Patent Fees Savings - Starting January 1, 2014
by Stites & Harbison, PLLC
While most of the changes resulting from the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act (AIA) have been implemented, some fee provisions that will save applicants money will go into effect for fees PAID after January 1, 2014. These cost savings are substantial for all issue fees; are minor (but add up where multiple properties are involved) for the recording fees for electronically filed assignments; and are substantial for small entity PCT patent application fees. See the Table below comparing the old and new amounts.
In Practice. Until January, before paying such fees, consider if there is an option to delay payment until after January 1, 2014—especially for issue fees—and do so if you want to effect the cost savings.
US FEES14 |
Large Entity |
Small Entity |
Micro Entity |
|
|
Utility Patent Issue Fee - 37 CFR § 1.18(a) |
Old Amount New Amount |
$1,780 $ 960 |
$890 $480 |
$445 $240 |
|
Design Patent Issue Fee - 37 CFR § 1.18(b) |
Old Amount New Amount |
$1,202 $ 560 |
$510 $280 |
$255 $140 |
|
Plant Patent Issue Fee - 37 CFR § 1.18(c) |
Old Amount New Amount |
$1,400 $ 760 |
$700 $380 |
$350 $190 |
|
Utility Publication Fee - 37 CFR § 1.18(d) |
Old Amount New Amount |
$300 $0 |
$300 $0 |
$300 $0 |
|
Assignment Fee (Electronically Filed) |
Old Amount New Amount |
$40 $0 |
$40 $0 |
$40 $0 |
PCT FEES |
||||
|
PCT Transmittal Fee - 37 CFR § 1.445(a)(1)(i) |
Old Amount |
$240 $240 |
$240 $120 |
$240 $ 60 |
|
PCT Search Fee - 37 CFR § 1.445(a)(2) |
Old Amount New Amount |
$2,080 $2,080 |
$2,080 $1,040 |
$2,080 $ 520 |
|
PCT Supplemental Search Fee - 37 CFR § 1.445(a)(3) |
Old Amount New Amount |
$2,080 $2,070 |
$2,080 $1,040 |
$2,080 $ 520 |
|
PCT Fee - Transmitting Appl. to IB as RO - 37 CFR § 1.445(a)(4) |
Old Amount New Amount |
$240 $240 |
$240 $120 |
$240 $ 60 |
|
PCT Search Fee, designating US as ISA - 37 CFR § 1.482(a)(1)(i) |
Old Amount New Amount |
$600 $600 |
$600 $300 |
$600 $150 |
|
PCT Search Fee -non-US as ISA - 37 CFR § 1.482(a)(1)(ii) |
Old Amount New Amount |
$760 $760 |
$760 $380 |
$760 $190 |
|
PCT Supplemental Exam Fee, per invention - 37 CFR § 1.482(a)(2) |
Old Amount New Amount |
$600 $600 |
$600 $300 |
$600 $150 |