statement. When a party alleges under paragraph (a)(3) of this section that a written description of the invention was made, a copy of the first written description shall be filed with and identified in the preliminary statement. See � 1.628(b) when a first drawing or first written description cannot be filed with the preliminary statement.

[49 FR 48455, Dec. 12, 1984; 60 FR 14523, Mar. 17, 1995]

37 C.F.R. � 1.626   Preliminary statement; earlier application.

   When a party does not intend to present evidence to prove a conception or an actual reduction to practice and the party intends to rely solely on the filing date of an earlier filed application to prove a constructive reduction to practice, the preliminary statement may so state and identify the earlier filed application with particularity.

[49 FR 48455, Dec. 12, 1984; 60 FR 14523, Mar. 17, 1995]

37 C.F.R. � 1.627   Preliminary statement; sealing before filing, opening of statement.

(a) The preliminary statement and copies of any drawing or written description shall be filed in a sealed envelope bearing only the name of the party filing the statement and the style (e.g., Jones v. Smith) and number of the interference. The sealed envelope should contain only the preliminary statement and copies of any drawing or written description. If the preliminary statement is filed through the mail, the sealed envelope should be enclosed in an outer envelope addressed to the Commission of Patents and Trademarks in accordance with � 1.1(e).

(b) A preliminary statement may be opened only at the direction of an administrative patent judge.

[49 FR 48455, Dec. 12, 1984; 60 FR 14523, Mar. 17, 1995]

37 C.F.R. � 1.628   Preliminary statement; correction of error.

(a) A material error arising through inadvertence or mistake in connection with a preliminary statement or drawings or a written description submitted therewith or omitted therefrom may be corrected by a motion (� 1.635) for leave to file a corrected statement. The motion shall be supported by an affidavit stating the date the error was first discovered, shall be accompanied by the corrected statement and shall be filed as soon as practical after discovery of the error. If filed on or after the date set by the administrative patent judge for service of preliminary statements, the motion shall also show that correction of the error is essential to the interest of justice.

(b) When a party cannot attach a copy of a drawing or written description to the party's preliminary statement as required by � 1.623(c), � 1.624(c) or � 1.625(c), the party shall show good cause and explain in the preliminary statement why a copy of the drawing or written description cannot be attached to the preliminary statement and shall attach to the preliminary statement the earliest drawing or written description made in or introduced into the United States, a NAFTA country, or a WTO member country which is available. The party shall file a motion (� 1.635) to amend its preliminary statement promptly after the first drawing, first written description, or drawing or written description first introduced into the United States, a NAFTA country, or a WTO member country becomes available. A copy of the drawing or written description may be obtained, where appropriate, by a motion (� 1.635) for additional discovery under � 1.687 or during a testimony period.

[49 FR 48455, Dec. 12, 1984; 60 FR 14523, Mar. 17, 1995]

37 C.F.R. � 1.629   Effect of preliminary statement.

(a) A party shall be strictly held to any date alleged in the preliminary statement. Doubts as to definiteness or sufficiency of any allegation in a preliminary statement or compliance with formal requirements will be resolved against the party filing the statement by restricting the party to its effective filing date or to the latest date of a period alleged in the preliminary statement, as may be appropriate. A party may not correct a preliminary statement except as provided by � 1.628.

(b) Evidence which shows that an act alleged in the preliminary statement occurred prior to the date alleged in the statement shall establish only that the act occurred as early as the date alleged in the statement.

(c) If a party does not file a preliminary statement, the party:

(1) Shall be restricted to the party's effective filing date and

(2) Will not be permitted to prove that:

(i) The party made the invention prior to the party's filing date or

(ii) Any opponent derived the invention from the party.

(d) If a party files a preliminary statement which contains an allegation of a date of first drawing or first written description and the party does not file a copy of the first drawing or written description with the preliminary statement as required by � 1.623(c), � 1.624(c), or � 1.625(c), the party will be restricted to the party's effective filing date as to that allegation unless the party complies with � 1.628(b). The content of any drawing or written description submitted with a preliminary statement will not normally be evaluated or considered by the Board.

