1712.02(b)(ii) Standard of Review
Under 37 C.F.R. §2.146(a)(5) and §2.148, the Director may waive any provision of the rules that is not a provision of the statute, only when an extraordinary situation exists, justice requires, and no other party is injured. See TMEP §1708 for further discussion of conditions for waiver of rules. The unintentional delay standard of 37 C.F.R. §2.66 does not apply to registrations; it applies only to pending applications. TMEP §1714.01(f)(ii)(D).
If the registrant did not receive notification of an Office action refusing to accept an affidavit or renewal application, the petition should include a clear statement that the Office action was not received, a statement of facts outlining why the situation is extraordinary, and a complete response to the Office action. 37 C.F.R §§2.146(a)(5) and (c)(1).