What actions can a suspended or excluded practitioner take during the 30-day limited recognition period?

What actions can a suspended or excluded practitioner take during the 30-day limited recognition period?

During the 30-day limited recognition period, suspended or excluded practitioners are allowed to perform specific actions to protect their clients’ interests. According to MPEP 407:

“During the 30-day period of limited recognition, the suspended or excluded practitioner may conclude work on behalf of a client on any matters that were pending before the Office on the date of entry of the order of suspension or exclusion.”

Specifically, the practitioner may:

  • Receive and forward correspondence related to pending matters
  • Make appropriate filings to protect the client’s rights
  • Conclude or withdraw from representation in pending proceedings
  • Perform limited actions necessary to transfer the client’s case to another registered practitioner

It’s important to note that this limited recognition does not allow the practitioner to take on new clients or file new patent applications during this period.

Topics: MPEP 400 - Representative of Applicant or Owner, MPEP 407 - Suspended or Excluded Patent Practitioner, Patent Law, Patent Procedure