A [2+5] deadline allows how much time to reply before extension fees apply?

In the context of U.S. patent law, a [2+5] deadline refers to a situation where the applicant has an initial two-month period to respond to a communication from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). If the applicant does not respond within this two-month period, they have the option to request an extension of time that lasts for an additional five months, but this extension is subject to the payment of extension fees.

Therefore, the total timeframe before extension fees apply is accurately represented by the initial two-month period. The applicant must either respond within that two months or be prepared to pay fees if seeking the additional five months. Hence, the correct answer clearly reflects the immediate time available without incurring extra fees, which is two months.

Responses requiring additional time beyond that are dealt with differently; they involve fees and the total time would include the extension. This distinction is vital for managing responses within the established deadlines without incurring extra costs or risking application issues.