Do design or plant patents require maintenance fees?
No, design and plant patents do not require maintenance fees. The MPEP 2501 clearly states:
“No fee may be established for maintaining a design or plant patent in force.”
This means that once a design or plant patent is granted, it remains in force for its full term without the need for periodic maintenance fee payments, unlike utility patents.
To learn more:
Topics:
MPEP 2500 - Maintenance Fees,
MPEP 2501 - Introduction,
Patent Law,
Patent Procedure