The PTO's Valentine: Rule Changes For Email Addresses And Specimens

*Feb 14, 2020: Edit: Today the US PTO surprised everyone with a lovely Valentine. It revised the examination guide to note that applicants represented by counsel may provide an email address of their choice in the trademark owner email field. Though it may not be identical to the primary correspondence address, it can be an email address created for the purpose by the applicant or the applicant's attorney. This is a bit of relief from the requirement as originally written. Happy Valentine's Day!

Does the United States Patent and Trademark Office (the "PTO") have the upcoming holiday confused with a different holiday? Or maybe the PTO, like some of my friends, celebrates Anti-Valentine's Day? Otherwise, what could explain the timing on the implementation of these new rules, some of which seem like more of an April Fool's Day joke or a Halloween trick than a Valentine's Day treat? On February 15, 2020, the PTO's new examination guide will go into effect in