MPEP § 2913 — Relief from Prescribed Time Limits (Annotated Rules)

§2913 Relief from Prescribed Time Limits

USPTO MPEP version: BlueIron's Update: 2025-12-31

This page consolidates and annotates all enforceable requirements under MPEP § 2913, 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.

Relief from Prescribed Time Limits

This section addresses Relief from Prescribed Time Limits. Primary authority: 35 U.S.C. 387, 35 U.S.C. 120, and 37 CFR 1.1051. Contains: 6 requirements, 2 permissions, and 1 other statement.

Key Rules

Topic

Mandatory Application Elements

4 rules
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-2913-5593991c83eaf713006fe166]
Terminal Disclaimer Required for Unintentional Delay in International Design Application
Note:
A terminal disclaimer and fee are required if there was an unintentional delay in acting within prescribed time limits under the Hague Agreement for international design applications.

(a) If the delay in an applicant's failure to act within prescribed time limits under the Hague Agreement in connection with requirements pertaining to an international design application was unintentional, a petition may be filed pursuant to this section to excuse the failure to act as to the United States. A grantable petition pursuant to this section must be accompanied by:

(6) A terminal disclaimer (and fee as set forth in § 1.20(d)) required pursuant to paragraph (d) of this section.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.1051Mandatory Application ElementsTerminal Disclaimer for DesignsInternational Design Application Fees
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-2913-7c1f76bc968de74fd8db1b1f]
Reply Required for International Design Application
Note:
Respond with either a continuing application filing or a grantable petition based on the international design application's status.
(c) Reply. The reply required may be:
  • (1) The filing of a continuing application. If the international design application has not been subject to international registration, the reply must also include a grantable petition under § 1.1023(b) to accord the international design application a filing date; or
  • (2) A grantable petition under § 1.1052, where the international design application was filed with the Office as an office of indirect filing.
Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.1051Mandatory Application ElementsResponse to RefusalContents of Application
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-2913-549209e28e1b5963444b0211]
Petition for Relief from Time Limits Must Include Specific Elements
Note:
The petition to excuse failure to act within prescribed time limits must include a copy of the invitation, reply, fee, certified application copy, unintentional delay statement, and terminal disclaimer.

Pursuant to 35 U.S.C. 387, 37 CFR 1.1051 sets forth a petition procedure to excuse, with respect to the United States, an applicant’s failure to act within prescribed time limits under the Hague Agreement in connection with requirements pertaining to an international design application where the delay in applicant’s failure to act was unintentional. The petition must be accompanied by: (1) a copy of any invitation sent from the International Bureau setting a prescribed time limit for which applicant failed to timely act; (2) the reply required under 37 CFR 1.1051(c), unless previously filed; (3) the fee as set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(m); (4) a certified copy of the originally filed international design application, unless a copy of the international design application was previously communicated to the Office from the International Bureau or the international design application was filed with the USPTO as an office of indirect filing; (5) a statement that the entire delay in filing the required reply from the due date for the reply until the filing of a grantable petition pursuant to this paragraph was unintentional; and (6) a terminal disclaimer (and fee as set forth in 37 CFR 1.20(d)) required pursuant to 37 CFR 1.1051(d). The Director may require additional information where there is a question whether the delay was unintentional.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.1051Mandatory Application ElementsTerminal Disclaimer for DesignsHague Definitions
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-2913-1a6592d018d53487ce268402]
Reply Required for Grantable Petitions Under 37 CFR 1.1051(a)
Note:
The reply required for a grantable petition under 37 CFR 1.1051(a) may involve filing a continuing application or a grantable petition to accord the international design application a filing date.

Pursuant to 37 CFR 1.1051(c), the “reply” required for a grantable petition under 37 CFR 1.1051(a) may be: (1) the filing of a continuing application and, if the international design application has not been subject to international registration, a grantable petition under 37 CFR 1.1023(b) to accord the international design application a filing date; or (2) a grantable petition under 37 CFR 1.1052, where the international design application was filed with the Office as an office of indirect filing. See MPEP § 2914.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.1051(c)Mandatory Application ElementsHague DefinitionsResponse to Refusal
Topic

Terminal Disclaimer for Designs

3 rules
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-2913-6491a58a8065d1427e53c97a]
Terminal Part of Patent Term Dedication Required
Note:
A petition for relief from time limits must include a terminal disclaimer dedicating a part of the patent term to the public, equivalent to the period between missed and timely responses.

