How can I claim entitlement to small entity status for maintenance fees?

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Source: FAQ (MPEP-Based) BlueIron Update: 2024-09-29 10 Rules 5 Related FAQs 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. To claim small entity status for maintenance fees, you must file a written assertion of entitlement to small entity status. According to MPEP 2550 : “In order to establish small entity status for the purpose of paying a maintenance fee, a written assertion of entitlement to small entity status must be filed prior to or with the maintenance fee paid as a small entity.” The assertion must be filed before or with the maintenance fee payment. For more details on qualifying as a small entity and making an assertion, refer to MPEP § 509.02 and MPEP § 509.03 . Related Rules from the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure 10 rules Collapse Assertion of Small Entity Status Required for Maintenance Fee Discount MPEP 2550 Required Assertion of Small Entity Status Only Required Once MPEP 2550 Required Maintenance Fee Payment Includes Entity Status Change MPEP 2550 Permitted Notification of Loss of Micro Entity Status Must Be Filed Before Fee Payment MPEP 2550 Required Who Can Sign Assertion for Small Entity Status MPEP 2550 Permitted Certification of Micro Entity Status Must Be Signed by Authorized Person MPEP 2550 Required Check for Loss of Small Entity Status Before Paying Maintenance Fees MPEP 2550 Written Notification Required for Loss of Small Entity Status MPEP 2550 Notification for Loss of Entity Status Must Be Filed By Mail, Fax, or Electronic System MPEP 2550 Prohibited Certification Required for Micro Entity Status MPEP 2550 Required Other Related FAQs 5 FAQs Collapse How do I establish micro entity status for maintenance fee payments? How can I change my entity status for maintenance fee payments? Can I change my entity status after paying a maintenance fee? Can a patent owner change entity sta...