37 CFR §42.12
Verified against eCFR.gov as of June 20, 2026View official text on eCFR.gov ↗
- (a)The Board may impose a sanction against a party for misconduct, including:
- (1)Failure to comply with an applicable rule or order in the proceeding;
- (2)Advancing a misleading or frivolous argument or request for relief;
- (3)Misrepresentation of a fact;
- (4)Engaging in dilatory tactics;
- (5)Abuse of discovery;
- (6)Abuse of process; or
- (7)Any other improper use of the proceeding, including actions that harass or cause unnecessary delay or an unnecessary increase in the cost of the proceeding.
- (b)Sanctions include entry of one or more of the following:
- (1)An order holding facts to have been established in the proceeding;
- (2)An order expunging or precluding a party from filing a paper;
- (3)An order precluding a party from presenting or contesting a particular issue;
- (4)An order precluding a party from requesting, obtaining, or opposing discovery;
- (5)An order excluding evidence;
- (6)An order providing for compensatory expenses, including attorney fees;
- (7)An order requiring terminal disclaimer of patent term; or
- (8)Judgment in the trial or dismissal of the petition.