(d) Terminal disclaimer. Any petition pursuant to this section must be accompanied by a terminal disclaimer and fee as set forth in § 1.321 dedicating to the public a terminal part of the term of any patent granted thereon equivalent to the period beginning on the due date for the reply for which applicant failed to timely act and ending on the date of filing of the reply required under paragraph (c) of this section and must also apply to any patent granted on a continuing design application that contains a specific reference under 35 U.S.C. 120, 121, 365(c), or 386(c) to the application for which relief under this section is sought.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.321Terminal Disclaimer for DesignsDesign Double PatentingDesign Benefit Claims
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-2913-adb8a5cae18b8e616307981c]
Terminal Disclaimer for Design Patents
Note:
A petition seeking relief from a time limit must include a terminal disclaimer dedicating a part of the patent term to the public and a fee.

(d) Terminal disclaimer. Any petition pursuant to this section must be accompanied by a terminal disclaimer and fee as set forth in § 1.321 dedicating to the public a terminal part of the term of any patent granted thereon equivalent to the period beginning on the due date for the reply for which applicant failed to timely act and ending on the date of filing of the reply required under paragraph (c) of this section and must also apply to any patent granted on a continuing design application that contains a specific reference under 35 U.S.C. 120, 121, 365(c), or 386(c) to the application for which relief under this section is sought.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.321Terminal Disclaimer for DesignsDesign Benefit ClaimsNo Maintenance Fees for Designs
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-2913-b97159ef3370a3ea88fe7fb0]
Terminal Disclaimer and Fee for Design Patents
Note:
A petition to relieve a time limit must include a terminal disclaimer dedicating part of the patent term to the public, along with fees.

Pursuant to 37 CFR 1.1051(d), any petition under 37 CFR 1.1051(a) must be accompanied by a terminal disclaimer and fee as set forth in 37 CFR 1.321 dedicating to the public a terminal part of the term of any patent granted thereon equivalent to the period beginning on the due date for the reply for which applicant failed to timely act and ending on the date of filing of the reply required and must also apply to any patent granted on a continuing design application that contains a specific reference under 35 U.S.C. 120, 121, 365(c), or 386(c) to the application for which relief under 37 CFR 1.1051 is sought.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.1051(d)Terminal Disclaimer for DesignsDesign Benefit ClaimsNo Maintenance Fees for Designs
Topic

Hague Definitions

2 rules
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-2913-8f59ac2c939bb45326441e63]
Petition to Excuse Unintentional Delay in Design Application
Note:
A petition may be filed to excuse an unintentional delay in acting on requirements under the Hague Agreement for international design applications, subject to specific documentation and fee requirements.
(a) If the delay in an applicant's failure to act within prescribed time limits under the Hague Agreement in connection with requirements pertaining to an international design application was unintentional, a petition may be filed pursuant to this section to excuse the failure to act as to the United States. A grantable petition pursuant to this section must be accompanied by:
  • (1) A copy of any invitation sent from the International Bureau setting a prescribed time limit for which applicant failed to timely act;
  • (2) The reply required under paragraph (c) of this section, unless previously filed;
  • (3) The fee as set forth in § 1.17(m);
  • (4) A certified copy of the originally filed international design application, unless a copy of the international design application was previously communicated to the Office from the International Bureau or the international design application was filed with the Office as an office of indirect filing, and a translation thereof into the English language if it was filed in another language;
  • (5) A statement that the entire delay in filing the required reply from the due date for the reply until the filing of a grantable petition pursuant to this paragraph was unintentional. The Director may require additional information where there is a question whether the delay was unintentional; and
  • (6) A terminal disclaimer (and fee as set forth in § 1.20(d)) required pursuant to paragraph (d) of this section.
Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.1051Hague DefinitionsDesignation of United StatesBasic Hague Agreement Principles
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-2913-c227288d746e9dae3fca5fe8]
Petition to Excuse Design Application Time Limit Delay
Note:
This rule outlines the procedure for filing a petition to excuse an unintentional delay in responding to time limits set by the Hague Agreement for international design applications.

