98-32518. Revision of Patent Fees for Fiscal Year 1999  

  • [Federal Register Volume 63, Number 235 (Tuesday, December 8, 1998)]
    [Rules and Regulations]
    [Pages 67578-67584]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 98-32518]
    
    
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    DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
    
    Patent and Trademark Office
    
    37 CFR Part 1
    
    [Docket No. 98-0713170-8289-03]
    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 to reduce patent ``statutory'' fee amounts to 
    conform to the fee amounts set by law in the United States Patent and 
    Trademark Office Reauthorization Act, Fiscal Year 1999 (Pub. L. 105-
    358). The PTO is reducing, by a corresponding amount, a few fees that 
    track the statutory fees. The PTO is also reducing a non-statutory fee 
    to reflect current business practice. This final rule supersedes the 
    final rule that was published on July 24, 1998, and corrected on 
    September 3, 1998.
    
    EFFECTIVE DATE: The effective date for the amendments to the fee 
    amounts in 37 CFR 1.16, 1.17(a) through (d), (l), and (m), 1.18, 1.20, 
    and 1.492 is the date of enactment of Pub. L. 105-358 (November 10, 
    1998). The effective date for the amendments to the fee amounts in 37 
    CFR 1.17(r) and (s), and 1.21(a)(6)(ii) is December 8, 1998.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Matthew Lee by telephone at (703) 305-
    8051, by facsimile at (703) 305-8007, or by e-mail at 
    matthew.lee@uspto.gov.
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This final rule adjusts PTO fees in 
    accordance with the United States Patent and Trademark Office 
    Reauthorization Act, Fiscal Year 1999 (Pub. L. 105-358).
    
    Background
    
        Patent fees are authorized by 35 U.S.C. 41 and 35 U.S.C. 376. The 
    fees established under 35 U.S.C. 41(a) and (b) are referred to as the 
    ``statutory'' fees. 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 an annual basis to reflect fluctuations in the Consumer 
    Price Index (CPI). Section 10101 of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation 
    Act of 1990 (amended by section 8001 of Pub. L. 103-66) provided that 
    there would be a surcharge on all fees established under 35 U.S.C. 
    41(a) and (b). This surcharge provision was scheduled to expire on 
    October 1, 1998.
        Against this background, the PTO published a final rule in the 
    Federal Register of July 24, 1998, that revised patent fees for fiscal 
    year 1999 (63 FR 39731). See also 63 FR 46891 (September 3, 1998) 
    (correcting one of the fee amounts specified in the July 24, 1998 final 
    rule). The final rule had an effective date of October 1, 1998. The 
    notice provided that if superseding legislation were passed, the PTO 
    would publish a document in the Federal Register to ensure that the 
    fees established under the final rule would not take effect.
        Superseding legislation was passed. First, a series of continuing 
    resolution appropriations bills were enacted that maintained PTO fee 
    amounts at fiscal year 1998 rates from October 1, 1998, through October 
    21, 1998. See H.J. Res. 128, Pub. L. 105-240; H.J. Res. 133, Pub. L. 
    105-249; H.J. Res. 134, Pub. L. 105-254; H.J. Res. 135, Pub. L. 105-
    257; H.J. Res. 136, Pub. L. 105-260; and H.J. Res. 137, Pub. L. 105-
    273. In response, the PTO published a final rule in the Federal 
    Register of October 1, 1998, which delayed the effective date of the 
    July 24, 1998 final rule (63 FR 46891).
        Second, the Omnibus Consolidated and Emergency Supplemental 
    Appropriations Act, 1999 (Pub. L. 105-277) was signed by the President 
    on October 21, 1998. It maintained patent fees at their September 30, 
    1998 (fiscal year 1998) rates through either enactment of a 
    reauthorization statute, or if no such statute, then June 15, 1999. 
    Thus, it also superseded the PTO's July 24, 1998 final rule.
        Finally, the United States Patent and Trademark Office 
    Reauthorization Act, Fiscal Year 1999 (Pub. L. 105-358) was signed by 
    the President on November 10, 1998. Pub. L. 105-358 amends 35 U.S.C. 
    41(a) and (b) and, thus, statutorily resets 35 U.S.C. 41(a) and (b) 
    fees. That is, the fees established under 35 U.S.C. 41(a) and (b)--
    which in previous years had been determined using a base amount, a 
    surcharge amount, and cumulative CPI adjustments--are for the balance 
    of fiscal year 1999 set at the amounts specified in Pub. L. 105-358. 
    (In future years, these fees may be adjusted to reflect fluctuations in 
    the CPI.)
        This final rule conforms the patent fees set forth in 37 CFR 1.16, 
    1.17(a) through (d), (l), and (m), 1.18, 1.20, and 1.492 to the fee 
    amounts specified in Pub. L. 105-358. Specifically, it amends the 
    following sections to correspond to the patent fees specified in 
    amended 35 U.S.C. 41(a):
    
