How does a general authorization for fee payments work with a USPTO deposit account?

A general authorization allows the USPTO to charge certain fees to your deposit account without requiring specific authorization for each fee. The MPEP states:

A general authorization to charge all fees, or only certain fees, set forth in §§ 1.16 to 1.18 to a deposit account containing sufficient funds may be filed in an individual application, either for the entire pendency of the application or with respect to a particular paper filed.

Key points about general authorizations:

• They can cover fees under 37 CFR 1.16 and 1.17
• Fees under 37 CFR 1.19, 1.20, and 1.21 are generally not covered
• Issue fees (37 CFR 1.18) require a separate authorization after the notice of allowance
• The authorization should be clear and unambiguous to avoid misinterpretation

Always ensure your deposit account has sufficient funds to cover authorized fees to avoid potential application abandonment or additional expenses.

To learn more:

• USPTO
• deposit account
• fee authorization
• patent fees