What is the significance of the issue fee payment date?

The issue fee payment date is significant for several reasons:

• It determines the patent term adjustment under 35 U.S.C. 154(b).
• The patent will be issued approximately four weeks after the issue fee payment date.
• It affects the timing of maintenance fee payments for utility patents.

MPEP 1306 notes: “The date of payment of the issue fee is the date of deposit with the United States Postal Service of the issue fee payment or the date the payment is completed electronically, provided the payment is actually received by the Office.”

To learn more:

• issue fee
• payment date
• patent term adjustment
• patent issuance
• maintenance fees