    1.16  (paragraphs (a) through (d), and (f) through (j)),
    1.17  (paragraphs (a) through (d), (l) and (m)),
    1.18  (paragraphs (a) through (c)), and
    1.492  (paragraphs (a) through (d)).
    
    Section 1.20 (paragraphs (d) through (g)) is amended to indicate the 
    patent fees specified in amended 35 U.S.C. 41(b).
        This final rule also adjusts two fees that track statutory fees, 
    and one non-statutory fee. Section 1.17, paragraphs (r) and (s), is 
    reduced to correspond to the fee provided in 35 U.S.C. 41(a)(1)(A), as 
    amended by Pub. L. 105-358. Section 1.21(a)(6)(ii) is being reduced to 
    reflect current business practice. The adjustment to section 
    1.21(a)(6)(ii) was announced in the July 24, 1998 final rule.
        Pub. L. 105-358 supersedes Pub. L. 105-277. The present notice 
    therefore supersedes any and all prior notices or corrections revising 
    patent fees for fiscal year 1999.
        A comparison of the September 30, 1998 fee amounts (i.e., the 
    fiscal year 1998 fee amounts) and the new fee amounts for fiscal year 
    1999 is included as an Appendix to this final rule.
    
    Procedures for Determining the Fee Owed During the Transition to 
    the New Fee Schedule
    
        With two exceptions, any fee amount that is paid on or after the 
    effective date
    
    [[Page 67579]]
    
    of the final fee adjustment would be subject to the new fees then in 
    effect. As will be further explained below, the two exceptions are the 
    filing fee required for a patent application filed under 35 U.S.C. 111 
    and the national fee for an application entering the national stage 
    under 35 U.S.C. 371.
        If a Certificate of Mailing or Transmission was used, and was 
    proper under Sec. 1.8(a)(1), the fee required is the lower of:
        (1) The fee in effect on the date the PTO receives the fee; or
        (2) The fee in effect on the date of mailing indicated on a proper 
    Certificate of Mailing or Transmission under Sec. 1.8(a)(1).
        Items for which a Certificate of Mailing or Transmission under 
    Sec. 1.8(a)(1) is not proper to include, for example, Continued 
    Prosecution Applications (CPAs) under Sec. 1.53(d) and other national 
    and international applications for patents. See 37 CFR 1.8(a)(2).
        Under Sec. 1.10(a), any correspondence delivered by the ``Express 
    Mail Post Office to Addressee'' service of the United States Postal 
    Service (USPS) is considered filed or received in the Office on the 
    date of deposit with the USPS. The date of deposit with the USPS is 
    shown by the ``date-in'' on the ``Express Mail'' mailing label or other 
    official USPS notation.
    
    a. The Filing Fee for Applications Filed Under 35 U.S.C. 111 and 37 CFR 
    1.53
    
