DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Patent and Trademark Office
37 CFR Part 1
[Docket No. 980713170-8170-01]
RIN 0651-AA96
Revision of Patent Fees for Fiscal Year 1999
AGENCY: Patent and Trademark Office, Commerce.
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) is amending the rules of
practice in patent cases, Part 1 of title 37, Code of Federal
Regulations, to adjust patent statutory fee amounts to reflect the
expiration of the surcharge established by the Omnibus Budget
Reconciliation Act of 1990, as amended, and fluctuations in the
Consumer Price Index (CPI). Also, a few fees that track statutory fees
are being correspondingly adjusted, and a non-statutory fee is being
reduced to recover cost.
Patent statutory fees consist of a fee amount pursuant to title 35,
United States Code; annual adjustments to reflect fluctuations in the
CPI; and a surcharge, established by the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation
Act of 1990, as amended. The intent of the surcharge was to finance the
cost of operating the PTO from user fees, rather than from taxes paid
to the general fund of the United States Treasury. In fiscal year 1998,
the surcharge will raise $119,000,000. The surcharge will expire at the
end of fiscal year 1998. To replace the surcharge and to ensure
continued user-fee funding of PTO's operations, legislation has been
introduced in the Congress, namely, H.R. 3989 and H.R. 3723. Should
either legislation or an alternative be enacted, the PTO will publish a
document in the Federal Register to ensure that this final rule and the
fees established herein will not take effect.
This final rule assumes that no legislative change to patent fees
will take place before October 1, 1998. This final rule adjusts patent
fees to reflect the expiration of the surcharge established by the
Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990, as amended, and to reflect
fluctuations in the CPI over the previous twelve months.
EFFECTIVE DATE: October 1, 1998.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Matthew Lee by telephone at (703) 305-
8051, fax at (703) 305-8007, or by mail marked to his attention and
addressed to the Commissioner of Patents and Trademarks, Office of
Finance, Crystal Park 1, Suite 802, Washington, D.C. 20231.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This final rule adjusts PTO fees in
accordance with the applicable provisions of title 35, United States
Code, and the Patent and Trademark Office Authorization Act of 1991
(Public Law 102-204).
Legislation has been introduced in the Congress, namely H.R. 3989
and H.R. 3723, to replace the surcharge and to ensure continued user-
fee funding of PTO's operations. H.R. 3989 would re-establish patent
statutory fees at the fiscal year 1998 fee levels. For patent
customers, H.R. 3989 would not change fee levels; it would simply
include the current surcharge and previous years' annual inflation
adjustments within the statutory fees, in accordance with the
President's budget. The President's budget further proposes to rescind
$66,342,000 of PTO's fiscal year 1998 budget authority, and an
additional $50,000,000 in fees collected in fiscal year 1999, for a
total rescission of $116,342,000.
H.R. 3723 would re-establish patent statutory fees below the levels
proposed in H.R. 3989. The total amount collected under H.R. 3723 is
expected to be $50,000,000 less than would be collected under H.R.
3989. H.R. 3723 does not assume rescission of PTO budget authority from
fees collected in fiscal year 1999. (A comparison of fee amounts for
fiscal year 1998, this final rule for fiscal year 1999, H.R. 3723, and
H.R. 3989 is included as an Appendix to this final rule.)
In the absence of the enactment of these bills, or any other
positive action by the Congress before October 1, 1998, certain patent
fees will revert to their statutory levels, as adjusted for previous
years' annual fluctuations in the CPI. Should this occur, and PTO not
increase fees by CPI for fiscal year 1999, PTO fee collections in
fiscal year 1999 would be $182,000,000 less than would be collected
under H.R. 3989 and the President's budget proposal, and $132,000,000
less than would be collected under H.R. 3723.
This final rule assumes that these bills--and any other statutory
change to patent fees--will not be enacted before October 1, 1998. This
final rule adjusts patent fees to reflect the expiration of the
surcharge established by the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990,
as amended, and to reflect fluctuations in the CPI over the previous
twelve months. Fees collected under this final rule in fiscal year 1999
would be $171,000,000 less than would be collected under H.R. 3989 and
the President's budget proposal, and $121,000,000 less than would be
collected under H.R. 3723.
Patent customers should be aware that legislative changes to patent
fees superseding this final rule may occur. If such changes occur the
PTO will publish a document in the Federal Register to ensure that this
final rule and the fees established herein will not take effect. Patent
customers may wish to refer to the official PTO website (www.uspto.gov)
for the most current fee amounts. Official notices of any fee changes
will appear in the Federal Register and the Official Gazette of the
Patent and Trademark Office.
Background
Statutory Provisions
Patent fees are authorized by 35 U.S.C. 41 and 35 U.S.C. 376. A
fifty percent reduction in the fees paid under 35 U.S.C. 41(a) and (b)
by independent inventors, small business concerns, and nonprofit
organizations who meet prescribed definitions is required by 35 U.S.C.
