# TMEP § 1806: Contacts with Third Parties Regarding Ex Parte Matters

> Federal · Agency guidance · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/TMEP_S1806

## Section

- **Citation:** TMEP § 1806
- **Heading:** Contacts with Third Parties Regarding Ex Parte Matters
- **Jurisdiction:** Federal
- **Kind:** Agency guidance
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** USPTO TMEP / Chapter 1800 - Public Inquiries About Applications and Registrations / TMEP § 1806

## Text

An examining attorney or other USPTO employee may not discuss
the merits of any particular application or registration with a third party.  If a third
party attempts to contact an examining attorney about an ex parte matter, either orally or
in writing, the examining attorney should refer the third party to the Office of the Deputy
Commissioner for Trademark Examination Policy.  See
TMEP §§1715
et seq.
regarding letters of protest.
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## Nearby sections

- [TMEP § 1801 USPTO Personnel May Not Express Opinion on Validity of Registered Trademark](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/TMEP_S1801.md)
- [TMEP § 1801.01 USPTO Personnel Cannot Testify](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/TMEP_S1801.01.md)
- [TMEP § 1802 Congressional and Other Official Inquiries](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/TMEP_S1802.md)
- [TMEP § 1803 Freedom of Information Act Requests](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/TMEP_S1803.md)
- [TMEP § 1804 Inquiries from Members of the Press](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/TMEP_S1804.md)
- [TMEP § 1805 General Inquiries from the Public](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/TMEP_S1805.md)
- [TMEP § 1806 Contacts with Third Parties Regarding Ex Parte Matters](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/TMEP_S1806.md)
- [TMEP § 1807 USPTO Website](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/TMEP_S1807.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/TMEP_S1806. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.