        35 U.S.C. 111 provides for the filing of a patent application with 
    the PTO. If the filing fee for an application filed under 35 U.S.C. 111 
    is received when the application is filed, the filing fee required is 
    the filing fee in effect on the filing date assigned the application. 
    If the PTO receives the filing fee on a date later than the filing date 
    assigned the application, the filing fee required is the higher of:
        (1) The filing fee in effect on the filing date assigned the 
    application; or
        (2) The filing fee in effect on the date the PTO receives the 
    filing fee.
        The filing fee includes the basic fee, excess claims fees (if any), 
    and the multiple dependent claim fee (if any), for claims present on 
    filing (unless the excess or multiple dependent claims are canceled 
    before the filing fee is paid). Of course, if the basic filing fee is 
    received on a date later than the filing date assigned the application 
    filed under 35 U.S.C. 111, a surcharge as set forth in Sec. 1.16(e) is 
    also required.
    
    b. The Fees for International Applications Entering the National Stage 
    Under 35 U.S.C. 371 and 37 CFR 1.494 or 1.495
    
        35 U.S.C. 371 provides for the national stage filing of a patent 
    application under the Patent Cooperation Treaty. The basic national fee 
    for an international application entering the national stage is due not 
    later than the expiration of 20 months from the priority date in the 
    international application (or 30 months from the priority date if the 
    United States was elected prior to the expiration of 19 months from the 
    priority date). The amount of the basic national fee that is required 
    to be paid is the basic national fee in effect on the date the full fee 
    is received.
        The excess claim fees or the multiple dependent claim fee is the 
    higher of:
        (1) The excess claims fees and the multiple dependent claim fee in 
    effect on the date the PTO receives the basic national fee; or
        (2) The excess claims fees and the multiple dependent claim fee in 
    effect on the date the PTO receives (any of) these fees.
        In this respect, the practice for determining the fees due for 
    excess claims and any multiple dependent claim when entering into the 
    national stage is analogous to the practice for applications filed 
    under 35 U.S.C. 111.
        Fees for claims which are added after entry into the national stage 
    are determined by the fees in effect (for excess claims and multiple 
    dependent claim) on the date the PTO receives the fee(s).
    
    Other Considerations
    
        This final rule contains 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 significant for purposes of 
    Executive Order 12866.
        This final rule conforms the patent fees indicated in Part 1 of 
    title 37, Code of Federal Regulations, to the patent fee amounts set by 
    law. Therefore, prior notice and an opportunity for public comment are 
    not required pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553 (or any other law), and 30-day 
    prior publication in the Federal Register and the Official Gazette of 
    the Patent and Trademark Office is not required pursuant to 35 U.S.C. 
    41(f). 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.
    
    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.
    
        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))--$380.00
    By other than a small entity--$760.00
    
        (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))--$39.00
    By other than a small entity--$78.00
    
        (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 (Note that Sec. 1.75(c) indicates how 
    multiple dependent claims are considered for fee purposes.):
    
    By a small entity (Sec. 1.9(f))--$9.00
    By other than a small entity--$18.00
    
        (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))--$130.00
    By other than a small entity--$260.00
    * * * * *
        (f) Basic fee for filing each design application:
    
    By a small entity (Sec. 1.9(f))--$155.00
    By other than a small entity--$310.00
    
        (g) Basic fee for filing each plant application, except provisional 
    applications:
    
    By a small entity (Sec. 1.9(f))--$240.00
    By other than a small entity--$480.00
    
        (h) Basic fee for filing each reissue application:
    
    By a small entity (Sec. 1.9(f))--$380.00
    By other than a small entity--$760.00
    
        (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
    
    [[Page 67580]]
    
    of independent claims in the original patent:
    
    By a small entity (Sec. 1.9(f))--$39.00
    By other than a small entity--$78.00
    
        (j) In addition to the basic filing fee in a reissue application, 
    for filing or later presentation of each claim (whether independent or 
    dependent) in excess of 20 and also in excess of the number of claims 
    in the original patent (Note that Sec. 1.75(c) indicates how multiple 
    dependent claims are considered for fee purposes.):
    