41(h).
Subsection 41(f) of title 35, United States Code, provides that
fees established under 35 U.S.C. 41(a) and (b) may be adjusted on
October 1, 1992, and every year thereafter, to reflect fluctuations in
the Consumer Price Index (CPI) over the previous twelve months.
Subsection 41(d) of title 35, United States Code, authorizes the
Commissioner to establish fees for all other processing, services, or
materials related to patents to recover the average cost of providing
these services or materials, except for the fees for recording a
document affecting title, for each photocopy, for each black and
[[Page 39732]]
white copy of a patent, and for library services.
Section 376 of title 35, United States Code, authorizes the
Commissioner to set fees for patent applications filed under the Patent
Cooperation Treaty (PCT).
Subsection 41(g) of title 35, United States Code, provides that new
fee amounts established by the Commissioner under section 41 may take
effect thirty days after notice in the Federal Register and the
Official Gazette of the Patent and Trademark Office.
Fee Adjustment Level
The patent fees established by 35 U.S.C. 41 (a) and (b) will be
adjusted on October 1, 1998, to reflect fluctuations occurring during
the previous twelve months in the Consumer Price Index for all urban
consumers (CPI-U), and CPI-U adjustments, where applicable, from fiscal
years 1992 through 1997. In calculating these fluctuations, the Office
of Managements and Budget (OMB) has determined that the PTO should use
CPI-U data as determined by the Secretary of Labor. However, the
Department of Labor does not make public the CPI-U until approximately
twenty-one days after the end of the month being calculated. Therefore,
the latest CPI-U information available is for the month of May 1998. In
accordance with previous rulemaking methodology, the PTO will use the
Administration's projected CPI-U for the twelve-month period ending
September 30, 1998, which is 2.2 percent. Based on this projection,
patent statutory fees will be adjusted by 2.2 percent.
Four patent service fees that are set by statute will not be
adjusted. The four fees that are not being adjusted are the assignment
recording fee, printed patent copy fee, photocopy charge fee, and
library service fee.
The final fee amounts were rounded by applying standard arithmetic
rules so that the amounts rounded would be convenient to the user. Fees
were rounded to an even number so that any comparable small entity fee
would be a whole number.
General Procedures
Any fee amount paid on or after the effective date of the final fee
adjustment will be subject to the new fees then in effect. For purposes
of determining the amount of the fee to be paid, the date of mailing
indicated on a proper Certificate of Mailing or Transmission, where
authorized under 37 CFR 1.8, will be considered to be the date of
receipt in the PTO. A Certificate of Mailing or Transmission under 37
CFR 1.8(a)(1) is not proper for items that are specifically excluded
under 37 CFR 1.8(a)(2). 37 CFR 1.8(a)(2) should be consulted to
determine those items for which a Certificate of Mailing or
Transmission is not proper. Such items include, among other things, the
filing of national and international applications for patents and the
filing of trademark applications. In addition, the provisions of 37 CFR
1.10 relating to filing papers and fees using the ``Express Mail''
service of the United States Postal Service (USPS) do apply to any
paper or fee (including patent and trademark applications) to be filed
in the PTO. If an application or fee is filed by ``Express Mail'' with
a date of deposit with the USPS (shown by the ``date in'' on the
``Express Mail'' mailing label) which is based on or after the
effective date of the rules, as amended, the amount of the fee to be
paid would be the fee established by the amended rules.
Discussion of Specific Rules
37 CFR 1.16 National Application Filing Fees
Section 1.16, paragraphs (a) through (d), and (f) through (j), is
revised to adjust fees established therein to reflect the expiration of
the patent fee surcharge established by the Omnibus Budget
Reconciliation Act of 1990, as amended, and fluctuations in the CPI.
37 CFR 1.17 Patent Application Processing Fees
Section 1.17, paragraphs (a) through (d), (l), (m), (r), and (s),
is revised to adjust fees established therein to reflect the expiration
of the patent fee surcharge established by the Omnibus Budget
Reconciliation Act of 1990, as amended, and fluctuations in the CPI.
37 CFR 1.18 Patent Issue Fees
Section 1.18, paragraphs (a) through (c), is revised to adjust fees
established therein to reflect the expiration of the patent fee
surcharge established by the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990,
as amended, and fluctuations in the CPI.
37 CFR 1.20 Post-issuance Fees
Section 1.20, paragraphs (d) through (g), is revised to adjust fees
established therein to reflect the expiration of the patent fee
surcharge established by the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990,
as amended, and fluctuations in the CPI.
37 CFR 1.21 Miscellaneous Fees and Charges
Section 1.21, paragraph (a)(6)(ii), is revised to adjust fees
established therein to recover costs.
