When does the USPTO send Maintenance Fee Reminders?

According to MPEP 2575, the USPTO does not send Maintenance Fee Reminders until after the grace period has begun: “Since patentees are expected to maintain their own record and docketing systems and since it is expected that most patentees will pay their maintenance fees during the window period to avoid payment of a surcharge, the…

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What types of notices does the USPTO provide regarding maintenance fees?

The USPTO provides several types of notices regarding maintenance fees, although these are courtesies and not legal obligations. According to MPEP 2575, these include: Reminder notices in the patent grant and Notice of Allowance Official Gazette notices Maintenance Fee Reminders after the grace period begins Receipt notices upon request Expiration notices It’s important to note…

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