    By a small entity (Sec. 1.9(f))--$9.00
    By other than a small entity--$18.00
    * * * * *
        3. Section 1.17 is amended by revising paragraphs (a)(1) through 
    (5), (b) through (d), (l), (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))--$55.00
    By other than a small entity--$110.00
    
        (2) For reply within second month:
    
    By a small entity (Sec. 1.9(f))--$190.00
    By other than a small entity--$380.00
    
        (3) For reply within third month:
    
    By a small entity (Sec. 1.9(f))--$435.00
    By other than a small entity--$870.00
    
        (4) For reply within fourth month:
    
    By a small entity (Sec. 1.9(f))--$680.00
    By other than a small entity--$1,360.00
    
        (5) For reply within fifth month:
    
    By a small entity (Sec. 1.9(f))--$925.00
    By other than a small entity--$1,850.00
    
        (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))--$150.00
    By other than a small entity--$300.00
    
        (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))--$150.00
    By other than a small entity--$300.00
    
        (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))--$130.00
    By other than a small entity--$260.00
    * * * * *
        (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 
    (Sec. 1.137(a)):
    
    By a small entity (Sec. 1.9(f))--$55.00
    By other than a small entity--$110.00
    
        (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 (Sec. 1.137(b)):
    
    By a small entity (Sec. 1.9(f))--$605.00
    By other than a small entity--$1,210.00
    * * * * *
        (r) For entry of a submission after final rejection under 
    Sec. 1.129(a):
    
    By a small entity (Sec. 1.9(f))--$380.00
    By other than a small entity--$760.00
    
        (s) For each additional invention requested to be examined under 
    Sec. 1.129(b):
    
    By a small entity (Sec. 1.9(f))--$380.00
    By other than a small entity--$760.00
    
        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))--$605.00
    By other than a small entity--$1,210.00
    
        (b) Issue fee for issuing a design patent:
    
    By a small entity (Sec. 1.9(f))--$215.00
    By other than a small entity--$430.00
    
        (c) Issue fee for issuing a plant patent:
    By a small entity (Sec. 1.9(f))--$290.00
    By other than a small entity--$580.00
    
        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))--$55.00
    By other than a small entity--$110.00
    
        (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))--$470.00
    By other than a small entity--$940.00
    
        (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 grant:
    
    By a small entity (Sec. 1.9(f))--$950.00
    By other than a small entity--$1,900.00
    
        (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))--$1,455.00
    By other than a small entity--$2,910.00
    * * * * *
        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))--$335.00
    By other than a small entity--$670.00
    
        (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))--$380.00
    By other than a small entity--$760.00
    
        (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))--$485.00
    By other than a small entity--$970.00
    
        (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))--$48.00
    By other than a small entity--$96.00
    
        (5) Where a search report on the international application has been 
    prepared by the European Patent Office or the Japanese Patent Office:
    
    
    [[Page 67581]]
    
    
    By a small entity (Sec. 1.9(f))--$420.00
    By other than a small entity--$840.00
    
        (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))--$39.00
    By other than a small entity--$78.00
    
        (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))--$9.00
    By other than a small entity--$18.00
    
        (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))--$130.00
    By other than a small entity--$260.00
    * * * * *
        Dated: December 2, 1998.
    Q. Todd Dickinson,
    Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce and Deputy Commissioner of 
    Patents and Trademarks.
    
        Note: The following appendix is provided as a courtesy to the 
    public, but is not a substitute for the rules. It will not appear in 
    the Code of Federal Regulations.
    
