MPEP § 710.02 — Shortened Statutory Period and Time Limit Actions Computed (Annotated Rules)
§710.02 Shortened Statutory Period and Time Limit Actions Computed
This page consolidates and annotates all enforceable requirements under MPEP § 710.02, 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.
Shortened Statutory Period and Time Limit Actions Computed
This section addresses Shortened Statutory Period and Time Limit Actions Computed. Primary authority: 35 U.S.C. 133), 35 U.S.C. 133, and 35 U.S.C. 2. Contains: 1 requirement, 1 permission, and 2 other statements.
Key Rules
Extension Limits
(b) When a reply cannot be filed within the time period set for such reply and the provisions of paragraph (a) of this section are not available, the period for reply will be extended only for sufficient cause and for a reasonable time specified. Any request for an extension of time under this paragraph must be filed on or before the day on which such reply is due, but the mere filing of such a request will not effect any extension under this paragraph. In no situation can any extension carry the date on which reply is due beyond the maximum time period set by statute. Any request under this paragraph must be accompanied by the petition fee set forth in § 1.17(g).
In other situations, for example, the rejection of a copied patent claim, the examiner may require applicant to reply on or before a specified date. These are known as time limit actions and are established under authority of 35 U.S.C. 2 and 35 U.S.C. 3. Some situations in which time limits are set are noted in MPEP § 710.02(c). The time limit requirement should be typed in capital letters where required.
In other situations, for example, the rejection of a copied patent claim, the examiner may require applicant to reply on or before a specified date. These are known as time limit actions and are established under authority of 35 U.S.C. 2 and 35 U.S.C. 3. Some situations in which time limits are set are noted in MPEP § 710.02(c). The time limit requirement should be typed in capital letters where required.
Petition-Based Extension (1.136(b))
(b) When a reply cannot be filed within the time period set for such reply and the provisions of paragraph (a) of this section are not available, the period for reply will be extended only for sufficient cause and for a reasonable time specified. Any request for an extension of time under this paragraph must be filed on or before the day on which such reply is due, but the mere filing of such a request will not effect any extension under this paragraph. In no situation can any extension carry the date on which reply is due beyond the maximum time period set by statute. Any request under this paragraph must be accompanied by the petition fee set forth in § 1.17(g).
Automatic Extension (1.136(a))
(b) When a reply cannot be filed within the time period set for such reply and the provisions of paragraph (a) of this section are not available, the period for reply will be extended only for sufficient cause and for a reasonable time specified. Any request for an extension of time under this paragraph must be filed on or before the day on which such reply is due, but the mere filing of such a request will not effect any extension under this paragraph. In no situation can any extension carry the date on which reply is due beyond the maximum time period set by statute. Any request under this paragraph must be accompanied by the petition fee set forth in § 1.17(g).
Mailing Date Determination
(c) If an applicant is notified in a “Notice of Allowability” that an application is otherwise in condition for allowance, the following time periods are not extendable if set in the “Notice of Allowability” or in an Office action having a mail date on or after the mail date of the “Notice of Allowability”:
- (1) The period for submitting the inventor’s oath or declaration;
- (2) The period for submitting formal drawings set under § 1.85(c); and
- (3) The period for making a deposit set under § 1.809(c).
Civil Action
(d) See § 1.550(c) for extensions of time in ex parte reexamination proceedings, § 1.956 for extensions of time in inter partes reexamination proceedings; §§ 41.4(a) and 41.121(a)(3) of this chapter for extensions of time in contested cases before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board; § 42.5(c) of this chapter for extensions of time in trials before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board; and § 90.3 of this chapter for extensions of time to appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit or to commence a civil action.
Extension of Time (37 CFR 1.136)
In other situations, for example, the rejection of a copied patent claim, the examiner may require applicant to reply on or before a specified date. These are known as time limit actions and are established under authority of 35 U.S.C. 2 and 35 U.S.C. 3. Some situations in which time limits are set are noted in MPEP § 710.02(c). The time limit requirement should be typed in capital letters where required.
Response Time Periods
Shortened statutory periods are subject to the provisions of 37 CFR 1.136(a) unless applicant is notified otherwise in an Office action. See MPEP § 710.02(e) for a discussion of extensions of time. See Chapter 2200 for ex parte reexamination proceedings and Chapter 2600 for inter partes reexamination proceedings.
Ex Parte Reexamination
Shortened statutory periods are subject to the provisions of 37 CFR 1.136(a) unless applicant is notified otherwise in an Office action. See MPEP § 710.02(e) for a discussion of extensions of time. See Chapter 2200 for ex parte reexamination proceedings and Chapter 2600 for inter partes reexamination proceedings.
