申請人因為天災或其他不可抗拒的原因延遲送件！

美國專利法第21條規範申請日的認定，其中(a)授權專利局局長可於郵務延遲或是緊急事件認定佇留於美國郵務系統的案子的申請案申請日之效力；(b)期限遇假日的認定

[原文]
35 U.S.C. 21 Filing date and day for taking action.
(a)The Director may by rule prescribe that any paper or fee required to be filed in the Patent and Trademark Office will be considered filed in the Office on the date on which it was deposited with the United States Postal Service or would have been deposited with the United States Postal Service but for postal service interruptions or emergencies designated by the Director.
(b)When the day, or the last day, for taking any action or paying any fee in the United States Patent and Trademark Office falls on Saturday, Sunday, or a Federal holiday within the District of Columbia, the action may be taken, or fee paid, on the next succeeding secular or business day.

據此條規定，美國專利局指示，若申請人、發明人因為日本3.11.2011震災影響權利時，可依請求重新發出Office Action，重新計算期限至震災前；如果期限落於震災期間，則可調整或取消其延期費用

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類似，中華民國專利法第17條第2項：『申請人因天災或不可歸責於己之事由延誤法定期間者，於其原因消滅後三十日內得以書面敘明理由向專利專責機關申請回復原狀。但延誤法定期間已逾一年者，不在此限。』
專利局也於日前發出對日因為震災、海嘯等因素造成的延遲做出從寬認定的決定

經濟部智慧財產局 函：專利、商標各項申請案因2011年3月11日日本大地震造成遲誤法定期間者，得申請回復原狀
發文日期：中華民國100年3月14日
發文字號：智法字第10018600170號
主旨：專利、商標各項申請案因2011年3月11日日本大地震造成遲誤法定期間者，得依專利法第17條第2項及同法施行細則第10條或商標法第9條規定申請回復原狀，本局原則上將視個案具體情形從寬認定之。

TIPO announces at Mar. 14, 2011, no.10018600170:
The patent or trademark application may request to be reinstated because of the delay of the statutory period for the application caused by March 11, 2011 earthquake in Japan. TIPO provides special accommodations.

Ron