                              Appendix A.--Comparison of Prior and New Reduced Fee Amounts
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                            Indicates fees remain at
                                                                                                 FY 1998 amount
                   37 CFR Sec.                                 Description                 -------------------------
                                                                                              FY 1998      FY 1999
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    1.16(a)..................................  Basic Filing Fee...........................         $790         $760
    1.16(a)..................................  Basic Filing Fee (Small Entity)............          395          380
    1.16(b)..................................  Independent Claims.........................           82           78
    1.16(b)..................................  Independent Claims (Small Entity)..........           41           39
    1.16(c)..................................  Claims in Excess of 20.....................           22           18
    1.16(c)..................................  Claims in Excess of 20 (Small Entity)......           11            9
    1.16(d)..................................  Multiple Dependent Claims..................          270          260
    1.16(d)..................................  Multiple Dependent Claims (Small Entity)...          135          130
    1.16(e)..................................  Surcharge--Late Filing Fee.................          130  ...........
    1.16(e)..................................  Surcharge--Late Filing Fee (Small Entity)..           65  ...........
    1.16(f)..................................  Design Filing Fee..........................          330          310
    1.16(f)..................................  Design Filing Fee (Small Entity)...........          165          155
    1.16(g)..................................  Plant Filing Fee...........................          540          480
    1.16(g)..................................  Plant Filing Fee (Small Entity)............          270          240
    1.16(h)..................................  Reissue Filing Fee.........................          790          760
    1.16(h)..................................  Reissue Filing Fee (Small Entity)..........          395          380
    1.16(i)..................................  Reissue Independent Claims.................           82           78
    1.16(i)..................................  Reissue Independent Claims (Small Entity)..           41           39
    1.16(j)..................................  Reissue Claims in Excess of 20.............           22           18
    1.16(j)..................................  Reissue Claims in Excess of 20 (Small                 11            9
                                                Entity).
    1.16(k)..................................  Provisional Application Filing Fee.........          150  ...........
    1.16(k)..................................  Provisional Application Filing Fee (Small             75  ...........
                                                Entity).
    1.16(l)..................................  Surcharge--Incomplete Provisional App.                50  ...........
                                                Filed.
    1.16(l)..................................  Surcharge--Incomplete Provisional App.                25  ...........
                                                Filed (Small Entity).
    1.17(a)(1)...............................  Extension--First Month.....................          110
    1.17(a)(1)...............................  Extension--First Month (Small Entity)......           55  ...........
    1.17(a)(2)...............................  Extension--Second Month....................          400          380
    1.17(a)(2)...............................  Extension--Second Month (Small Entity).....          200          190
    1.17(a)(3)...............................  Extension--Third Month.....................          950          870
    1.17(a)(3)...............................  Extension--Third Month (Small Entity)......          475          435
    1.17(a)(4)...............................  Extension--Fourth Month....................        1,510        1,360
    1.17(a)(4)...............................  Extension--Fourth Month (Small Entity).....          755          680
    1.17(a)(5)...............................  Extension--Fifth Month.....................        2,060        1,850
    1.17(a)(5)...............................  Extension--Fifth Month (Small Entity)......        1,030          925
    1.17(b)..................................  Notice of Appeal...........................          310          300
    1.17(b)..................................  Notice of Appeal (Small Entity)............          155          150
    1.17(c)..................................  Filing a Brief.............................          310          300
    1.17(c)..................................  Filing a Brief (Small Entity)..............          155          150
    1.17(d)..................................  Request for Oral Hearing...................          270          260
    1.17(d)..................................  Request for Oral Hearing (Small Entity)....          135          130
    1.17(h)..................................  Petition--Not All Inventors................          130  ...........
    1.17(h)..................................  Petition--Correction of Inventorship.......          130  ...........
    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 Fee.........          130  ...........
    1.17(h)..................................  Petition--Refusing Maintenance Fee--Expired          130  ...........
                                                Patent.
    1.17(h)..................................  Petition--Interference.....................          130  ...........
    1.17(h)..................................  Petition--Reconsider Interference..........          130  ...........
    1.17(h)..................................  Petition--Late Filing of Interference......          130  ...........
    1.20(b)..................................  Petition--Correction of Inventorship.......          130  ...........
    1.17(h)..................................  Petition--Refusal to Publish SIR...........          130  ...........
    1.17(i)..................................  Petition--For Assignment...................          130  ...........
    1.17(i)..................................  Petition--For Application..................          130  ...........
    