37 CFR 1.492 National Stage Fees
Section 1.492, paragraphs (a) through (d), is revised to adjust
fees established therein to reflect the expiration of the patent fee
surcharge established by the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990,
as amended, and fluctuations in the CPI.
Other Considerations
This final rule contain no information collection within the
meaning of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.
This final rule has been determined to be not significant for purposes
of Executive Order 12866.
Prior notice and opportunity for public comment for patent fee
changes is not required by the patent statutes or the Administrative
Procedure Act. While the patent statutes specifically require that
changes to patent fees shall not take effect ``until at least 30 days
after notice of the fee has been published in the Federal Register and
in the Official Gazette of the Patent and Trademark Office,'' 35 U.S.C.
41(g), they do not require any additional publication of proposed fee
changes. In addition, changes in patent fees are exempted from the
notice of proposed rulemaking requirements of the Administrative
Procedure Act under 5 U.S.C. 553(a)(2) as the establishment of fee
amounts is a matter related to agency management.
As prior notice and an opportunity for public comment are not
required pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553, or any other law, the analytical
requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.,
are inapplicable.
A comparison of fee amounts for fiscal year 1998, this final rule
for fiscal year 1999, H.R. 3723, and H.R. 3989 are included as an
Appendix to this final rule.
List of Subjects in 37 CFR Part 1
Administrative practice and procedure, Inventions and patents,
Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Small businesses.
PART 1--RULES OF PRACTICE IN PATENT CASES
1. The authority citation for 37 CFR part 1 continues to read as
follows:
Authority: 35 U.S.C. 6, unless otherwise noted.
[[Page 39733]]
2. Section 1.16 is amended by revising paragraphs (a) through (d),
and (f) through (j) to read as follows:
Sec. 1.16 National application filing fees.
(a) Basic fee for filing each application for an original
patent, except provisional, design or plant applications:
By a small entity (Sec. 1.9(f).......................... $305.00
By other than a small entity............................. $610.00
(b) In addition to the basic filing fee in an original
application, except provisional applications, for filing
or later presentation of each independent claim in excess
of 3:
By a small entity (Sec. 1.9(f))......................... $32.00
By other than a small entity............................. $64.00
(c) In addition to the basic filing fee in an original
application, except provisional applications, for filing
or later presentation of each claim in excess of 20:
By a small entity (Sec. 1.9(f))......................... $7.00
By other than a small entity............................. $14.00
(d) In addition to the basic filing fee in an original
application, except provisional applications, if the
application contains, or is amended to contain, a multiple
dependent claim(s), per application:
By a small entity (Sec. 1.9(f))......................... $105.00
By other than a small entity............................. $210.00
* * * * *
(f) Basic fee for filing each design application:
By a small entity (Sec. 1.9(f))......................... $130.00
By other than a small entity............................. $260.00
(g) Basic fee for filing each plant application, except
provisional applications:
By a small entity (Sec. 1.9(f))......................... $195.00
By other than a small entity............................. $390.00
(h) Basic fee for filing each reissue application:
By a small entity (Sec. 1.9(f))......................... $305.00
By other than a small entity............................. $610.00
(i) In addition to the basic filing fee in a reissue
application, for filing or later presentation of each
independent claim which is in excess of the number of
independent claims in the original patent:
By a small entity (Sec. 1.9(f))......................... $32.00
By other than a small entity............................. $64.00
(j) In addition to the basic filing fee in a reissue
application, for filing or later presentation of each
claim in excess of 20 and also in excess of the number of
claims in the original patent:
By a small entity (Sec. 1.9(f))......................... $7.00
By other than a small entity............................. $14.00
* * * * *
3. Section 1.17 is amended by revising paragraphs (a) (1) through
(5), (b) through (d), (1), (m), (r), and (s) to read as follows:
Sec. 1.17 Patent application processing fees.
(a) * * *
(1) For reply within first month:
By a small entity (Sec. 1.9(f))....................... $45.00
By other than a small entity........................... 90.00
(2) For reply within second month:
By a small entity (Sec. 1.9(f))....................... $155.00
By other than a small entity........................... $310.00
(3) For reply within third month:
By a small entity (Sec. 1.9(f))....................... $355.00
By other than a small entity........................... $710.00
(4) For reply within fourth month:
By a small entity (Sec. 1.9(f))....................... $550.00
By other than a small entity........................... $1,100.00
(5) For reply within fifth month:
By a small entity (Sec. 1.9(f))....................... $750.00
By other than a small entity........................... $1,500.00
(b) For filing a notice of appeal from the examiner to the
Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences:
By a small entity (Sec. 1.9(f))....................... $125.00
By other than a small entity........................... $250.00
(c) In addition to the fee for filing a notice of appeal,
for filing a brief in support of an appeal:
By a small entity (Sec. 1.9(f))....................... $125.00
By other than a small entity........................... $250.00
(d) For filing a request for an oral hearing before the
Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences in an appeal
under 35 U.S.C. 134:
By a small entity (Sec. 1.9(f))....................... $105.00
By other than a small entity........................... $210.00
* * * * *
(l) For filing a petition:
(1) For the revival of an unavoidably abandoned
application under 35 U.S.C. 111, 133, 364, or 371, or
(2) For delayed payment of the issue fee under 35 U.S.C.
