What is the current publication fee for patent applications?
This page is an FAQ based on guidance from the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure. It is provided as guidance, with links to the ground truth sources. This is information only: it is not legal advice.
As of January 1, 2014, the publication fee for patent applications has been set to $0.00. The MPEP states: “Effective January 1, 2014, the publication fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.18(d) is $0.00.” (MPEP 1126)
This change effectively eliminated the financial burden of the publication fee for patent applicants. However, it’s important to note that other fees associated with patent prosecution and issuance may still apply. Applicants should always refer to the most current fee schedule provided by the USPTO for up-to-date information on patent-related fees.