Pursuant to 35 U.S.C. 387, 37 CFR 1.1051 sets forth a petition procedure to excuse, with respect to the United States, an applicant’s failure to act within prescribed time limits under the Hague Agreement in connection with requirements pertaining to an international design application where the delay in applicant’s failure to act was unintentional. The petition must be accompanied by: (1) a copy of any invitation sent from the International Bureau setting a prescribed time limit for which applicant failed to timely act; (2) the reply required under 37 CFR 1.1051(c), unless previously filed; (3) the fee as set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(m); (4) a certified copy of the originally filed international design application, unless a copy of the international design application was previously communicated to the Office from the International Bureau or the international design application was filed with the USPTO as an office of indirect filing; (5) a statement that the entire delay in filing the required reply from the due date for the reply until the filing of a grantable petition pursuant to this paragraph was unintentional; and (6) a terminal disclaimer (and fee as set forth in 37 CFR 1.20(d)) required pursuant to 37 CFR 1.1051(d). The Director may require additional information where there is a question whether the delay was unintentional.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.1051Hague DefinitionsDesignation of United StatesBasic Hague Agreement Principles
Topic

Relief from Time Limits

2 rules
StatutoryPermittedAlways
[mpep-2913-ad8a585d03f6acefd743bd80]
Extension of Time Period for Reconsideration
Note:
This rule allows for extending the time period to request reconsideration if a decision does not indicate otherwise, under §1.136.

(b) Any request for reconsideration or review of a decision refusing to excuse the applicant’s failure to act within prescribed time limits in connection with requirements pertaining to an international design application upon petition filed pursuant to this section, to be considered timely, must be filed within two months of the decision refusing to excuse or within such time as set in the decision. Unless a decision indicates otherwise, this time period may be extended under the provisions of § 1.136.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.136Relief from Time LimitsInternational Design ApplicationsApplicant Requirements
StatutoryPermittedAlways
[mpep-2913-1921476f890a5177a82448c7]
Director May Require More Info on Unintentional Delay
Note:
The Director can ask for more details if there's a question about whether the delay in filing was unintentional.

Pursuant to 35 U.S.C. 387, 37 CFR 1.1051 sets forth a petition procedure to excuse, with respect to the United States, an applicant’s failure to act within prescribed time limits under the Hague Agreement in connection with requirements pertaining to an international design application where the delay in applicant’s failure to act was unintentional. The petition must be accompanied by: (1) a copy of any invitation sent from the International Bureau setting a prescribed time limit for which applicant failed to timely act; (2) the reply required under 37 CFR 1.1051(c), unless previously filed; (3) the fee as set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(m); (4) a certified copy of the originally filed international design application, unless a copy of the international design application was previously communicated to the Office from the International Bureau or the international design application was filed with the USPTO as an office of indirect filing; (5) a statement that the entire delay in filing the required reply from the due date for the reply until the filing of a grantable petition pursuant to this paragraph was unintentional; and (6) a terminal disclaimer (and fee as set forth in 37 CFR 1.20(d)) required pursuant to 37 CFR 1.1051(d). The Director may require additional information where there is a question whether the delay was unintentional.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.1051Relief from Time LimitsMandatory Application ElementsTerminal Disclaimer for Designs
Topic

Petition Procedures (MPEP 1002)

2 rules
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-2913-cd25e1bd08e82cc50e11d6ec]
Reconsideration of Refused Petitions Must Be Filed Within Two Months
Note:
If a petition under 37 CFR 1.1051(a) is refused, the request for reconsideration must be filed within two months or as specified by the Office.

Where a petition under 37 CFR 1.1051(a) is refused by the Office, any request for reconsideration or review of the decision must be filed within two months of the decision or within such time as set in the decision. Unless the decision indicates otherwise, the two-month time period may be extended under the provisions of 37 CFR 1.136. See 37 CFR 1.1051(b).

