15 USC § 1069 - Application of equitable principles in inter partes proceedings

---
identifier: "/us/usc/t15/s1069"
source: "usc"
legal_status: "official_prima_facie"
title: "15 USC § 1069 - Application of equitable principles in inter partes proceedings"
title_number: 15
title_name: "COMMERCE AND TRADE"
section_number: "1069"
section_name: "Application of equitable principles in inter partes proceedings"
chapter_number: 22
chapter_name: "TRADEMARKS"
subchapter_number: "I"
subchapter_name: "THE PRINCIPAL REGISTER"
positive_law: false
currency: "119-84"
last_updated: "2026-04-17"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
source_credit: "(July 5, 1946, ch. 540, title I, § 19, 60 Stat. 434; Pub. L. 93–596, § 1, Jan. 2, 1975, 88 Stat. 1949; Pub. L. 100–667, title I, § 119, Nov. 16, 1988, 102 Stat. 3941.)"
---


# § 1069. Application of equitable principles in inter partes proceedings

In all inter partes proceedings equitable principles of laches, estoppel, and acquiescence, where applicable may be considered and applied.

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**Source Credit**: (July 5, 1946, ch. 540, title I, § 19, 60 Stat. 434; Pub. L. 93–596, § 1, Jan. 2, 1975, 88 Stat. 1949; Pub. L. 100–667, title I, § 119, Nov. 16, 1988, 102 Stat. 3941.)

## Editorial Notes

### Amendments

1988— struck out at end “The provisions of this section shall also govern proceedings heretofore begun in the Patent and Trademark Office and not finally determined.”

1975— substituted “Patent and Trademark Office” for “Patent Office”.

## Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date of 1988 Amendment

Amendment by  effective one year after , see , set out as a note under .

### Effective Date of 1975 Amendment

Amendment by  effective , see , set out as a note under .

### Repeal and Effect on Existing Rights

Repeal of inconsistent provisions, effect of this chapter on pending proceedings and existing registrations and rights under prior acts, see notes set out under .

## Executive Documents

### Transfer of Functions

For transfer of functions of other officers, employees, and agencies of Department of Commerce, with certain exceptions, to Secretary of Commerce, with power to delegate, see Reorg. Plan No. 5 of 1950, §§ 1, 2, eff. , 15 F.R. 3174, , set out in the Appendix to Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.