151:
By a small entity (Sec. 1.9(f))....................... $45.00
By other than a small entity........................... $90.00
(m) For filing a petition:
(1) For revival of an unintentionally abandoned
application, or
(2) For the unintentionally delayed payment of the fee
for issuing a patent:
By a small entity (Sec. 1.9(f))....................... $490.00
By other than a small entity........................... $980.00
* * * * *
(r) For entry of a submission after final rejection under
$1.129(a):
By a small entity (Sec. 1.9(f))....................... $305.00
By other than a small entity........................... $610.00
(s) For each additional invention requested to be examined
under Sec. 1.129(b):
By a small entity (Sec. 1.9(f))....................... $305.00
By other than a small entity........................... $610.00
4. Section 1.18 is revised to read as follows:
Sec. 1.18 Patent issue fees.
(a) Issue fee for issuing each original or reissue patent,
except a design or plant patent:
By a small entity (Sec. 1.9(f))......................... $490.00
By other than a small entity............................. $980.00
(b) Issue fee for issuing a design patent:
By a small entity (Sec. 1.9(f))......................... $175.00
By other than a small entity............................. $350.00
(c) Issue fee for issuing a plant patent:
By a small entity (Sec. 1.9(f))......................... $235.00
By other than a small entity............................. $470.00
5. Section 1.20 is amended by revising paragraphs (d) through (g)
to read as follows:
Sec. 1.20 Post issuance fees.
* * * * *
(d) For filing each statutory disclaimer (Sec. 1.321):
By a small entity (Sec. 1.9(f))......................... $45.00
By other than a small entity............................. $90.00
(e) For maintaining an original or reissue patent, except a
design or plant patent, based on an application filed on
or after December 12, 1980, in force beyond four years;
the fee is due by three years and six months after the
original grant:
By a small entity (Sec. 1.9(f))......................... $385.00
By other than a small entity............................. $770.00
(f) For maintaining an original or reissue patent, except a
design or plant patent, based on an application filed on
or after December 12, 1980, in force beyond eight years;
the fee is due by seven years and six months after the
original grants:
By a small entity (Sec. 1.9(f))......................... $770.00
By other than a small entity............................. $1,540.00
[[Page 39734]]
(g) For maintaining an original or reissue patent, except a
design or plant patent, based on an application filed on
or after December 12, 1980, in force beyond twelve years;
the fee is due by eleven years and six months after the
original grant:
By a small entity (Sec. 1.9(f))......................... $1,180.00
By other than a small entity............................. $2,360.00
* * * * *
6. Section 1.21 is amended by revising paragraph (a)(6)(ii) to read
as follows:
Sec. 1.21 Miscellaneous fees and charges.
* * * * *
(a) * * *
(6) * * *
(ii) Regrading of afternoon section (Claim Drafting)... $230.00
* * * * *
7. Section 1.492 is amended by revising paragraphs (a) through (d)
to read as follows:
Sec. 1.492 National stage fees.
* * * * *
(a) The basic national fee:
(1) Where an international preliminary examination fee as
set forth in Sec. 1.482 has been paid on the
international application to the United States Patent
and Trademark Office:
By a small entity (Sec. 1.9(f))....................... $270.00
By other than a small entity........................... $540.00
(2) Where no international preliminary examination fee as
set forth in Sec. 1.482 has been paid to the United
States Patent and Trademark Office, but an international
search fee as set forth in Sec. 1.445(a)(2) has been
paid on the international application to the United
States Patent and Trademark Office as an International
Searching Authority:
By a small entity (Sec. 1.9(f))....................... $305.00
By other than a small entity........................... $610.00
(3) Where no international preliminary examination fee as
set forth in Sec. 1.482 has been paid and no
international search fee as set forth in Sec.
1.445(a)(2) has been paid on the international
application to the United States Patent and Trademark
Office.
By a small entity (Sec. 1.9(f))....................... $395.00
By other than a small entity........................... $790.00
(4) Where an international preliminary examination fee as
set forth in Sec. 1.482 has been paid to the United
States Patent and Trademark Office and the international
preliminary examination report states that the criteria
of novelty, inventive step (non-obviousness), and
industrial applicability, as defined in PCT Article 33
(1) to (4) have been satisfied for all the claims
presented in the application entering the national stage
(see Sec. 1.496(b)):
By a small entity (Sec. 1.9(f))....................... $39.00
By other than a small entity........................... $78.00
(5) Where a search report on the international
application has been prepared by the European Patent
Office or the Japanese Patent Office:
By a small entity (Sec. 1.9(f))....................... $395.00
By other than a small entity........................... $790.00
(b) In addition to the basic national fee, for filing or
later presentation of each independent claim in excess of
3:
By a small entity (Sec. 1.9(f))....................... $32.00
By other than a small entity........................... $64.00
(c) In addition to the basic national fee, for filing or
later presentation of each claim (whether independent or
dependent) in excess of 20.
