Sponte sua - Jdsupra (17-3-2020)

(...) For patent applicants or patent owners who were unable to timely reply to an Office communication due to the effects of the coronavirus outbreak, which resulted in the application being held abandoned or the reexamination prosecution terminated or limited, the USPTO will waive the petition fee in 37 CFR 1.17(m) when the patent applicant or patent owner files the reply with a petition under 37 CFR 1.137(a).  See 35 U.S.C. § 41(a)(7).  The inclusion of a copy of this notice with the reply required to the outstanding Office communication will be treated as a representation that the delay in filing the reply was due to the effects of the Coronavirus outbreak, and as a request for sua sponte waiver of the petition fee under 37 CFR 1.17(m).  In addition, the petition under 37 CFR 1.137(a) must include a statement that the delay in filing the reply required to the outstanding Office communication was because the practitioner, applicant, or at least one inventor, was personally affected by the Coronavirus outbreak such that they were unable to file a timely reply. (...)

Fonte | Jdsupra