Can a protest be submitted anonymously?

This page is an FAQ based on guidance 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.

Yes, a protest can be submitted anonymously. The MPEP 1901.04 states:

“The name of the real party in interest need not be submitted as part of the protest.”

This provision allows individuals or entities to submit protests without revealing their identity. However, it’s important to note that while the protest itself can be anonymous, any evidence or documents submitted with the protest must still meet the USPTO’s requirements for validity and relevance.