Depending on the issues raised, some office actions can be resolved via email or telephone communication with the examining attorney directly. Others might require the submission of a standardized response form. The cost of responding to an office action is free if the necessary forms are used, and the response requirements are met. However, if the response is insufficient, a final office action can be issued, which generally requires legal assistance to overcome. If no response is provided, the registration and all fees paid will be lost.
An office action includes all the issues raised and the necessary steps to overcome them. A legal representative can use this information to estimate the costs associated with successfully overcoming the office action. The office action also features a deadline by which you have to respond; otherwise, the trademark will become abandoned, and you will not be able to continue in the registration process.