What happens if I fail to file a Notice of Foreign Filing on time?

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.

Failure to file a Notice of Foreign Filing within the required 45-day period results in the abandonment of the U.S. patent application. This consequence is explicitly stated in MPEP 1124 and 35 U.S.C. 122(b)(2)(B)(iii).

According to MPEP 1124:

“35 U.S.C. 122(b)(2)(B)(iii) further provides that failure of the applicant to provide the required notice within this forty-five (45) day period shall result in abandonment of the application.”

If your application becomes abandoned due to failure to file a timely Notice of Foreign Filing, your only recourse is to file a petition to revive the application under 37 CFR 1.137. This petition must be based on unintentional delay and requires payment of a petition fee.

Tags: notice of foreign filing, patent abandonment, Petition To Revive, unintentional delay, USPTO