What is NOT a valid reason for requesting an acceleration of patent examination for free?

A request for accelerated examination of a patent application can be made for a variety of humanitarian and practical reasons as outlined in the USPTO's guidelines. Illness, environmental concerns, and the age of the applicant are all valid motivations that the USPTO recognizes as deserving of special consideration.

Illness could refer to the applicant or an immediate family member needing a faster resolution for medical reasons, allowing them to benefit from patented technology sooner. Environmental concerns often relate to technologies that address urgent issues, such as climate change or pollution, making an expedited review justifiable to promote the public good. The age of the applicant is taken into account similarly, as older individuals may face different urgency or impacts on their ability to utilize the patent, giving a valid reason for faster processing.

In contrast, business strategy does not align with the criteria set by the USPTO for accelerated examination. It typically reflects a commercial decision rather than a pressing humanitarian need or public benefit. Therefore, requesting expedited examination purely based on business strategy does not meet the allowable grounds for such requests, making it the correct choice for the reason that does not qualify for free acceleration.