Can I submit a letter of abandonment after paying the issue fee?

Submitting a letter of abandonment after paying the issue fee is generally not accepted without meeting specific criteria. According to MPEP 711.05:

An express abandonment arriving after the issue fee has been paid will not be accepted without a showing of one of the reasons indicated in 37 CFR 1.313(c), or else a showing under 37 CFR 1.183 justifying suspension of 37 CFR 1.313.

This means you must demonstrate either a reason specified in 37 CFR 1.313(c) or provide justification for suspending the rules under 37 CFR 1.183 to have your abandonment request considered after paying the issue fee.

To learn more:

• patent abandonment
• issue fee
• express abandonment
• 37 CFR 1.313(c)
• 37 CFR 1.183

To learn more:

• 37 CFR 1.313(c)
• 37 CFR 1.183