(Note that Sec. 1.75(c) indicates how multiple dependent
claims are considered for fee calculation purposes.):
By a small entity (Sec. 1.9(f))....................... $7.00
By other than a small entity........................... $14.00
(d) In addition to the basic national fee, if the
application contains, or is amended to contain, a multiple
dependent claim(s), per application:
By a small entity (Sec. 1.9(f))....................... $105.00
By other than a small entity........................... $210.00
* * * * *
July 17, 1998.
Bruce A. Lehman,
Assistant Secretary of Commerce and Commissioner of Patents and
Trademarks.
Note--The following Appendix is provided as a courtesy to the
public, and is not a substitute for the rules. It will not appear in
the Code of Federal Regulations.
Appendix A.--Comparison of Existing and Revised Fee Amounts
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Pre-Oct Final rule
37 CFR Description 1998 Oct 1998 H.R. 3723 H.R. 3989
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.16(a) Basic Filing Fee............... $790 $610 $760 --
1.16(a) Basic Filing Fee (Small Entity) 395 305 380 --
1.16(b) Indepdent Claims............... 82 64 78 --
1.16(b) Indepdent Claims (Small Entity) 41 32 39 --
1.16(c) Claims in Excess of 20......... 22 14 18 --
1.16(c) Claims in Excess of 20 (Small 11 7 9
Entity).
1.16(d) Multiple Dependent Claims...... 270 210 260 --
1.16(d) Multiple Dependent Claims 135 105 130 --
(Small Entity).
1.16(e) Surcharge--Late Filing Fee..... 130 -- -- --
1.16(e) Surcharge--Late Filing Fee 65 -- -- --
(Small Entity).
1.16(f) Design Filing Fee.............. 330 260 310 --
1.16(f) Design Filing Fee (Small 165 130 155 --
Entity).
1.16(g) Plant Filing Fee............... 540 390 480 --
1.16(g) Plant Filing Fee (Small Entity) 270 195 240 --
1.16(h) Reissue Filing Fee............. 790 610 760 --
1.16(h) Reissue Filing Fee (Small 395 305 380 --
Entity).
1.16(i) Reissue Independent Claims..... 82 64 78 --
1.16(i) Reissue Independent Claims 41 32 39 --
(Small Entity).
1.16(j) Reissue Claims in Excess of 20. 22 14 18 --
[[Page 39735]]
1.16(j) Reissue Claims in Excess of 20 11 7 9 --
(Small Entity).
1.16(k) Provisional Application Filing 150 -- -- --
Fee.
1.16(k) Provisional Application Filing 75 -- -- --
Fee (Small Entity).
1.16(l) Surcharge--Incomplete 50 -- -- --
Provisional App. Filed.
1.16(l) Surcharge--Incomplete 25 -- -- --
Provisional App. Filed (Small
Entity).
1.17(a)(1) Extension--First Month......... 110 90 -- --
1.17(a)(1) Extension--First Month (Small 55 45 -- --
Entity).
1.17(a)(2) Extension--Second Month........ 400 310 380 --
1.17(a)(2) Extension--First Month (Small 200 155 190 --
Entity).
1.17(a)(3) Extension--Third Month......... 950 710 870 --
1.17(a)(3) Extension--Third Month (Small 475 355 435 --
Entity).
1.17(a)(4) Extension--Fourth Month........ 1,510 1,100 1,360 --
1.17(a)(4) Extension--Fourth Month (Small 755 550 680 --
Entity).
1.17(a)(5) Extension--Fifth Month......... 2,060 1,500 1,850 --
1.17(a)(5) Extension--Fifth Month (Small 1,030 750 925 --
Entity).
1.17(b) Notice of Appeal............... 310 250 300 --
1.17(b) Notice of Appeal (Small Entity) 155 125 150 --
1.17(c) Filing a Brief................. 310 250 300 --
1.17(c) Filing a Brief (Small Entity).. 155 125 150 --
1.17(d) Request for Oral Hearing....... 270 210 260 --
1.17(d) Request for Oral Hearing (Small 135 105 130 --
Entity).
1.17(h) Petition--Not All Inventors.... 130 -- -- --
1.17(h) Petition--Correction of 130 -- -- --
Inventorship.
1.17(h) Petition--Decision on Questions 130 -- -- --
1.17(h) Petition--Suspend Rules........ 130 -- -- --
1.17(h) Petition--Expedited License.... 130 -- -- --
1.17(h) Petition--Scope of License..... 130 -- -- --
1.17(h) Petition--Retroactive License.. 130 -- -- --
1.17(h) Petition--Refusing Maintenance 130 -- -- --
Fee.
