Effective August 13, 2026, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) will require applicants and patentees to provide additional information, and pay an additional fee, for certain petitions based on unintentional delays that exceed one year, replacing the current two-year threshold. The updated requirement applies to petitions to revive abandoned applications, accept delayed maintenance fee payments, accept delayed priority or benefit claims, and excuse failures to act in connection with international design applications. According to the USPTO, delays extending beyond one year merit closer examination to determine whether the entire period of delay was truly unintentional. Applicants seeking relief after lengthy delays should be prepared to provide a more detailed explanation supporting their petitions.