37 CFR § 11.702 — Communications concerning a (MPEP Coverage Index) – BlueIron IP
37 CFR § 11.702 Communications concerning a
Source: Patent Rule (37 CFR)BlueIron Update:
This page consolidates MPEP guidance interpreting 37 CFR § 11.702, including 0 rules from the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure. It is provided as guidance, with links to the ground truth sources. This is information only, it is not legal advice.
Official MPEP § 11.702 — Communications concerning a
Source: USPTOLast Modified: 10/30/2024 08:50:22
11.702 Communications concerning a practitioner’s services: specific rules.
- (a) A practitioner may communicate information regarding the practitioner’s services through any medium.
- (b) A practitioner shall not compensate,
give, or promise anything of value to a person for recommending the
practitioner’s services, except that a practitioner may:
- (1) Pay the reasonable costs of advertisements or communications permitted by this section;
- (2) Pay the usual charges of a legal service plan or a not-for-profit or qualified practitioner referral service;
- (3) Pay for a law practice in accordance with § 11.117 ;
- (4) Refer clients to another
practitioner or a non-practitioner professional pursuant to
an agreement not otherwise prohibited under the USPTO Rules
of Professional Conduct that provides for the other person to
refer clients or customers to the practitioner, if:
- (i) The reciprocal referral agreement is not exclusive, and
- (ii) The client is informed of the existence and nature of the agreement; and
- (5) Give nominal gifts as an expression of appreciation that are neither intended nor reasonably expected to be a form of compensation for recommending a practitioner’s services.
- (c) A practitioner shall not state or imply
that he or she is certified as a specialist in a particular field
of law, unless:
- (1) The practitioner has been certified as a specialist by an organization that has been approved by an appropriate authority of a State or that has been accredited by the American Bar Association, and
- (2) The name of the certifying organization is clearly identified in the communication.
- (d) Any communication made under this section must include the name and contact information of at least one practitioner or law firm responsible for its content.
[Added 78 FR 20180, Apr. 3, 2013, effective May 3, 2013; revised, 86 FR 28442, May 26, 2021, effective June 25, 2021]