Can an abandoned patent application be revived after failing to respond within the statutory period?

Source: FAQ (MPEP-Based)BlueIron Update: 2024-09-27

This page is an FAQ based on guidance from the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure. It is provided as guidance, with links to the ground truth sources. This is information only: it is not legal advice.

Yes, an abandoned patent application can potentially be revived even after failing to respond within the statutory period. The MPEP 711.02 provides guidance on this:

“An abandoned application may be revived as a pending application if the delay in prosecution was unintentional.”

To revive an abandoned application, the applicant must:

  • File a petition to revive under 37 CFR 1.137
  • Pay the required petition fee
  • Provide a statement that the entire delay was unintentional
  • Submit the required response to the outstanding Office action

It’s important to note that the revival process can be complex and may require additional fees and documentation.

Tags: abandoned application, Petition To Revive, revival, unintentional delay