What information do I need to check a patent’s maintenance fee status online?

To check a patent’s maintenance fee status online, you need two pieces of information: The patent number The corresponding application number The MPEP states: “Maintenance fee status information for a patent of interest can be obtained over the internet by entering the patent number and the corresponding application number in the appropriate spaces on the…

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How can I check the maintenance fee payment status of a patent?

There are two primary methods to check the maintenance fee payment status of a patent: Online: Visit the USPTO’s Maintenance Fee webpage. Enter the patent number and corresponding application number in the appropriate fields. By Phone: Call the USPTO’s Maintenance Fee Branch. Note that telephone status requests are limited to two patent numbers per call.…

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How can I check the maintenance fee payment status for a specific patent?

To check the maintenance fee payment status for a specific patent, you can use the following methods: Visit the USPTO’s Patent Maintenance Fees Storefront and enter the patent number. Use the Patent Application Information Retrieval (PAIR) system to access detailed maintenance fee information. Contact the USPTO’s Office of Finance directly at 571-272-6500. According to MPEP…

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How can I check the status of a published patent application?

Checking the status of a published patent application is straightforward and can be done by any member of the public. The MPEP states: “Any member of the public may obtain status information concerning any published application via Patent Center. See MPEP § 1730.“ Status information typically includes: Whether the application has been published under 35…

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What is the significance of the Office docket in patent application status?

The Office docket plays a crucial role in determining the status of a patent application. MPEP 203.05 refers to the Office docket when defining abandoned applications: An abandoned application is, inter alia, one which is removed from the Office docket of pending applications The Office docket is essentially the official record of pending patent applications…

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How were applications with pre-AIA 37 CFR 1.47 status handled in continuation or divisional filings?

Applications with pre-AIA 37 CFR 1.47 status were given special consideration in continuation or divisional filings. The MPEP states: “A continuation or divisional application of a prior application accorded status under pre-AIA 37 CFR 1.47 will be accorded status under pre-AIA 37 CFR 1.47 if a copy of the decision according pre-AIA 37 CFR 1.47…

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What is the difference between a ‘rejected’ and an ‘abandoned’ patent application?

A ‘rejected’ patent application and an ‘abandoned’ patent application represent different stages in the patent examination process: Rejected Application: As per MPEP 203.02, this is an application with an unanswered examiner’s action. The applicant still has the opportunity to respond within the allotted reply period. Abandoned Application: This occurs when the applicant fails to respond…

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