Yes. An applicant can extend the time for three months in total. A two-month request for extension of time to respond to the office action should be filed. An additional one-month extension of time can be filed afterwards or at the time of filing the two-month extension of time.

If you file a request for a two-month extension of time and a one-month extension of time separately, our service fee and the official fee of 2,100 yen are incurred each time such a request is filed. However, if you file both requests at once, the total cost is lower.

However, to extend the time to respond to an office action that is issued after an appeal has been filed, a request for extension of time must be filed for each month of the extension and you can file such a request three times. You may file three requests at one time.

If you file requests for a one-month extension of time separately, our service fee and the official fee of 2,100 yen are incurred each time such a request is filed. However, if you file three such requests at once, the total cost is less expensive.

No. An applicant must file an appeal by the deadline, i.e., within four months from the transmittal of the decision. Any amendment that is to be considered with the appeal must be filed together with the appeal.

Notification of Reasons for Rejection:

Yes. Although a response to the office action must be filed within three months from the date of office action titled “Notification of Reasons for Rejection”, an applicant can extend the time for two months after the deadline by paying a surcharge of 51,000 yen.

However, to respond to an office action that is issued after an appeal has been filed, an applicant cannot extend the time after the deadline.

Decision of Rejection:

No. It is not possible to respond to an office action titled “Decision of Rejection.” An applicant must file an appeal within four months from the forwarding date of the Decision of Rejection.