What happens if there are insufficient funds in my USPTO deposit account?
What happens if there are insufficient funds in my USPTO deposit account?
If there are insufficient funds in your USPTO deposit account to cover a fee, the following occurs:
- The USPTO will treat the fee as unpaid
- Any associated filing may be considered incomplete
- You may receive a notice of insufficient funds
The MPEP clearly states: “An overdrawn account will be immediately suspended and no charges will be accepted against it until the balance is restored.” (MPEP 509.01)
To avoid this situation, it’s crucial to maintain sufficient funds in your account and regularly monitor your balance. If your account becomes overdrawn, you’ll need to restore the balance before any further charges can be processed.
To learn more:
Topics:
MPEP 500 - Receipt and Handling of Mail and Papers,
Patent Law,
Patent Procedure