    [[Page 67582]]
    
     
    1.17(i)..................................  Petition--Late Priority Papers.............          130  ...........
    1.17(i)..................................  Petition--Suspend Action...................          130  ...........
    1.17(i)..................................  Petition--Divisional Reissues to Issue               130  ...........
                                                Separately.
    1.17(i)..................................  Petition--For Interference Agreement.......          130  ...........
    1.17(i)..................................  Petition--Amendment After Issue............          130  ...........
    1.17(i)..................................  Petition--Withdrawal After Issue...........          130  ...........
    1.17(i)..................................  Petition--Defer Issue......................          130  ...........
    1.17(i)..................................  Petition--Issue to Assignee................          130  ...........
    1.17(i)..................................  Petition--Accord a Filing Date Under Sec.            130  ...........
                                                1.53.
    1.17(i)..................................  Petition--Accord a Filing Date Under Sec.            130  ...........
                                                1.62.
    1.17(i)..................................  Petition--Make Application Special.........          130  ...........
    1.17(j)..................................  Petition--Public Use Proceeding............        1,510  ...........
    1.17(k)..................................  Non-English Specification..................          130  ...........
    1.17(l)..................................  Petition--Revive Abandoned Appl............          110  ...........
    1.17(l)..................................  Petition--Revive Abandoned Appl. (Small               55  ...........
                                                Entity).
    1.17(m)..................................  Petition--Revive Unintentionally Abandoned         1,320        1,210
                                                Appl.
    1.17(m)..................................  Petition--Revive Unintent Abandoned Appl.            660          605
                                                (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 Disclosure              240  ...........
                                                Statement (Sec.  1.97).
    1.17(q)..................................  Petition--Correction of Inventorship (Prov.           50  ...........
                                                App.).
    1.17(q)..................................  Petition--Accord a filing date (Prov. App.)           50  ...........
    1.17(q)..................................  Petition--Entry of submission after final             50  ...........
                                                rejection (Prov. App.).
    1.17(r)..................................  Filing a submission after final rejection            790          760
                                                (1.129(a)).
    1.17(r)..................................  Filing a submission after final rejection            395          380
                                                (1.129(a)) (Small Entity).
    1.17(s)..................................  Per add'l invention to be examined                   790          760
                                                (1.129(b)).
    1.17(s)..................................  Per add'l invention to be examined                   395          380
                                                (1.129(b)) (Small Entity).
    1.18(a)..................................  Issue Fee..................................        1,320        1,210
    1.18(a)..................................  Issue Fee (Small Entity)...................          660          605
    1.18(b)..................................  Design Issue Fee...........................          450          430
    1.18(b)..................................  Design Issue Fee (Small Entity)............          225          215
    1.18(c)..................................  Plant Issue Fee............................          670          580
    1.18(c)..................................  Plant Issue Fee (Small Entity).............          335          290
    1.19(a)(1)(i)............................  Copy of Patent.............................            3  ...........
    1.19(a)(1)(ii)...........................  Patent Copy--Overnight delivery to PTO Box             6  ...........
                                                or overnight fax.