(e) A preliminary statement shall not be used as evidence on behalf of the party filing the statement.

[49 FR 48455, Dec. 12, 1984; 60 FR 14523, Mar. 17, 1995]

37 C.F.R. � 1.630   Reliance on earlier application.

   A party shall not be entitled to rely on the filing date of an earlier filed application unless the earlier application is identified (� 1.611(c)(5)) in the notice declaring the interference or the party files a preliminary motion under � 1.633 seeking the benefit of the filing date of the earlier application.

[49 FR 48455, Dec. 12, 1984; 60 FR 14524, Mar. 17, 1995]

37 C.F.R. � 1.631   Access to preliminary statement, service of preliminary statement.

(a) Unless otherwise ordered by an administrative patent judge, concurrently with entry of a decision on preliminary motions filed under � 1.633 any preliminary statement filed under � 1.621(a) shall be opened to inspection by the senior party and any junior party who filed a preliminary statement. Within a time set by the administrative patent judge, a party shall serve a copy of its preliminary statement on each opponent who served a notice under � 1.621(b.

(b) A junior party who does not file a preliminary statement shall not have access to the preliminary statement of any other party.

(c) If an interference is terminated before the preliminary statements have been opened, the preliminary statements will remain sealed and will be returned to the respective parties who submitted the statements.

[49 FR 48455, Dec. 12, 1984; 50 FR 23124, May 31, 1985; 60 FR 14524, Mar. 17, 1995]

37 C.F.R. � 1.632   Notice of intent to argue abandonment, suppression or concealment by opponent.

   A notice shall be filed by a party who intends to argue that an opponent has abandoned, suppressed, or concealed an actual reduction to practice (35 U.S.C. 102(g)). A party will not be permitted to argue abandonment, suppression, or concealment by an opponent unless the notice is timely filed. Unless authorized otherwise by an administrative patent judge, a notice is timely when filed within ten (10) days after the close of the testimony-in-chief of the opponent.

[49 FR 48455, Dec. 12, 1984; 60 FR 14524, Mar. 17, 1995]

37 C.F.R. � 1.633   Preliminary motions.

   A party may file the following preliminary motions:

(a) A motion for judgment against an opponent's claim designated to correspond to a count on the ground that the claim is not patentable to the opponent. The motion shall separately address each claim alleged to be unpatentable. In deciding an issue raised in a motion filed under this paragraph (a), a claim will be construed in light of the specification of the application or patent in which it appears. A motion under this paragraph shall not be based on:

(1) Priority of invention by the moving party as against any opponent or

(2) Derivation of the invention by an opponent from the moving party. See � 1.637(a).

(b) A motion for judgment on the ground that there is no interference-in-fact. A motion under this paragraph is proper only if the interference involves a design application or patent or a plant application or patent or no claim of a party which corresponds to a count is identical to any claim of an opponent which corresponds to that count. See � 1.637(a). When claims of different parties are presented in �means plus function� format, it may be possible for the claims of the different parties not to define the same patentable invention even though the claims contain the same literal wording.

(c) A motion to redefine the interfering subject matter by (1) adding or substituting a count, (2) amending an application claim corresponding to a count or adding a claim in the moving party's application to be designated to correspond to a count, (3) designating an application or patent claim to correspond to a count, (4) designating an application or patent claim as not corresponding to a count, or (5) requiring an opponent who is an applicant to add a claim and to designate the claim to correspond to a count. See � 1.637 (a) and (c).

(d) A motion to substitute a different application owned by a party for an application involved in the interference. See � 1.637 (a) and (d).

(e) A motion to declare an additional interference (1) between an additional application not involved in the interference and owned by a party and an opponent's application or patent involved in the interference or (2) when an interference involves three or more parties, between less than all applications and any patent involved in the interference. See � 1.637 (a) and (e).

(f) A motion to be accorded the benefit of the filing date of an earlier filed application. See � 1.637(a) and (f).

