1709.03 Extraordinary Situation
If a filer does not meet the petition requirements of 37 C.F.R. §2.147(a) or (b) for requesting acceptance of a paper submission, the filer may petition the Director based on an extraordinary situation. See 37 C.F.R. §2.147(c) (citing 37 C.F.R. §2.146(a)(5) ). In such a case, the filer would request a waiver of 37 C.F.R. §2.21(a) or §2.23(a), and include a statement and/or evidence establishing the extraordinary situation that prevented the filer from filing using TEAS. See 37 C.F.R. §2.146(c).
The USPTO decides these petitions on a case-by-case basis; assessing what would qualify as an extraordinary situation depends on the unique facts and evidence presented. The inability to file electronically due to USPTO regularly scheduled system maintenance generally does not qualify for relief as an extraordinary situation under 37 C.F.R. §2.146(c). See TMEP §1708 for more information.
Petition requirements. The petition must include the paper submission, a statement of the facts relevant to the petition supported by a declaration under 37 C.F.R. §2.20 or 28 U.S.C. §1746, the fee for a petition submitted on paper, and any other required fee for the relevant document submitted on paper. See 37 C.F.R. §2.146(c).