American Lawyer Lightning Protection

Resigned again due to illegal signature issues

On December 20, 2024, the United States Patent and Trademark Office issued a document titled "Examination and Final Decision on Resignation Statement of a Registered Patent Agent".

The document is 17 pages long, detailing the lawyer's violations during his cooperation with two domestic patent agencies during his practice, the entire investigation process and its response, and the penalties imposed for his violations.

Regarding the accusation of the lawyer's behavior

1、 Illegal signature

Impermeable signatures:The defendant allowed their non practicing assistants to forge their signatures on documents submitted to USPTO, violating USPTO's regulations on patent document signatures.

Failure to Supervise:The defendant failed to establish effective measures to ensure that non practicing assistants comply with USPTO rules and failed to adequately regulate their assistants.

2、 Improper communication with the examiner

Unauthorized Interview Participation:The non practicing assistant of the defendant represented the defendant in the interview with the USPTO examiner, violating the rule that only registered patent agents can communicate with examiners.

3、 Not cooperating with the investigation

Failure to Cooperate:The defendant did not provide complete and truthful information during the OED investigation, including specific cases of signature forgery and travel itineraries, which violated their cooperation obligations.

Summary and Induction of Other Content in the Document

1、 Defendant's statement

Declaration of Resignation:The defendant submitted a resignation statement, acknowledging their understanding of the allegations of OED, but denying any violation of USPTO professional codes of conduct and agreeing to be excluded from USPTO practice based on their consent.

2、 USPTO Decision

Exclusion from Practice:USPTO has decided to accept the defendant's resignation statement and exclude them from USPTO practice based on their agreement, effective from the date of this final decision.

3、 Follow up actions

Public Notice:OED will publish this final decision on its website and issue relevant notices in the Official Gazette.

4、 Supplementary Provisions

Reinstatement Application:If the defendant needs to reapply for professional qualifications, they must comply with the relevant regulations of USPTO on re practicing.