How does the USPTO handle discounted maintenance fee payments without proper entity status?
When a maintenance fee payment is submitted at a discounted rate (small or micro entity) without proper documentation of entity status, the USPTO will consider it insufficient. According to MPEP 2531: “If a payment is deemed insufficient because the payment was submitted in a discounted amount but entitlement to the entity status (small or micro)…
Read MoreAre there fee reductions available for small entities and micro entities?
Yes, fee reductions are available for small entities and micro entities when filing a supplemental examination request. According to the MPEP: “These fees qualify for a 50 percent reduction for small entities and a 75 percent reduction for micro entities.” This reduction applies to the fees required for supplemental examination, including the filing fee, ex…
Read MoreHow are small and micro entity discounts applied to international design application fees?
Small and micro entity discounts are applied to certain fees for international design applications, as explained in MPEP 2910: “The transmittal fee is discounted for small and micro entities. […] The first and second parts of the individual designation fee for the United States are discounted for small and micro entities.” Key points about these…
Read MoreAre there reduced maintenance fees for small and micro entities?
Yes, there are significant reductions in maintenance fees for small and micro entities. According to MPEP 2520: “The maintenance fee amounts (37 CFR 1.20(e)-(h)) are subject to a 50% reduction for small entities pursuant to 35 U.S.C. 41(h) and a 75% reduction for micro entities.” This means that small entities pay only half of the…
Read MoreWhat fees are associated with patent reexamination?
Patent reexamination involves several fees as outlined in MPEP 2233: Request fee (37 CFR 1.20(c)(1) or (c)(2)) Addition of claims fees (37 CFR 1.20(c)(3) and (c)(4)) Extension of time fees Appeal, appeal forwarding, and oral hearing fees (37 CFR 41.20(b)) Petition fees (37 CFR 1.17(m) and 1.20(c)(6)) The MPEP states: “No fee is required for…
Read MoreAre fee reductions available for patent reexamination?
Yes, fee reductions are available for patent reexamination, but with certain limitations. According to MPEP 2233: “Small entity and micro entity reductions are available to the patent owner for excess claim fees, appeal, appeal forwarding, and oral hearing fees. For the request and petition fees, small entity reductions are available to both third party requesters…
Read MoreAre micro entity fee reductions available in inter partes reexamination proceedings?
Micro entity fee reductions are available in inter partes reexamination proceedings, but with specific limitations: For patent owners: Micro entity reductions are available for certain fees. For third party requesters: Micro entity reductions are not available. As stated in the MPEP: Micro entity reductions are available to patent owners only. Specifically, micro entity and small…
Read MoreHow can I establish or change my entity status for maintenance fee purposes?
Establishing or changing your entity status (standard, small, or micro) for maintenance fee purposes is crucial for ensuring correct payment amounts. MPEP 2531 refers to this process: “See MPEP § 2550 for information on establishing or changing an entity status for the purpose of paying a maintenance fee.” To establish or change your entity status:…
Read MoreWhat are entity status discounts for maintenance fees?
Entity status discounts are reduced maintenance fees available for patentees who can establish entitlement to small or micro entity status. According to MPEP 2550, “Reduced maintenance fees are available for patentees that can establish entitlement to small or micro entity status.” This means that qualifying entities can pay lower fees to maintain their patents. To…
Read MoreAre there fee reductions for small entities and micro entities?
Yes, there are significant fee reductions for small entities and micro entities when paying the issue fee. According to MPEP 1306: “The amounts due under 35 U.S.C. 41(a) (i.e., the issue fee, but not the publication fee) are reduced by 50 per centum for small entities and 75 per centum for micro entities.” This means…
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