What happens if an applicant fails to respond to an Office action within the specified time period?

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Source: FAQ (MPEP-Based) BlueIron Update: 2024-09-10 10 Rules 5 Related FAQs 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. If an applicant fails to respond to an Office action within the specified time period, the patent application will become abandoned. According to MPEP 711 : The abandonment of an application is defined as the termination of proceedings thereon due to the failure to file a timely response to an Office action. This means that the application is no longer pending and will not be examined further. However, the applicant may have options to revive the application under certain circumstances. Related Rules from the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure 10 rules Collapse Express Abandonment of Patent Application MPEP 711 Permitted Abandonment of Patent Application MPEP 711 Reply Required Within Time Period Otherwise Abandoned MPEP 711 Abandonment After Non-Final Office Action Deadline MPEP 711.04(a) Permitted New Time Period for Inadvertently Omitted Matter in Reply to Non-Final Office Action MPEP 711 Permitted Declaration Required for Abandonment of Patent Application MPEP 711 Permitted Attorney Can Abandon Prior Patent Application When Filing Continuing Application MPEP 711 Permitted Time Period for Supplying Omitted Matter MPEP 711.03(c) Permitted 3 Month Period After Non-Final Office Action Expiration MPEP 711.04(a) Permitted 3 Month Period After Non-Final Office Action Expired MPEP 711.04(a) Permitted Other Related FAQs 5 FAQs Collapse What happens if an applicant fails to respond to a request for a property rights statement? When is a provisional patent application considered abandoned? What happens to abandoned applications that are later revived? What happens to an application after it becomes abandoned? Can failure to pay the issue fee result in an abandoned patent application?