(g) A motion to attack the benefit accorded an opponent in the notice declaring the interference of the filing date of an earlier filed application. See � 1.637(a) and (g).

(h) When a patent is involved in an interference and the patentee has on file or files an application for reissue under � 1.171, a motion to add the application for reissue to the interference. See � 1.637 (a) and (h).

(i) When a motion is filed under paragraph (a), (b), or (g) of this section, an opponent, in addition to opposing the motion, may file a motion to redefine the interfering subject matter under paragraph (c) of this section, a motion to substitute a different application under paragraph (d) of this section, or a motion to add a reissue application to the interference under paragraph (h) of this section.

(j) When a motion is filed under paragraph (c)(1) of this section an opponent, in addition to opposing the motion, may file a motion for benefit under paragraph (f) of this section as to the count to be added or substituted.

[49 FR 48455, Dec. 12, 1984; 50 FR 23124, May 31, 1985; 60 FR 14524, Mar. 17, 1995]

37 C.F.R. � 1.634   Motion to correct inventorship.

   A party may file a motion to (a) amend its application involved in an interference to correct inventorship as provided by � 1.48 or (b) correct inventorship of its patent involved in an interference as provided in � 1.324. See � 1.637(a).

[49 FR 48455, Dec. 12, 1984]

37 C.F.R. � 1.635   Miscellaneous motions.

   A party seeking entry of an order relating to any matter other than a matter which may be raised under � 1.633 or � 1.634 may file a motion requesting entry of the order. See � 1.637 (a) and (b).

[49 FR 48455, Dec. 12, 1984]

37 C.F.R. � 1.636   Motions, time for filing.

(a) A preliminary motion under � 1.633(a) through (h) shall be filed within a time period set by an administrative patent judge.

(b) A preliminary motion under � 1.633(i) or (j) shall be filed within 20 days of the service of the preliminary motion under � 1.633(a), (b), (c)(1), or (g) unless otherwise ordered by an administrative patent judge.

(c) A motion under � 1.634 shall be diligently filed after an error is discovered in the inventorship of an application or patent involved in an interference unless otherwise ordered by an administrative patent judge.

(d) A motion under � 1.635 shall be filed as specified in this subpart or when appropriate unless otherwise ordered by an administrative patent judge.

[49 FR 48455, Dec. 12, 1984; 50 FR 23124, May 31, 1985; 60 FR 14524, Mar. 17, 1995]

37 C.F.R. � 1.637   Content of motions.

(a) A party filing a motion has the burden of proof to show that it is entitled to the relief sought in the motion. Each motion shall include a statement of the precise relief requested, a statement of the material facts in support of the motion, in numbered paragraphs, and a full statement of the reasons why the relief requested should be granted. If a party files a motion for judgment under � 1.633(a) against an opponent based on the ground of unpatentability over prior art, and the dates of the cited prior art are such that the prior art appears to be applicable to the party, it will be presumed, without regard to the dates alleged in the preliminary statement of the party, that the cited prior art is applicable to the party unless there is included with the motion an explanation, and evidence if appropriate, as to why the prior art does not apply to the party.

(b) Unless otherwise ordered by an administrative patent judge or the Board, a motion under � 1.635 shall contain a certificate by the moving party stating that the moving party has conferred with all opponents in an effort in good faith to resolve by agreement the issues raised by the motion. The certificate shall indicate whether any opponent plans to oppose the motion. The provisions of this paragraph do not apply to a motion to suppress evidence (� 1.656(h)).

(c) A preliminary motion under � 1.633(c) shall explain why the interfering subject matter should be redefined.

(1) A preliminary motion seeking to add or substitute a count shall:

(i) Propose each count to be added or substituted.

(ii) When the moving party is an applicant, show the patentability to the applicant of all claims in, or proposed to be added to, the party's application which correspond to each proposed count and apply the terms of the claims to the disclosure of the party's application; when necessary a moving party applicant shall file with the motion an amendment adding any proposed claim to the application.

