What types of notices does the USPTO provide regarding maintenance fees?

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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. The USPTO provides several types of notices regarding maintenance fees, although these are courtesies and not legal obligations. According to MPEP 2575 , these include: Reminder notices in the patent grant and Notice of Allowance Official Gazette notices Maintenance Fee Reminders after the grace period begins Receipt notices upon request Expiration notices It’s important to note that “the notices, errors in the notices or in their delivery, or the lack or tardiness of notices will in no way relieve a patentee from the responsibility to make timely payment of each maintenance fee to prevent the patent from expiring by operation of law.” Related Rules from the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure 10 rules Collapse Reminder Notice for Maintenance Fees MPEP 2575 Permitted Reminder Notice for Maintenance Fees Required MPEP 2575 Permitted No Reminder Until Grace Period Begins MPEP 2575 Notice of Patent Expiration Must Be Mailed MPEP 2575 Required Reminder Sent to Fee Address After Grace Period MPEP 2575 Date of Notice of Allowance Controls Third-Party Submission Timing MPEP 1134.01 Notice of Allowance When Secrecy Order Removed MPEP 120 Permitted Notice of Allowance Sent to Applicant MPEP 1303 Notice of Allowance Not Withheld Due to Inventor Death If Executor or Administrator Has Not Intervened MPEP 1303.03 Notice of Allowance Reflects Previously Paid Issue Fee MPEP 1306 Other Related FAQs 5 FAQs Collapse What happens if a maintenance fee is paid in the wrong amount? What information is published in the Official Gazette regarding maintenance fees? Can a patent be reinstated after expiration due to non-payment of maintenance fees? Does the USPTO have a duty to notify patentees about maintenance fee...