What information is published in the Official Gazette regarding maintenance fees?
The Official Gazette publishes several types of notices related to maintenance fees. According to MPEP 2575:
- A notice indicating which patents have been granted 3, 7, and 11 years earlier, that the window period has opened, and that maintenance fee payments will now be accepted for those patents.
- A notice published after the expiration of the grace period, indicating any patents that have expired due to nonpayment of maintenance fees and any patents that have been reinstated.
- An annual compilation of such expirations and reinstatements.
These notices serve as public records of patent status and maintenance fee events.
To learn more:
Topics:
MPEP 2500 - Maintenance Fees,
MPEP 2575 - Notices,
Patent Law,
Patent Procedure