Patents, Patent Reform, Patent Fees

So You Want to Keep That Patent? Well, It Just May Cost You — a Lot

Levenfeld Pearlstein, LLC on 9/5/2025

U.S. patents are currently subject to maintenance fees paid to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) at 3.5, 7.5, and 11.5 years from the date of grant to keep the patent live. The maintenance fees escalate over the...more

Qualifications for Claiming Small or Micro Entity Status

Fenwick & West LLP on 4/26/2022

The U.S. Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO) allows certain qualifying entities to receive discounts on various patent fees by identifying themselves as a “small entity ” or a “micro entity.” Below, we outline the requirements...more

USPTO Patent Fees To Go Up January 2018

Foley & Lardner LLP on 11/22/2017

While Congress is trying to pass a tax reform bill that would cut corporate taxes, USPTO patent fees will increase effective January 16, 2018. The 72% jump in the Inter Partes Review request fee has gotten the most attention,...more

Legal Alert: A Little Rule With Big Implications: USPTO Implements New Fee Schedule Including a 75% Reduction in Patent Fees for...

Eversheds Sutherland (US) LLP on 3/29/2013

On March 19, 2013, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) implemented a new fee schedule as authorized by the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act (Act). Among numerous changes in the fees for patent services...more

March 15 and March 18 - Two Important Dates to Make a Note Of

Baker Donelson on 2/14/2013

On March 16, 2013, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is changing from a First-to-Invent system to a First-Inventor-to-File system under the America Invents Act for all patent applications that have a priority date...more

The America Invents Act

Chambliss, Bahner & Stophel, P.C. on 2/1/2013

As we advised previously, on September 16, 2011, the President signed the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act, the most comprehensive overhaul of the U.S. patent system in more than 60 years. Most of the changes required by the...more

USPTO Announces New, Higher USPTO Patent Fees

Foley & Lardner LLP on 1/22/2013

The USPTO has published the new patent fee structure that it is implementing pursuant to its fee-setting authority under the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act (AIA)....more

USPTO Publishes Final Rule Setting Patent Fees

McDonnell Boehnen Hulbert & Berghoff LLP on 1/22/2013

Last Friday, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office published a final rule in the Federal Register (78 Fed. Reg. 4212) setting and adjusting certain patent fees pursuant to the Office's fee-setting authority under § 10 of the...more

USPTO Issues Final Rule Implementing Micro Entity Status

McDonnell Boehnen Hulbert & Berghoff LLP on 12/28/2012

Last week, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office published a notice in the Federal Register (77 Fed. Reg. 75019) issuing the Office's final rule implementing the micro entity provision of § 10 of the Leahy-Smith America...more

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