### Question
What does due diligence mean?


### Answer
**Due diligence** has the following meaning in *35 U.S.C. § 156*:

> that degree of attention, continuous directed effort, and timeliness as may reasonably be expected from, and are ordinarily exercised by, a person during a regulatory review period

#### Citation:
  - *35 U.S.C. § 156*
  - Heading: **PART II-PATENTABILITY OF INVENTIONS AND GRANT OF PATENTS > CHAPTER 14-ISSUE OF PATENT**