1.17(h) Petition--Refusing Maintenance 130 -- -- --
Fee--Expired Patent.
1.17(h) Petition--Interference......... 130 -- -- --
1.17(h) Petition--Reconsider 130 -- -- --
Interference.
1.17(h) Petition--Late Filing of 130 -- -- --
Interference.
1.20(b) Petition--Correction of 130 -- -- --
Inventorship.
1.17(h) Petition--Refusal to Publish 130 -- -- --
SIR.
1.17(j) Petition--For Assignment....... 130 -- -- --
1.17(i) Petition--For Application...... 130 -- -- --
1.17(i) Petition--Late Priority Papers. 130 -- -- --
1.17(i) Petition--Suspend Action....... 130 -- -- --
1.17(i) Petition--Divisional Reissues 130 -- -- --
to Issue Separately.
1.17(i) Petition--For Interference 130 -- -- --
Agreement.
1.17(i) Petition--Amendment After Issue 130 -- -- --
1.17(i) Petition--Withdrawal After 130 -- -- --
Issue.
1.17(i) Petition--Defer Issue.......... 130 -- -- --
1.17(i) Petition--Issue to Assignee.... 130 -- -- --
1.17(i) Petition--Accord a Filing Date 130 -- -- --
Under Sec. 1.53.
1.17(i) Petition--Accord a Filing Date 130 -- -- --
Under Sec. 1.62.
1.17(i) Petition--Make Application 130 -- -- --
Special.
1.17(j) Petition--Public Use Proceeding 1,510 -- -- --
1.17(k) Non-English Specification...... 130 -- -- --
1.17(l) Petition--Revive Abandoned 110 90 -- --
Application.
1.17(l) Petition--Revive Abandoned 55 45 -- --
Application (Small Entity).
1.17(m) Petition--Revive 1,320 980 1,210 --
Unintentionally Abandoned
Application.
1.17(m) Petition--Revive Unintent 660 490 605 --
Abandoned Application (Small
Entity).
1.17(n) SIR--Prior to Examiner's Action 920 -- -- --
1.17(o) SIR--After Examiner's Action... 1,840 -- -- --
1.17(p) Submission of an Information 240 -- -- --
Disclosure Statement (Sec.
1.97).
1.17(q) Petition--Correction of 50 -- -- --
Inventorship (Prov. App.).
1.17(q) Petition--Accord a filing date 50 -- -- --
(Prov. App.).
1.17(q) Petition--Entry of submission 50 -- -- --
after final rejection (Prov.
App.).
1.17(r) Filing a submission after final 790 610 760 --
rejection (1.129(a)).
1.17(r) Filing a submission after final 395 305 380 --
rejection (1.129(a)) (Small
Entity).
1.17(s) Per add'l invention to be 790 610 760 --
examined (1.129(b)).
1.17(s) Per add'l invention to be 395 305 380 --
examined (1.129(b)) (Small
Entity).
1.18(a) Issue Fee...................... 1,320 980 1,210 --
1.18(a) Issue Fee (Small Entity)....... 660 490 605 --
1.18(b) Design Issue Fee............... 450 350 430 --
1.18(b) Design Issue Fee (Small Entity) 225 175 215 --
1.18(c) Plant Issue Fee................ 670 470 580 --
1.18(c) Plant Issue Fee (Small Entity). 335 235 290 --
1.19(a)(1)(i) Copy of Patent................. 3 -- -- --
[[Page 39736]]
1.19(a)(1)(ii) Patent Copy--Overnight delivery 6 -- -- --
to PTO Box or overnight tax.
1.19(a)(1)(iii) Patent Copy Ordered by 25 -- -- --
Expedited Mail or Fax--Exp.
service.
1.19(a)(2) Plant Patent Copy.............. 15 -- -- --
1.19(a)(3)(i) Copy of Utility Patent or SIR 25 -- -- --
in Color.
1.19(b)(1)(i) Certified Copy of Patent 15 -- -- --
Application as Filed.
1.19(b)(1)(ii) Certified Copy of Patent 30 -- -- --
Application as Filed,
Expedited.
1.19(b)(2) Cert. or Uncert. Copy of Patent- 150 -- -- --
Related File Wrapper/Contents.
1.19(b)(3) Cert. or Uncert. Copies of 25 -- -- --
Office Records, per Document.
1.19(b)(4) For Assignment Records, 25 -- -- --
Abstract of Title and
Certification.
1.19(c) Library Service................ 50 -- -- --
1.19(d) List of Patents in Subclass.... 3 -- -- --
1.19(e) Uncertified Statement-Status of 10 -- -- --
Maintenance Fee Payment.
1.19(f) Copy of Non-U.S. Patent 25 -- -- --
Document.
