Chapter 2500 Flashcards
After patent has been issued, how many maintenance fees must be paid?
3
When is the first maintenance fee due?
3 to 3.5 years after the date of issue
When is the second maintenance fee due?
7 to 7.5 years after the date of issue
When is the third and final maintenance fee due?
11 to 11.5 years after the date of issue
Does the Patent Office give patentee a grace period for maintenance fees?
6 months grace period for the payment of each maintenance fee
What schedule does maintenance fee for reissue patents follow?
It is based upon the schedule established for the original patent
How does filing a request for ex parte or inter partes reexamination or publication of a reexamination certificate affect the schedule for maintenance fee?
It does NOT alter the schedule of maintenance fee payments of the original patent
Who can pay the maintenance fees?
the patentee or
any person or organization
What happens if patent expires because maintenance fee has NOT been paid?
the patentee may petition to the Director to accept any unavoidably or unintentionally delayed payment