Citations
| Primary topic | Citation |
|---|---|
| – | 35 U.S.C. § 133 |
| Extension Limits Extension of Time (37 CFR 1.136) | 35 U.S.C. § 2 |
| Extension Limits Extension of Time (37 CFR 1.136) | 35 U.S.C. § 3 |
| – | 35 U.S.C. § 41(a)(8) |
| – | 37 CFR § 1.136 |
| Ex Parte Reexamination Response Time Periods | 37 CFR § 1.136(a) |
| Automatic Extension (1.136(a)) Extension Limits Petition-Based Extension (1.136(b)) | 37 CFR § 1.17(g) |
| Civil Action | 37 CFR § 1.550(c) |
| Mailing Date Determination | 37 CFR § 1.809(c) |
| Mailing Date Determination | 37 CFR § 1.85(c) |
| Civil Action | 37 CFR § 1.956 |
| Civil Action | 37 CFR § 41.4(a) |
| Civil Action | 37 CFR § 42.5(c) |
| Civil Action | 37 CFR § 90.3 |
| – | MPEP § 710.02(b) |
| Extension Limits Extension of Time (37 CFR 1.136) | MPEP § 710.02(c) |
| Ex Parte Reexamination Response Time Periods | MPEP § 710.02(e) |
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 § 710.02 — Shortened Statutory Period and Time Limit Actions Computed
Source: USPTO710.02 Shortened Statutory Period and Time Limit Actions Computed [R-07.2015]
37 CFR 1.136 Extensions of time.
- (a)
- (1) If an applicant is required to reply within a
nonstatutory or shortened statutory time period, applicant may extend the
time period for reply up to the earlier of the expiration of any maximum
period set by statute or five months after the time period set for reply,
if a petition for an extension of time and the fee set in §
1.17(a) are filed,
unless:
- (i) Applicant is notified otherwise in an Office action;
- (ii) The reply is a reply brief submitted pursuant to § 41.41 of this title;
- (iii) The reply is a request for an oral hearing submitted pursuant to § 41.47(a) of this title;
- (iv) The reply is to a decision by the Patent Trial and Appeal Board pursuant to § 41.50 or § 41.52 of this chapter or to § 90.3 of this chapter; or
- (v) The application is involved in a contested case (§ 41.101(a) of this title) or a derivation proceeding (§ 42.4(b) of this title).
- (2) The date on which the petition and the fee have been filed is the date for purposes of determining the period of extension and the corresponding amount of the fee. The expiration of the time period is determined by the amount of the fee paid. A reply must be filed prior to the expiration of the period of extension to avoid abandonment of the application (§ 1.135), but in no situation may an applicant reply later than the maximum time period set by statute, or be granted an extension of time under paragraph (b) of this section when the provisions of paragraph (a) of this section are available.
- (3) A written request may be submitted in an application that is an authorization to treat any concurrent or future reply, requiring a petition for an extension of time under this paragraph for its timely submission, as incorporating a petition for extension of time for the appropriate length of time. An authorization to charge all required fees, fees under § 1.17, or all required extension of time fees will be treated as a constructive petition for an extension of time in any concurrent or future reply requiring a petition for an extension of time under this paragraph for its timely submission. Submission of the fee set forth in § 1.17(a) will also be treated as a constructive petition for an extension of time in any concurrent reply requiring a petition for an extension of time under this paragraph for its timely submission.
- (1) If an applicant is required to reply within a
nonstatutory or shortened statutory time period, applicant may extend the
time period for reply up to the earlier of the expiration of any maximum
period set by statute or five months after the time period set for reply,
if a petition for an extension of time and the fee set in §
1.17(a) are filed,
unless:
- (b) When a reply cannot be filed within the time period set for such reply and the provisions of paragraph (a) of this section are not available, the period for reply will be extended only for sufficient cause and for a reasonable time specified. Any request for an extension of time under this paragraph must be filed on or before the day on which such reply is due, but the mere filing of such a request will not effect any extension under this paragraph. In no situation can any extension carry the date on which reply is due beyond the maximum time period set by statute. Any request under this paragraph must be accompanied by the petition fee set forth in § 1.17(g).
- (c) If an applicant is notified in a “Notice of Allowability” that an application is otherwise in condition for allowance, the following time periods are not extendable if set in the “Notice of Allowability” or in an Office action having a mail date on or after the mail date of the “Notice of Allowability”:
- (d) See § 1.550(c) for extensions of time in ex parte reexamination proceedings, § 1.956 for extensions of time in inter partes reexamination proceedings; §§ 41.4(a) and 41.121(a)(3) of this chapter for extensions of time in contested cases before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board; § 42.5(c) of this chapter for extensions of time in trials before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board; and § 90.3 of this chapter for extensions of time to appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit or to commence a civil action.
37 CFR 1.136 implements 35 U.S.C. 41(a)(8) which directs the Director of the USPTO to charge fees for extensions of time to take action in patent applications.
Under 37 CFR 1.136 (35 U.S.C. 133) an applicant may be required to reply in a shorter period than 6 months, not less than 30 days. Some situations in which shortened periods for reply are used are listed in MPEP § 710.02(b).
In other situations, for example, the rejection of a copied patent claim, the examiner may require applicant to reply on or before a specified date. These are known as time limit actions and are established under authority of 35 U.S.C. 2 and 35 U.S.C. 3. Some situations in which time limits are set are noted in MPEP § 710.02(c). The time limit requirement should be typed in capital letters where required.
An indication of a shortened time for reply should appear prominently on the first page of all copies of actions in which a shortened time for reply has been set so that a person merely scanning the action can easily see it.
Shortened statutory periods are subject to the provisions of 37 CFR 1.136(a) unless applicant is notified otherwise in an Office action. See MPEP § 710.02(e) for a discussion of extensions of time. See Chapter 2200 for ex parte reexamination proceedings and Chapter 2600 for inter partes reexamination proceedings.