1.19(g) Comparing and Certifying 25 -- -- --
Copies, Per Document, Per Copy.
1.19(h) Duplicate or Corrected Filing 25 -- -- --
Receipt.
1.20(a) Certificate of Correction...... 100 -- -- --
1.20(c) Reexamination.................. $2,520 -- -- --
1.20(d) Statutory Disclaimer........... 110 90 -- --
1.20(d) Statutory Disclaimer (Small 55 45 -- --
Entity).
1.20(e) Maintenance Fee-3.5 Years...... 1,050 770 940 --
1.20(e) Maintenance Fee--3.5 Years 525 385 470 --
(Small Entity).
1.20(f) Maintenance Fee--7.5 Years..... 2,100 1,540 1,900 --
1.20(f) Maintenance Fee--7.5 Years 1,050 770 950 --
(Small Entity).
1.20(g) Maintenance Fee--11.5 Years.... 3,160 2,360 2,910 --
1.20(g) Maintenance Fee--11.5 Years 1,580 1,180 1,455 --
(Small Entity).
1.20(h) Surcharge--Maintenance Fee--6 130 -- -- --
Months.
1.20(h) Surcharge--Maintenance Fee--6 65 -- -- --
Months (Small Entity).
1.20(i)(1) Surcharge--Maintenance After 700 -- -- --
Expiration--Unavoidable.
1.20(i)(2) Surcharge--Maintenance After 1,640 -- -- --
Expiration--Unintentional.
1.20(j)(1) Extension of Term of Patent 1,120 -- -- --
Under 1.740.
1.20(j)(2) Initial Application for Interim 420 -- -- --
Extension Under 1.790.
1.20(j)(3) Subsequent Application for 210 -- -- --
Interim Extension Under 1.790.
1.21(a)(1)(i) Application Fee (non- 40 -- -- --
refundable).
1.21(a)(1)(ii) Registration examination fee... 310 -- -- --
1.21(a)(2) Registration to Practice....... 100 -- -- --
1.21(a)(3) Reinstatement to Practice...... 40 -- -- --
1.21(a)(4) Certificate of Good Standing... 10 -- -- --
1.21(a)(4) Certificate of Good Standing, 20 -- -- --
Suitable Framing.
1.21(a)(5) Review of Decision of Director, 130 -- -- --
OED.
1.21(a)(6)(i) Regrading of A.M. section (PTO 230 -- -- --
Practice and Procedure).
1.21(a)(6)(ii) Regrading of P.M. section 230 -- -- --
(Claim Drafting).
1.21(b)(1) Establish Deposit Account...... 10 -- -- --
1.21(b)(2) Service Charge Below Minimum 25 -- -- --
Balance.
1.21(b)(3) Service Charge Below Minimum 25 -- -- --
Balance.
1.21(c) Filing a Disclosure Document... 10 -- -- --
1.21(d) Box Rental..................... 50 -- -- --
1.21(e) International Type Search 40 -- -- --
Report.
1.21(g) Self-Service Copy Charge....... .25 -- -- --
1.21(h) Recording Patent Property...... 40 -- -- --
1.21(i) Publication in the Official 25 -- -- --
Gazette.
1.21(j) Labor Charges for Services..... 40 -- -- --
1.21(k) Unspecified Other Services..... \1\ -- -- --
1.21(k) Terminal Use APS-CSIR (per 50 -- -- --
hour).
1.21(l) Retaining abandoned application 130 -- -- --
1.21(m) Processing Returned Checks..... 50 -- -- --
1.21(n) Handling Fee--Incomplete 130 -- -- --
Application.
1.21(o) Terminal Use APS-TEXT.......... 40 -- -- --
1.24 Coupons for Patent and 3 -- -- --
Trademark Copies.
1.296 Handling Fee--Withdrawal SIR... 130 -- -- --
1.445(a)(1) Transmittal Fee................ 240 -- -- --
1.445(a)(2)(i) PCT Search Fee--Prior U.S. 450 -- -- --
Application.
1.445(a)(2)(ii) PCT Search Fee--No U.S. 700 -- -- --
Application.
1.445(a)(3) Supplemental Search............ 210 -- -- --
1.482(a)(1)(i) Preliminary Exam Fee........... 490 -- -- --
1.482(a)(1)(ii) Preliminary Exam Fee........... 750 -- -- --
1.482(a)(2)(i) Additional invention........... 140 -- -- --
1.482(a)(2)(ii) Additional invention........... 270 -- -- --
1.492(a)(1) Preliminary Examining Authority 720 540 670 --
1.492(a)(1) Preliminary Examining Authority 360 270 335 --
(Small Entity).
1.492(a)(2) Searching Authority............ 790 610 760 --
1.492(a)(2) Searching Authority (Small 395 305 380 --
Entity).
