---
kind: "section"
citation: "37 C.F.R. § 42.1"
title: "37"
number: "42.1"
heading: "Policy."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/37/42.1"
---

# §42.1. Policy.

- (a) **Scope.** [Part 42](/cfr/37/part42.md) governs proceedings before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board. Sections [1.4](/cfr/37/1.4.md), [1.7](/cfr/37/1.7.md), [1.14](/cfr/37/1.14.md), [1.16](/cfr/37/1.16.md), [1.22](/cfr/37/1.22.md), [1.23](/cfr/37/1.23.md), [1.25](/cfr/37/1.25.md), [1.26](/cfr/37/1.26.md), [1.32](/cfr/37/1.32.md), [1.34](/cfr/37/1.34.md), and [1.36](/cfr/37/1.36.md) of this chapter also apply to proceedings before the Board, as do other sections of [part 1](/cfr/37/part1.md) of this chapter that are incorporated by reference into this part.
- (b) **Construction.** This part shall be construed to secure the just, speedy, and inexpensive resolution of every proceeding.
- (c) **Decorum.** Every party must act with courtesy and decorum in all proceedings before the Board, including in interactions with other parties.
- (d) **Evidentiary standard.** The default evidentiary standard is a preponderance of the evidence.

## Notes

### Authority

Authority: 35 U.S.C. 2(b)(2), 3, 6, 21, 23, 41, 134, 135, 143, 153, 311, 312, 314, 316, 318, 321-326, 328; Pub. L. 112-29, 125 Stat. 284; and Pub. L. 112-274, 126 Stat. 2456.

### Source

Source: 77 FR 48669, Aug. 14, 2012, unless otherwise noted.