    1.19(a)(1)(iii)..........................  Patent Copy Ordered by Expedited Mail or              25  ...........
                                                Fax--Exp. service.
    1.19(a)(2)...............................  Plant Patent Copy..........................           15  ...........
    1.19(a)(3)(i)............................  Copy of Utility Patent or SIR in Color.....           25  ...........
    1.19(b)(1)(i)............................  Certified Copy of Patent Application as               15  ...........
                                                Filed.
    1.19(b)(1)(ii)...........................  Certified Copy of Patent Application as               30  ...........
                                                Filed, Expedited.
    1.19(b)(2)...............................  Cert or Uncert Copy of Patent-Related File           150  ...........
                                                Wrapper/Contents.
    1.19(b)(3)...............................  Cert. or Uncert. Copies of Office Records,            25  ...........
                                                per Document.
    1.19(b)(4)...............................  For Assignment Records, Abstract of Title             25  ...........
                                                and Certification.
    1.19(c)..................................  Library Service............................           50  ...........
    1.19(d)..................................  List of Patents in Subclass................            3  ...........
    1.19(e)..................................  Uncertified Statement-Status of Maintenance           10  ...........
                                                Fee Payment.
    1.19(f)..................................  Copy of Non-U.S. Patent Document...........           25  ...........
    1.19(g)..................................  Comparing and Certifying Copies, Per                  25  ...........
                                                Document, Per Copy.
    1.19(h)..................................  Duplicate or Corrected Filing Receipt......           25  ...........
    1.20(a)..................................  Certificate of Correction..................          100  ...........
    1.20(c)..................................  Reexamination..............................        2,520  ...........
    1.20(d)..................................  Statutory Disclaimer.......................          110  ...........
    1.20(d)..................................  Statutory Disclaimer (Small Entity)........           55  ...........
    1.20(e)..................................  Maintenance Fee--3.5 Years.................        1,050          940
    1.20(e)..................................  Maintenance Fee--3.5 Years (Small Entity)..          525          470
    1.20(f)..................................  Maintenance Fee--7.5 Years.................        2,100        1,900
    1.20(f)..................................  Maintenance Fee--7.5 Years (Small Entity)..        1,050          950
    1.20(g)..................................  Maintenance Fee--11.5 Years................        3,160        2,910
    1.20(g)..................................  Maintenance Fee--11.5 Years (Small Entity).        1,580        1,455
    1.20(h)..................................  Surcharge--Maintenance Fee--6 Months.......          130  ...........
    1.20(h)..................................  Surcharge--Maintenance Fee--6 Months (Small           65  ...........
                                                Entity.
    1.20(i)(1)...............................  Surcharge--Maintenance After Expiration--            700  ...........
                                                Unavoidable.
    1.20(i)(2)...............................  Surcharge--Maintenance After Expiration--          1,640  ...........
                                                Unintentional.
    1.20(j)(1)...............................  Extension of Term of Patent Under 1.740....        1,120  ...........
    1.20(j)(2)...............................  Initial Application for Interim Extension            420  ...........
                                                Under 1.790.
    1.20(j)(3)...............................  Subsequent Application for Interim                   220  ...........
                                                Extension Under 1.790.
    1.21(a)(1)(i)............................  Application Fee (non-refundable)...........           40  ...........
    1.21(a)(1)(ii)...........................  Registration examination fee...............          310  ...........
    1.21(a)(2)...............................  Registration to Practice...................          100  ...........
    