[[Page 39737]]
1.492(a)(3) PTO Not ISA nor IPEA........... 1,070 790 970 --
1.492(a)(3) PTO Not ISA nor IPEA (Small 535 395 485 --
Entity).
1.492(a)(4) Claims--IPEA................... 98 78 96 --
1.492(a)(4) Claims--IPEA (Small Entity).... 49 39 48 --
1.492(a)(5) Filing with EPO/JPO Search 930 790 -- --
Report.
1.492(a)(5) Filing with EPO/JPO Search 465 395 -- --
Report (Small Entity).
1.492(b) Claims--Extra Individual (Over 82 64 78 --
3).
1.492(b) Claims--Extra Individual (Over 41 32 39 --
3) (Small Entity).
1.492(c) Claims--Extra Total (Over 20).. 22 14 18 --
1.492(c) Claims--Extra Total (Over 20) 11 7 9 --
(Small Entity).
1.492(d) Claims--Multiple Dependents.... 270 210 260 --
1.492(d) Claims--Multiple Dependents 135 105 130 --
(Small Entity).
1.492(e) Surcharge...................... 130 -- -- --
1.492(e) Surcharge (Small Entity)....... 65 -- -- --
1.492(f) English Translation--After 20 130 -- -- --
Months.
2.6(a)(1) Application for Registration, 245 -- -- --
Per Class.
2.6(a)(2) Amendment to Allege Use, Per 100 -- -- --
Class.
2.6(a)(3) Statement of Use, Per Class.... 100 -- -- --
2.6(a)(4) Extension for Filing Statement 100 -- -- --
of Use, Per Class.
2.6(a)(5) Application for Renewal, Per 300 -- -- --
Class.
2.6(a)(6) Surcharge for Late Renewal, Per 100 -- -- --
Class.
2.6(a)(7) Publication of Mark Under Sec. 100 -- -- --
12(c), Per Class.
2.6(a)(8) Issuing New Certificate of 100 -- -- --
Registration.
2.6(a)(9) Certificate of Correction of 100 -- -- --
Registrant's Error.
2.6(a)(10) Filing Disclaimer to 100 -- -- --
Registration.
2.6(a)(11) Filing Amendment to 100 -- -- --
Registration.
2.6(a)(12) Filing Affidavit Under Section 100 -- -- --
8, Per Class.
2.6(a)(13) Filing Affidavit Under Section 100 -- -- --
15, Per Class.
2.6(a)(14) Filing Affidavit Under Sections 200 -- -- --
8 & 15, Per Class.
2.6(a)(15) Petitions to the Commissioner.. 100 -- -- --
2.6(a)(16) Petition to Cancel, Per Class.. 200 -- -- --
2.6(a)(17) Notice of Opposition, Per Class 200 -- -- --
2.6(a)(18) Ex Parte Appeal to the TTAB, 100 -- -- --
Per Class.
2.6(a)(19) Dividing an Application, Per 100 -- -- --
New Application Created.
2.6(b)(1)(i) Copy of Registered Mark........ 3 -- -- --
2.6(b)(1)(ii) Copy of Registered Mark, 6 -- -- --
overnight delivery to PTO box
or fax.
2.6(b)(1)(iii) Copy of Reg. Mark Ordered Via 25 -- -- --
Exp. Mail or Fax, Exp. Svc.
2.6(b)(2)(i) Certified Copy of TM 15 -- -- --
Application as Filed.
2.6(b)(2)(ii) Certified Copy of TM 30 -- -- --
Application as Filed,
Expedited.
2.6(b)(3) Cert. or Uncert. Copy of TM- 50 -- -- --
Related File Wrapper/Contents.
2.6(b)(4)(i) Cert. Copy of Registered Mark, 15 -- -- --
Title or Status.
2.6(b)(4)(ii) Cert. Copy of Registered Mark, 30 -- -- --
Title or Status--Expedited.
2.6(b)(5) Certified or Uncertified Copy 25 -- -- --
of TM Records.
2.6(b)(6) Recording Trademark Property, 40 -- -- --
Per Mark, Per Document.
2.6(b)(6) For Second and subsequent Marks 25 -- -- --
in Same Document.
2.6(b)(7) For Assignment Records, 25 -- -- --
Abstracts of Title and Cert.
2.6(b)(8) Terminal Use X-SEARCH.......... 40 -- -- --
2.6(b)(9) Self-Service Copy Charge....... 0.25 -- -- --
2.6(b)(10) Labor Charges for Services..... 40 -- -- --
2.6(b)(11) Unspecified Other Services..... (\1\) -- -- --
2.7(a) Recordal application fee....... 20 -- -- --
2.7(b) Renewal application fee........ 20 -- -- --
2.7(c) Late fee renewal application... 20 -- -- --
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--Indicates fees remain at pre-October 1998 amount.
\1\ At cost.
[FR Doc. 98-19722 Filed 7-23-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-16-M