[Code of Federal Regulations] [Title 37, Volume 1] [Revised as of July 1, 2002] From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access [CITE: 37CFR2.186] [Page 321] TITLE 37--PATENTS, TRADEMARKS, AND COPYRIGHTS DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE PART 2--RULES OF PRACTICE IN TRADEMARK CASES--Table of Contents Sec. 2.186 Petition to Commissioner to review refusal of renewal. (a) A response to the examiner's initial refusal of the renewal application is required before filing a petition to the Commissioner, unless the examiner directs otherwise. See Sec. 2.184(b) for the deadline for responding to an examiner's Office action. (b) If the examiner maintains the refusal of the renewal application, a petition to the Commissioner to review the refusal may be filed. The petition must be filed within six months of the mailing date of the Office action maintaining the refusal, or the renewal application will be abandoned and the registration will expire. (c) A decision by the Commissioner is necessary before filing an appeal or commencing a civil action in any court. [64 FR 48926, Sept. 8, 1999]