How can I designate a fee address for maintenance fee purposes?
Source: FAQ (MPEP-Based)BlueIron Update: 2024-09-29
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.
To designate a fee address for maintenance fee purposes, you can use the following methods:
- At the time of issue fee payment, submit a “Fee Address” Indication Form (PTO/SB/47) as an attachment to the Issue Fee Transmittal (PTOL-85B).
- After issue fee payment, submit a “Fee Address” Indication Form (PTO/SB/47), and if necessary, a Request for Customer Number (PTO/SB/125), to the address specified on the form.
According to MPEP 2540, “It is recommended that only a current version of the ‘Fee Address’ Indication Form (PTO/SB/47) available from the USPTO website (www.uspto.gov/patent/patents-forms) be used when designating a fee address.”
Topics:
MPEP 2500 - Maintenance Fees
MPEP 2540 - Fee Address For Maintenance Fee Purposes
Patent Law
Patent Procedure