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11.704 Communication of fields of practice and specialization.

  • (a) A practitioner may communicate the fact that the practitioner does or does not practice in particular fields of law.
  • (b) A registered practitioner under § 11.6(a) who is an attorney may use the designation "Patents," "Patent Attorney," "Patent Lawyer," "Registered Patent Attorney," or a substantially similar designation. A registered practitioner under § 11.6(b) who is not an attorney may use the designation "Patents," "Patent Agent," "Registered Patent Agent," or a substantially similar designation. A registered practitioner under § 11.6(d) who is an attorney may use the designation "Design Patent Attorney." A registered practitioner under § 11.6(d) who is not an attorney may use the designation "Design Patent Agent." Unless authorized by § 11.14(b) , a registered patent agent or design patent agent shall not hold themself out as being qualified or authorized to practice before the Office in trademark matters or before a court.
  • (c) [Reserved]
  • (d) A practitioner shall not state or imply that a practitioner is certified as a specialist in a particular field of law, unless:
    • (1) The practitioner has been certified as a specialist by an organization that has been approved by an appropriate state authority or that has been accredited by the American Bar Association; and
    • (2) The name of the certifying organization is clearly identified in the communication.
  • (e) Individuals granted limited recognition may use the designation "Limited Recognition" but may not hold themselves out as being registered.

[Added 78 FR 20180, Apr. 3, 2013, effective May 3, 2013; para. (e) revised, 86 FR 28442, May 26, 2021, effective June 25, 2021; para. (b) revised, 88 FR 78644, Nov. 16, 2023, effective Jan. 2, 2024]