§ 32. Suspension or exclusion from practice

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The Director may, after notice and opportunity for a hearing, suspend or exclude, either generally or in any particular case, from further practice before the Patent and Trademark Office, any person, agent, or attorney shown to be incompetent or disreputable, or guilty of gross misconduct, or who does not comply with the regulations established under section 2(b)(2)(D), or who shall, by word, circular, letter, or advertising, with intent to defraud in any manner, deceive, mislead, or threaten any applicant or prospective applicant, or other person having immediate or prospective business before the Office.

The reasons for any such suspension or exclusion shall be duly recorded. The Director shall have the discretion to designate any attorney who is an officer or employee of the United States Patent and Trademark Office to conduct the hearing required by this section. A proceeding under this section shall be commenced not later than the earlier of either the date that is 10 years after the date on which the misconduct forming the basis for the proceeding occurred, or 1 year after the date on which the misconduct forming the basis for the proceeding is made known to an officer or employee of the Office as prescribed in the regulations established under section 2(b)(2)(D).

The United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, under such conditions and upon such proceedings as it by its rules determines, may review the action of the Director upon the petition of the person so refused recognition or so suspended or excluded.

(July 19, 1952, ch. 950, 66 Stat. 795; Pub. L. 93–596, § 1, Jan. 2, 1975, 88 Stat. 1949; Pub. L. 106–113, div. B, § 1000(a)(9) [title IV, §§ 4715(c), 4719, 4732(a)(10)(A)], Nov. 29, 1999, 113 Stat. 1536, 1501A–580 to 1501A–582; Pub. L. 107–273, div. C, title III, § 13206(b)(1)(B), Nov. 2, 2002, 116 Stat. 1906; Pub. L. 112–29, §§ 3(k)(1), 9(a), 20(j), Sept. 16, 2011, 125 Stat. 291, 316, 335.)

Historical and Revision Notes

Based on Title 35, U.S.C., 1946 ed., § 11 (R.S. 487, amended Feb. 18, 1922, ch. 58, § 3, 42 Stat. 390).

See note under section 31.

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U.S. Code

§ 32
Suspension or exclusion from practice

statutes-at-large

Public Law 396

CFR

statute-compilations

Sec. 3
FIRST INVENTOR TO FILE

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U.S. Code

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July 19, 1952, ch. 950
66 Stat. 795
Pub. L. 93–596, § 1
88 Stat. 1949
Pub. L. 106–113, div. B, § 1000(a)(9) [title IV, §§ 4715(c), 4719, 4732(a)(10)(A)]
113 Stat. 1536
Pub. L. 107–273, div. C, title III, § 13206(b)(1)(B)
116 Stat. 1906
Pub. L. 112–29
125 Stat. 291
Feb. 18, 1922, ch. 58, § 3
42 Stat. 390
Pub. L. 112–29, § 20(j)
Pub. L. 112–29, § 9(a)
Pub. L. 112–29, § 3(k)(1)
Pub. L. 107–273
Pub. L. 106–113, § 1000(a)(9) [title IV, § 4732(a)(10)(A)]
Pub. L. 106–113, § 1000(a)(9) [title IV, § 4719]
Pub. L. 106–113, § 1000(a)(9) [title IV, § 4715(c)]
Pub. L. 93–596
Pub. L. 112–29, § 3(k)(3)
section 9(a) of Pub. L. 112–29
section 9(b) of Pub. L. 112–29
section 20(j) of Pub. L. 112–29
Pub. L. 106–113
section 4 of Pub. L. 93–596
Pub. L. 112–29, § 3(k)(2)