What are the requirements for micro entity status on the gross income basis?

To establish micro entity status on the gross income basis, an applicant must meet the following requirements as outlined in 37 CFR 1.29(a)(1)-(4):

• Qualify as a small entity
• Not have been named as an inventor on more than four previously filed patent applications
• Not have a gross income exceeding three times the median household income in the preceding calendar year
• Not have assigned, granted, or conveyed, and not be under an obligation to do so, a license or ownership interest to an entity exceeding the gross income limit

The MPEP states: “Because each inventor and each non-inventor applicant (e.g., assignee-applicant) must separately meet the requirements under 37 CFR 1.29(a)(1)-(4), it would not be appropriate to file a micro entity certification under 37 CFR 1.29(a) for the application if there were more than one applicant or inventor and not all of the applicants and inventors qualified as micro entities under 35 U.S.C. 123(a).“

To learn more:

• micro entity
• gross income
• patent fees
• small entity
• patent applications