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Submitting an Initial Patent Application Extension Request

Things to Know Before Submitting an Initial Patent Application Extension Request

An Initial Patent Application Extension Request should be submitted prior to the regulatory deadline.  Requests submitted after this deadline may be rejected.  

An approved Initial Patent Application Extension does not preclude the funding agency from reversing that decision or shortening the requested time frame if they are made of aware of additional relevant facts impacting their decision.  Further, an Initial Patent Application Extension Request (or its approval or denial) does not absolve the Contractor from its obligation to file an initial patent application prior to the end of any statutory period wherein valid patent protection can be obtained in the United States due to a public disclosure.

NOTE: You are required to provide a reason explaining why you are requesting the extension in the "Request Reasons/Comments" field. Supporting Documentation is not necessarily required to submit an Initial Patent Application Extension Request, though it may be requested at the funding agency's discretion.

To submit an Initial Patent Application Extension Request, complete the following steps:

  1. Click the "Add Request" button on the Invention Report.
  2. Select "Initial Patent Extension" as Request Type.
  3. Complete Request Form.
  4. Click the "Save" button.

1. Click the "Add Request" button on the Invention Report

Under the Requests section of the Invention Report, click the "Add Request" button.

Add request screenshot.

2. Select "Initial Patent Extension" as Request Type

After clicking the "Add Request" button, a popup window will open requiring you to select the request type and enter additional information.

Select "Initial Patent Extension" from the pulldown menu.

Add request screenshot.

3. Complete Request Form

Under the "Number of Months Extension" pulldown menu, select the number of months you wish to extend the initial patent extension. You may select up to 12 months.

If you have a support document, click the "Support Document" button to upload.  However, a Support Document is not required to submit this request.

In the "Request Reasons/Comments" field, briefly explain the reason for the Initial Patent Application Extension Request. This is a required field for this request.

4. Click the "Save" button

Click the "Save" button on the popup window.

Administrators at the primary funding agency will be notified of the Initial Patent Application Extension Request. If approved, you will receive a notification indicating the approval. The decision and decision date will be displayed next to the request in the Invention Report.

If the request is rejected, you will receive a notification indicating the rejection. The decision, reason(s) for the rejection, and decision date will be displayed next to the request in the Invention Report.

Created March 30, 2022, Updated July 1, 2022