How are issue fee payments applied to multiple applications?

Question

Accepted Answer

Source: FAQ (MPEP-Based) BlueIron Update: 2024-09-27 10 Rules 5 Related FAQs This page is an FAQ based on guidance from the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure. It is provided as guidance, with links to the ground truth sources. This is information only: it is not legal advice. When issue fee payments are made for multiple applications, the following rules apply: A single payment can cover issue fees for multiple applications. The payment must clearly identify each application and the fee being paid for each. If the payment is insufficient to cover all fees, it will be applied in ascending application number order . MPEP 1306 states: “Where the payment submitted is sufficient to pay the issue fee for all the allowed applications, the payment will be applied accordingly. If the payment submitted is insufficient to cover all the issue fees, the payment will be applied in ascending application number order.” Related Rules from the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure 10 rules Collapse General Authorization for Issue Fee Payment MPEP 1306 Required Correct Issue Fee Payment Allowed After Notice of Allowance MPEP 1306 Director Cannot Extend Issue Fee Payment Deadline MPEP 1306 Issue Fee Not Reflecting Previous Payment MPEP 1306 Three-Month Issue Fee Due After Allowance MPEP 1306 Required Issue Fee and Publication Fee Not Extensible MPEP 1306 Required Previously Paid Issue Fee Can Be Reapplied MPEP 1306 Issue Fee Due After Withdrawal and RCE MPEP 1306 Issue Fee and Publication Fee Must Be Paid as Specified in Notice of Allowance MPEP 1306 Required Issue Fee Reduced for Small and Micro Entities MPEP 1306 Other Related FAQs 5 FAQs Collapse Can the deadline for paying the issue fee be extended? What is the process for deferring issuance of a patent? How do I request simultaneous issuance of patents? What happens if I pay an incorrect issue fee amount? What is the significance of the issue fee payment date?