MPEP § 704.12 — Replies to a Requirement for Information (Annotated Rules)

§704.12 Replies to a Requirement for Information

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

This page consolidates and annotates all enforceable requirements under MPEP § 704.12, 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.

Replies to a Requirement for Information

This section addresses Replies to a Requirement for Information. Contains: 2 requirements, 1 guidance statement, 1 permission, and 1 other statement.

Key Rules

Topic

Requirement for Information (37 CFR 1.105)

4 rules
MPEP GuidanceRequiredAlways
[mpep-704-12-662da17f37b703eff62ffa7c]
Replies Must Be Complete and Timely
Note:
Responses to information requests must be fully completed within the specified time, including any extensions.

Replies to requirements for information must be complete and filed within the time period set including any extensions. Failure to reply within the time period set will result in the abandonment of the application. All replies for a request for information should be checked for completeness. Any incomplete reply can be completed within the original time period set including any extensions. Supplemental replies filed after the expiration of the original period for reply including any extensions of time must comply with all other rules for submissions of information.

Jump to MPEP SourceRequirement for Information (37 CFR 1.105)Search and Requirements for InformationPatent Term Expiration
MPEP GuidanceInformativeAlways
[mpep-704-12-38b826628f5b873f960176a6]
Reply Within Time Period Required
Note:
Failure to reply within the set time period will result in abandonment of the application.

Replies to requirements for information must be complete and filed within the time period set including any extensions. Failure to reply within the time period set will result in the abandonment of the application. All replies for a request for information should be checked for completeness. Any incomplete reply can be completed within the original time period set including any extensions. Supplemental replies filed after the expiration of the original period for reply including any extensions of time must comply with all other rules for submissions of information.

Jump to MPEP SourceRequirement for Information (37 CFR 1.105)Search and Requirements for InformationPatent Term Expiration
MPEP GuidanceRecommendedAlways
[mpep-704-12-d996441215681f45df0059f9]
Replies Must Be Complete
Note:
All responses to requests for information must be fully completed within the specified time period, including any extensions.

Replies to requirements for information must be complete and filed within the time period set including any extensions. Failure to reply within the time period set will result in the abandonment of the application. All replies for a request for information should be checked for completeness. Any incomplete reply can be completed within the original time period set including any extensions. Supplemental replies filed after the expiration of the original period for reply including any extensions of time must comply with all other rules for submissions of information.

Jump to MPEP SourceRequirement for Information (37 CFR 1.105)Search and Requirements for InformationPatent Term Expiration
MPEP GuidancePermittedAlways
[mpep-704-12-f8bf7a52f7497f9fde03a254]
Incomplete Reply Can Be Completed Within Time Period
Note:
Replies to information requirements must be complete within the set time period, including any extensions.

Replies to requirements for information must be complete and filed within the time period set including any extensions. Failure to reply within the time period set will result in the abandonment of the application. All replies for a request for information should be checked for completeness. Any incomplete reply can be completed within the original time period set including any extensions. Supplemental replies filed after the expiration of the original period for reply including any extensions of time must comply with all other rules for submissions of information.

Jump to MPEP SourceRequirement for Information (37 CFR 1.105)Search and Requirements for InformationPatent Term Expiration
Topic

Patent Term Expiration

1 rules
MPEP GuidanceRequiredAlways
[mpep-704-12-9bdb159ecdaa5e02e4e5a66b]
Supplemental Replies Must Comply With Submission Rules
Note:
Supplemental replies filed after the original period must adhere to all submission rules for information.

Replies to requirements for information must be complete and filed within the time period set including any extensions. Failure to reply within the time period set will result in the abandonment of the application. All replies for a request for information should be checked for completeness. Any incomplete reply can be completed within the original time period set including any extensions. Supplemental replies filed after the expiration of the original period for reply including any extensions of time must comply with all other rules for submissions of information.

Jump to MPEP SourcePatent Term ExpirationPatent TermPeriod for Reply (37 CFR 1.134)

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