Federal regulations require that awardees notify their research sponsor(s) of any decision not to continue the prosecution of a patent application, pay maintenance fees, or defend in a reexamination or opposition proceeding on a patent, in any country, not less than thirty days before the expiration of the response period required by the relevant patent office. The following sections of 37 CFR 401 explain this requirement:
37 CFR 401.2 - Definitions 37 CFR 401.14 - Standard Patent Rights Clauses "Contractor Action"
Law - Notice of Decision Not To Proceed