How are statutory periods calculated for holidays and weekends?
When calculating statutory periods for patent applications, holidays and weekends are handled as follows:
- If the last day of the period falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or federal holiday within the District of Columbia, the period is extended to the next day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, or federal holiday.
- This extension applies to deadlines for both the USPTO and applicants.
As stated in MPEP 710.01(a): “If the last day of the period for reply falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or federal holiday within the District of Columbia, the period for reply will be extended to the next succeeding secular or business day which is not a Saturday, Sunday, or federal holiday.”
To learn more: