MPEP § 710.04 — Two Periods Running (Annotated Rules)
This page consolidates and annotates all enforceable requirements under MPEP § 710.04, including statutory authority, regulatory rules, examiner guidance, and practice notes. It is provided as guidance, with links to the ground truth sources. This is information only, it is not legal advice.
Two Periods Running
This section addresses Two Periods Running.
Source Text from USPTO’s MPEP
This is an exact copy of the MPEP from the USPTO. It is here for your reference to see the section in context.
Official MPEP § 710.04 — Two Periods Running
Source: USPTO710.04 Two Periods Running [R-08.2012]
There sometimes arises a situation where two different periods for reply are running against an application, the one limited by the regular statutory period, the other by the limited period set in a subsequent Office action. The running of the first period is not suspended nor affected by an ex parte limited time action or even by an appeal therefrom. For an exception involving suggested claims, see MPEP Chapter 2300.