37 CFR § 222.16 - Hearings.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t37/s222.16"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "37 CFR § 222.16 - Hearings."
title_number: 37
title_name: "Patents, Trademarks, and Copyrights"
section_number: "222.16"
section_name: "Hearings."
chapter_name: "U.S. COPYRIGHT OFFICE, LIBRARY OF CONGRESS"
subchapter_number: "B"
subchapter_name: "COPYRIGHT CLAIMS BOARD AND PROCEDURES"
part_number: "222"
part_name: "PROCEEDINGS"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-03-24"
last_updated: "2026-03-24"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "17 U.S.C. 702, 1510."
regulatory_source: "87 FR 12865, Mar. 8, 2022, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "222"
---


# 222.16 Hearings.

(a) *Timing.* In any action, the Board may hold a hearing following submission of each party's written direct, response, and reply testimony if it determines that such a hearing is appropriate or advisable. The Board may decide to hold a hearing on its own initiative or after consideration of a request for a hearing from any party.

(b) *Virtual hearings.* All hearings shall be held virtually and may be recorded as deemed necessary by the Board.

(c) *Requesting a hearing.* A request for a hearing on the merits of a case may be included in a party statement, pursuant to § 222.15(e), but may also be submitted following the procedures set forth in § 220.5(a)(1) of this subchapter no later than 7 days after the date by which reply testimony may be submitted under § 222.15(a). The Board, in its sole discretion, shall choose whether to hold a hearing, and may elect to hold a hearing absent a request from a party.

(d) *Content of request.* Any request in a party statement for a hearing on the merits of a case shall consist of a short statement providing the reasons why the party believes the request should be granted.

(e) *Scheduling order.* When the Board determines that a hearing on the merits of a case is appropriate, it will issue an amended scheduling order setting forth the date of the hearing and deadlines for any additional evidence requested by the Board or for a pre-hearing conference, if applicable.

(f) *Close of evidence.* Following a hearing on the merits of a case, no additional written testimony or evidence may be submitted to the Board unless at the Board's specific request or with leave of the Board for good cause shown.

[87 FR 30077, May 17, 2022]