(iii) Identify all claims in an opponent's application which should be designated to correspond to each proposed count; if an opponent's application does not contain such a claim, the moving party shall propose a claim to be added to the opponent's application. The moving party shall show the patentability of any proposed claims to the opponent and apply the terms of the claims to the disclosure of the opponent's application.

(iv) Designate the claims of any patent involved in the interference which define the same patentable invention as each proposed count.

(v) Show that each proposed count defines a separate patentable invention from every other count proposed to remain in the interference.

(vi) Be accompanied by a motion under � 1.633(f) requesting the benefit of the filing date of any earlier filed application, if benefit of the earlier filed application is desired with respect to a proposed count.

(vii) If an opponent is accorded the benefit of the filing date of an earlier filed application in the notice of declaration of the interference, show why the opponent is not also entitled to benefit of the earlier filed application with respect to the proposed count. Otherwise, the opponent will be presumed to be entitled to the benefit of the earlier filed application with respect to the proposed count.

(2) A preliminary motion seeking to amend an application claim corresponding to a count or adding a claim to be designated to correspond to a count shall:

(i) Propose an amended or added claim.

(ii) Show that the claim proposed to be amended or added defines the same patentable invention as the count.

(iii) Show the patentability to the applicant of each claim proposed to be amended or added and apply the terms of the claim proposed to be amended or added to the disclosure of the application; when necessary a moving party applicant shall file with the motion a proposed amendment to the application amending the claim corresponding to the count or adding the proposed additional claim to the application.

(iv) Be accompanied by a motion under � 1.633(f) requesting the benefit of the filing date of any earlier application filed in the United States or abroad.

(3) A preliminary motion seeking to designate an application or patent claim to correspond to a count shall:

(i) Identify the claim and the count.

(ii) Show the claim defines the same patentable invention as another claim whose designation as corresponding to the count the moving party does not dispute.

(iii) Be accompanied by a motion under � 1.633(f) requesting the benefit of the filing date of any earlier application filed in the United States or abroad.

(4) A preliminary motion seeking to designate an application or patent claim as not corresponding to a count shall:

(i) Identify the claim and the count.

(ii) Show that the claim does not defined the same patentable invention as any other claim whose designation in the notice declaring the interference as corresponding to the count the party does not dispute.

(5) A preliminary motion seeking to require an opponent who is an applicant to add a claim and designate the claim as corresponding to a count shall:

(i) Propose a claim to be added by the opponent.

(ii) Show the patentability to the opponent of the claim and apply the terms of the claim to the disclosure of the opponent's application.

(iii) Identify the count to which the claim shall be designated to correspond.

(iv) Show the claim defines the same patentable invention as the count to which it will be designated to correspond.

(d) A preliminary motion under � 1.633(d) to substitute a different application of the moving party shall:

(1) Identify the different application.

(2) Certify that a complete copy of the file of the different application, except for documents filed under � 1.131 or � 1.608, has been served on all opponents.

(3) Show the patentability to the applicant of all claims in, or proposed to be added to, the different application which correspond to each count and apply the terms of the claims to the disclosure of the different application; when necessary the applicant shall file with the motion an amendment adding a claim to the different application.

(4) Be accompanied by a motion under � 1.633(f) requesting the benefit of the filing date of an earlier application filed in the United States or abroad.

(e) A preliminary motion to declare an additional interference under � 1.633(e) shall explain why an additional interference is necessary.

(1) When the preliminary motion seeks an additional interference under � 1.633(e)(1), the motion shall:

(i) Identify the additional application.

(ii) Certify that a complete copy of the file of the additional application, except for documents filed under � 1.131 or � 1.608, has been served on all opponents.

(iii) Propose a count for the additional interference.

(iv) Show the patentability to the applicant of all claims in, or proposed to be added to, the additional application which correspond to each proposed count for the additional interference and apply the terms of the claims to the disclosure of the additional application; when necessary the applicant shall file with the motion an amendment adding any claim to the additional application.

