What should I do if I lose entitlement to small or micro entity status?

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Source: FAQ (MPEP-Based) BlueIron Update: 2024-09-30 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. If you lose entitlement to small or micro entity status, you must notify the USPTO. According to MPEP 2550 : “Notification of any change in status resulting in loss of entitlement to an entity status must be filed in a patent prior to paying, or at the time of paying, the earliest maintenance fee due after the date on which status as a small or micro entity is no longer appropriate.” For small entities, this notification must be a specific written notification as per 37 CFR 1.27(g)(2) . For micro entities, notification must be filed as specified in 37 CFR 1.29(i) . All notifications must be signed by a party identified in 37 CFR 1.33(b) . Related Rules from the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure 10 rules Collapse Notification of Loss of Micro Entity Status Must Be Filed Before Fee Payment MPEP 2550 Required Certification of Micro Entity Status Must Be Signed by Authorized Person MPEP 2550 Required Notifications Must Be Signed by Identified Party MPEP 2550 Required Certification Required for Micro Entity Status MPEP 2550 Required Notification for Loss of Entity Status Must Be Filed By Mail, Fax, or Electronic System MPEP 2550 Prohibited Who Can Sign Assertion for Small Entity Status MPEP 2550 Permitted Written Notification Required for Loss of Small Entity Status MPEP 2550 Notification Required for Loss of Micro Entity Status MPEP 2550 Permitted Entity Status Change Required Before Payment MPEP 2550 Required Check for Loss of Micro Entity Status Before Paying Fees MPEP 2550 Other Related FAQs 5 FAQs Collapse How can I change my entity status for maintenance fee payments? Can I change my entity status after paying a maintenance fee? Can a patent owner change entity status between maintenance...