Starting on December 3, 2022 the window for filing responses to office actions will be shortened from 6 to 3 months. Applicants will have the option to obtain one three-month extension for a fee of $125. Applications filed pursuant to the Madrid Protocol (Section 66(a) applications) are exempt from this shortened time period.

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) will implement a similar shortened deadline for responses to post-registration office actions (e.g. office actions issued against applications to maintain or renew a trademark registration) on October 6, 2023.