What is the grace period for paying maintenance fees?

The grace period for paying maintenance fees is specified in 37 CFR 1.362(e). While MPEP 2531 doesn’t explicitly state the duration of the grace period, it references this regulation: “Reply to the notice is required prior to expiration of the grace period provided by 37 CFR 1.362(e) in order to avoid the expiration of the…

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What happens if an issue fee is paid late?

If an issue fee is paid late, the following applies: A surcharge is required for late payment of the issue fee. The patent may be held abandoned if the issue fee is not paid within the period set for payment. If the delay in payment is shown to have been unintentional, the Commissioner may accept…

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What happens if a nonprovisional patent application is filed without all required fees?

If a nonprovisional patent application is filed without all required fees, the USPTO will send a notice to the applicant. According to the MPEP: Filing dates are accorded to nonprovisional applications filed under 37 CFR 1.53(b) submitted without the… required fees (basic filing fee, and search and examination fees (for applications filed on or after…

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