Which of the following delay reasons is NOT considered for PTA claims?

The reason that is not considered for Patent Term Adjustment (PTA) claims is delays purely due to the applicant's action. PTA is intended to compensate patent applicants for certain delays in the patent examination process that are beyond their control. The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) recognizes specific scenarios where delays occur, such as those involving secrecy orders, successful appeals, and interferences, which directly impact the overall time frame for processing and granting patents.

However, any delay that is solely attributed to an applicant's actions does not qualify for PTA. This includes scenarios where an applicant may have requested extensions or failed to respond to office actions in a timely manner. Such voluntary actions can prolong the prosecution of a patent application, but they do not serve as grounds for extending the patent term through PTA. This understanding is fundamental in distinguishing between delays that warrant additional time and those for which the applicant is responsible.