Extraordinary Development Prompts USPTO Relief for Applicants and PatenteesIn view of the terrible tragedy currently challenging Japanese citizens, the USPTO has announced today that patentees in patent reexamination may opt to reset their present due dates. (full notice here). The option is available to those inventors, assignees, and associated individuals in the area affected by the unprecedented devastation.Unfortunately, third party requesters in inter partes patent reexamination will still need to submit comments subject to the 30 day response period. Likewise, a requester responding to a patent owner statement in ex parte reexamination must respond on time.  As these response periods are statutory, the USPTO cannot reset this timing. (see last paragraph of the notice).The portion of the notice  relevant to patent reexamination is noted below:

In view of the terrible tragedy currently challenging Japanese citizens, the USPTO has announced today that patentees in patent reexamination may opt to reset their present due dates. (full notice here). The option is available to those inventors, assignees, and associated individuals in the area affected by the unprecedented devastation.

Unfortunately, third party requesters in inter partes patent reexamination will still need to submit comments subject to the 30 day response period. Likewise, a requester responding to a patent owner statement in ex parte reexamination must respond on time.  As these response periods are statutory, the USPTO cannot reset this timing. (see last paragraph of the notice).

The portion of the notice  relevant to patent reexamination is noted below:

Japan notice