(v) When the opponent is an applicant, show the patentability to the opponent of any claims in, or proposed to be added to, the opponent's application which correspond to the proposed count and apply the terms of the claims to the disclosure of the opponent's application.

(vi) Identify all claims in the opponent's application or patent which should be designated to correspond to each proposed count; if the opponent's application does not contain any such claim, the motion shall propose a claim to be added to the opponent's application.

(vii) Show that each proposed count for the additional interference defines a separate patentable invention from all counts of the interference in which the motion is filed.

(viii) Be accompanied by a motion under � 1.633(f) requesting the benefit of the filing date of an earlier filed application, if benefit is desired with respect to a proposed count.

(ix) If an opponent is accorded the benefit of the filing date of an earlier filed application in the notice of declaration of the interference, show why the opponent is not also entitled to benefit of the earlier filed application with respect to the proposed count. Otherwise, the opponent will be presumed to be entitled to the benefit of the earlier filed application with respect to the proposed count.

(2) When the preliminary motion seeks an additional interference under � 1.633(e)(2), the motion shall:

(i) Identify any application or patent to be involved in the additional interference.

(ii) Propose a count for the additional interference.

(iii) When the moving party is an applicant, show the patentability to the applicant of all claims in, or proposed to be added to, the party's application which correspond to each proposed count and apply the terms of the claims to the disclosure of the party's application; when necessary a moving party applicant shall file with the motion an amendment adding any proposed claim to the application.

(iv) Identify all claims in any opponent's application which should be designated to correspond to each proposed count; if an opponent's application does not contain such a claim, the moving party shall propose a claim to be added to the opponent's application. The moving party shall show the patentability of any proposed claim to the opponent and apply the terms of the claim to the disclosure of the opponent's application.

(v) Designate the claims of any patent involved in the interference which define the same patentable invention as each proposed count.

(vi) Show that each proposed count for the additional interference defines a separate patentable invention from all counts in the interference in which the motion is filed.

(vii) Be accompanied by a motion under � 1.633(f) requesting the benefit of the filing date of an earlier filed application, if benefit is desired with respect to a proposed count.

(viii) If an opponent is accorded the benefit of the filing date of an earlier filed application in the notice of declaration of the interference, show why the opponent is not also entitled to benefit of the earlier filed application with respect to the proposed count. Otherwise, the opponent will be presumed to be entitled to the benefit of the earlier filed application with respect to the proposed count.

(f) A preliminary motion for benefit under � 1.633(f) shall:

(1) Identify the earlier application.

(2) When an earlier application is an application filed in the United States, certify that a complete copy of the file of the earlier application, except for documents filed under � 1.131 or � 1.608, has been served on all opponents. When the earlier application is an application filed in a foreign country, certify that a copy of the application has been served on all opponents. If the earlier filed application is not in English, the requirements of � 1.647 must also be met.

(3) Show that the earlier application constitutes a constructive reduction to practice of each count.

(g) A preliminary motion to attack benefit under � 1.633(g) shall explain, as to each count, why an opponent should not be accorded the benefit of the filing date of the earlier application.

(h) A preliminary motion to add an application for reissue under � 1.633(h) shall:

(1) Identify the application for reissue.

(2) Certify that a complete copy of the file of the application for reissue has been served on all opponents.

(3) Show the patentability of all claims in, or proposed to be added to, the application for reissue which correspond to each count and apply the terms of the claims to the disclosure of the application for reissue; when necessary a moving applicant for reissue shall file with the motion an amendment adding any proposed claim to the application for reissue.

(4) Be accompanied by a motion under � 1.633(f) requesting the benefit of the filing date of any earlier filed application, if benefit is desired.

[49 FR 48455, Dec. 12, 1984; 50 FR 23124, May 31, 1985, as amended at 53 FR 23735, June 23, 1988; 58 FR 49434, Sept. 23, 1993; 60 FR 14524, Mar. 17, 1995]

Continuation: 37 C.F.R. � 1.638   Opposition and reply; time for filing opposition and reply.