Earlier this month, the United States Patent and Trademark Office has announced a Diversion Pilot Program that will be implemented by the Office of Enrollment and Discipline. The program is for patent and trademark practitioners and will last two years. The goal of the program is to assist the Office of Enrollment and Discipline in holding practitioners who violate the US Patent and Trademark Office’s ethics and professional standards.
The diversion program will provide those practitioners who were involved in minor misconduct the opportunity to take remedial measures and avoid any formal discipline. According to the announcement by the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the program “will be available to practitioners whose physical, mental, or emotional health issues (including substance or alcohol abuse) or law practice management issues resulted in minor misconduct and little, if any, harm to a client.”
In order to be considered, the conduct must not:
- involve fraud, theft, deceit, or misrepresentation
- constitute a serious crime
- result in prejudice against another party or a client
- be of similar nature to previous misconduct by the practitioner in the last 5 years
It is important to consult with an experienced attorney who can answer any questions about the USPTO’s diversionary pilot program.
The Law Offices of Richard E. Novak, LLC has over 25 years of experience helping clients through tough times. If you need assistance with any intellectual property, traffic violations, or business law matters, our firm is here to help. It is critical that you pick the right attorney who can protect your rights. Contact The Law Offices of Richard E. Novak, LLC for a consultation.