37 C.F.R. Subpart B—Service of Process
Title 37 - Patents, Trademarks, and Copyrights
(a) This subpart sets forth the procedures to be followed when a summons and complaint is served on the Office or on the Director or an employee in his or her official capacity. (b) This subpart is intended, and should be construed, to ensure the efficient administration of the Office and not to impede any legal proceeding. (c) This subpart does not apply to subpoenas, the procedures for which are set out in subpart C. (d) This subpart does not apply to service of process made on an employee personally on matters not related to official business of the Office or to the official responsibilities of the employee. (a) Any summons and complaint to be served in person or by registered or certified mail or as otherwise authorized by law on the Office, on the Director, or on an employee in his or her official capacity, shall be served as indicated in §104.2. (b) Any employee of the Office served with a summons and complaint shall immediately notify, and shall deliver the summons and complaint to, the Office of the General Counsel. (c) Any employee receiving a summons and complaint shall note on the summons and complaint the date, hour, and place of service and whether service was by hand or by mail. (d) When a legal proceeding is brought to hold an employee personally liable in connection with an action taken in the conduct of official business, rather than liable in an official capacity, the employee by law is to be served personally with process. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 4(e). An employee sued personally for an action taken in the conduct of official business shall immediately notify and deliver a copy of the summons and complaint to the General Counsel. (e) An employee sued personally in connection with official business may be represented by the Department of Justice at its discretion (28 CFR 50.15 and 50.16). (f) The Office will only accept service of process for an employee in the employee's official capacity.
Title 37: Patents, Trademarks, and Copyrights
PART 104—LEGAL PROCESSES
Subpart B—Service of Process
§ 104.11 Scope and purpose.
§ 104.12 Acceptance of service of process.