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.1051(a)Petition Procedures (MPEP 1002)Director Authority and Petitions (MPEP 1000)
StatutoryPermittedAlways
[mpep-2913-0b9932ef74202e861fbdd477]
Petition for Time Extension Under 37 CFR 1.136
Note:
A petition for extending the two-month time period must be filed under 37 CFR 1.136 unless the decision specifies otherwise.

Where a petition under 37 CFR 1.1051(a) is refused by the Office, any request for reconsideration or review of the decision must be filed within two months of the decision or within such time as set in the decision. Unless the decision indicates otherwise, the two-month time period may be extended under the provisions of 37 CFR 1.136. See 37 CFR 1.1051(b).

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.1051(a)Petition Procedures (MPEP 1002)Director Authority and Petitions (MPEP 1000)
Topic

Designation of United States

1 rules
StatutoryPermittedAlways
[mpep-2913-f5db472eb73d64ad724e652b]
Unintentional Delay Excused for Design Applications to US
Note:
An applicant can be excused from missing time limits for a design application if the delay was unintentional, subject to Director's approval and payment of a specified fee.

An applicant’s failure to act within prescribed time limits in connection with requirements pertaining to an international design application may be excused as to the United States upon a showing satisfactory to the Director of unintentional delay and under such conditions, including a requirement for payment of the fee specified in section 41(a)(7), as may be prescribed by the Director.

Jump to MPEP SourceDesignation of United StatesInternational Design Application FeesInternational Design Application Filing
Topic

International Design Applications

1 rules
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-2913-b17e0db7ad1d033cd69c6c91]
Request for Reconsideration of Time Limit Refusal Must Be Timely
Note:
A request to reconsider a decision refusing to excuse an applicant's failure to meet time limits for international design applications must be filed within two months or as specified in the decision.

(b) Any request for reconsideration or review of a decision refusing to excuse the applicant’s failure to act within prescribed time limits in connection with requirements pertaining to an international design application upon petition filed pursuant to this section, to be considered timely, must be filed within two months of the decision refusing to excuse or within such time as set in the decision. Unless a decision indicates otherwise, this time period may be extended under the provisions of § 1.136.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.136International Design ApplicationsRelief from Time LimitsApplicant Requirements
Topic

International Design Examination

1 rules
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-2913-2de554c8b5a0c4c9d64c835f]
Petition Required for International Design Application Filed Indirectly
Note:
A grantable petition under §1.1052 is required when an international design application was filed with the Office as an office of indirect filing.

(c) Reply. The reply required may be:

(2) A grantable petition under § 1.1052, where the international design application was filed with the Office as an office of indirect filing.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.1051International Design ExaminationInternational Design Application RequirementsInternational Design Applications

Citations

Primary topicCitation
Terminal Disclaimer for Designs35 U.S.C. § 120
Hague Definitions
Mandatory Application Elements
Relief from Time Limits
35 U.S.C. § 387
Mandatory Application Elements37 CFR § 1.1023(b)
Hague Definitions
Mandatory Application Elements
Relief from Time Limits
Terminal Disclaimer for Designs
37 CFR § 1.1051
Mandatory Application Elements
Petition Procedures (MPEP 1002)
Terminal Disclaimer for Designs
37 CFR § 1.1051(a)
Petition Procedures (MPEP 1002)37 CFR § 1.1051(b)
Hague Definitions
Mandatory Application Elements
Relief from Time Limits
37 CFR § 1.1051(c)
Hague Definitions
Mandatory Application Elements
Relief from Time Limits
Terminal Disclaimer for Designs
37 CFR § 1.1051(d)
International Design Examination
Mandatory Application Elements
37 CFR § 1.1052
International Design Applications
Petition Procedures (MPEP 1002)
Relief from Time Limits
37 CFR § 1.136
Hague Definitions
Mandatory Application Elements
Relief from Time Limits
37 CFR § 1.17(m)
Hague Definitions
Mandatory Application Elements
Relief from Time Limits
37 CFR § 1.20(d)
Terminal Disclaimer for Designs37 CFR § 1.321
Mandatory Application ElementsMPEP § 2914

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.

BlueIron Last Updated: 2025-12-31