What happens if I miss the deadline for filing a redacted publication request?
If you miss the 16-month deadline for filing a redacted publication request, the USPTO will proceed with publishing the full, unredacted version of your patent application. As stated in MPEP 1132:
“The Office will publish the application as provided in § 1.215(a) unless the applicant files a redacted copy of the application in compliance with this section within sixteen months after the earliest filing date for which a benefit is sought under title 35, United States Code.”
It’s important to note that this deadline is statutory and cannot be waived. The MPEP explicitly states: “The 16-month period is provided by statute (35 U.S.C. 122(b)(2)(B)(v)), and as such, requests for waiver of this 16-month period will be denied.”
To learn more: