When does the USPTO send Maintenance Fee Reminders?
According to MPEP 2575, the USPTO does not send Maintenance Fee Reminders until after the grace period has begun:
“Since patentees are expected to maintain their own record and docketing systems and since it is expected that most patentees will pay their maintenance fees during the window period to avoid payment of a surcharge, the Office will not send any reminder notices to the patentee until after the grace period has begun.”
This approach is designed to reduce and simplify the mailing of notices while still giving patentees an opportunity to pay their maintenance fee with a surcharge during the grace period before their patents expire.
To learn more:
Topics:
MPEP 2500 - Maintenance Fees,
MPEP 2575 - Notices,
Patent Law,
Patent Procedure