    [[Page 67583]]
    
     
    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, Suitable                20  ...........
                                                Framing.
    1.21(a)(5)...............................  Review of Decision of Director, OED........          130  ...........
    1.21(a)(6)(i)............................  Regrading of A.M. section (PTO Practice and          230  ...........
                                                Procedure.
    1.21(a)(6)(ii)...........................  Regrading of P.M. section (Claim Drafting).          540          230
    1.21(b)(1)...............................  Establish Deposit Account..................           10
    1.21(b)(2)...............................  Service Charge Below Minimum Balance.......          $25  ...........
    1.21(b)(3)...............................  Service Charge Below Minimum Balance.......           25  ...........
    1.21(c)..................................  Filing a Disclosure Document...............           10  ...........
    1.21(d)..................................  Box Rental.................................           50  ...........
    1.21(e)..................................  International Type Search Report...........           40  ...........
    1.21(g)..................................  Self-Service Copy Charge...................          .25  ...........
    1.21(h)..................................  Recording Patent Property..................           40  ...........
    1.21(i)..................................  Publication in the OG......................           25  ...........
    1.21(j)..................................  Labor Charges for Services.................           40  ...........
    1.21(k)..................................  Unspecified Other Services.................        (\1\)  ...........
    1.21(k)..................................  Terminal Use APS-CSIR (per hour)...........           50  ...........
    1.21(l)..................................  Retaining abandoned application............          130  ...........
    1.21(m)..................................  Processing Returned Checks.................           50  ...........
    1.21(n)..................................  Handling Fee--Incomplete Application.......          130  ...........
    1.21(o)..................................  Terminal Use APS-TEXT......................           40  ...........
    1.24.....................................  Coupons for Patent and Trademark Copies....            3  ...........
    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. Application.....          450  ...........
    1.445(a)(2)(ii)..........................  PCT Search Fee--No U.S. Application........          700  ...........
    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          670
    1.492(a)(1)..............................  Preliminary Examining Authority (Small               360          335
                                                Entity).
    1.492(a)(2)..............................  Searching Authority........................          790          760
    1.492(a)(2)..............................  Searching Authority (Small Entity).........          395          380
    1.492(a)(3)..............................  PTO Not ISA nor IPEA.......................        1,070          970
    1.492(a)(3)..............................  PTO Not ISA nor IPEA (Small Entity)........          535          485
    1.492(a)(4)..............................  Claims--IPEA...............................           98           96
    1.492(a)(4)..............................  Claims--IPEA (Small Entity)................           49           48
    1.492(a)(5)..............................  Filing with EPO/JPO Search Report..........          930          840
    1.492(a)(5)..............................  Filing with EPO/JPO Search Report (Small             465          420
                                                Entity).
    1.492(b).................................  Claims--Extra Individual (Over 3)..........           82           78
    1.492(b).................................  Claims--Extra Individual (Over 3) (Small              41           39
                                                Entity).
    1.492(c).................................  Claims--Extra Total (Over 20)..............           22           18
    1.492(c).................................  Claims--Extra Total (Over 20) (Small                  11            9
                                                Entity).
    1.492(d).................................  Claims--Multiple Dependents................          270          260
    1.492(d).................................  Claims--Multiple Dependents (Small Entity).          135          130
    1.492(e).................................  Surcharge..................................          130  ...........
    1.492(e).................................  Surcharge (Small Entity)...................           65  ...........
    1.492(f).................................  English Translation--After 20 Months.......          130  ...........
    2.6(a)(1)................................  Application for Registration, Per Class....          245  ...........
    2.6(a)(2)................................  Amendment to Allege Use, Per Class.........          100  ...........
    2.6(a)(3)................................  Statement of Use, Per Class................          100  ...........
    2.6(a)(4)................................  Extension for Filing Statement of Use, Per           100  ...........
                                                Class.
    2.6(a)(5)................................  Application for Renewal, Per Class.........          300  ...........
    2.6(a)(6)................................  Surcharge for Late Renewal, Per Class......          100  ...........
    2.6(a)(7)................................  Publication of Mark Under Sec.  12(c), Per           100  ...........
                                                Class.
    2.6(a)(8)................................  Issuing New Certificate of Registration....          100  ...........
    2.6(a)(9)................................  Certificate of Correction of Registrant's            100  ...........
                                                Error.
    2.6(a)(10)...............................  Filing Disclaimer to Registration..........          100  ...........
    2.6(a)(11)...............................  Filing Amendment to Registration...........          100  ...........
    2.6(a)(12)...............................  Filing Affidavit Under Section 8, Per Class          100  ...........
    2.6(a)(13)...............................  Filing Affidavit Under Section 15, Per               100  ...........
                                                Class.
    2.6(a)(14)...............................  Filing Affidavit Under Sections 8 & 15, Per          200  ...........
                                                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, Per Class.....          100  ...........
    
    [[Page 67584]]
    
     
    2.6(a)(19)...............................  Dividing an Application, Per New                     100  ...........
                                                Application Created.
    2.6(b)(1)(i).............................  Copy of Registered Mark....................            3  ...........
    2.6(b)(1)(ii)............................  Copy of Registered Mark, overnight delivery            6  ...........
                                                to PTO box or fax.
    2.6(b)(1)(ii)............................  Copy of Reg. Mark Ordered Via Exp. Mail or            25  ...........
                                                Fax, Exp. Svc..
    2.6(b)(2)(i).............................  Certified Copy of TM Application as Filed..           15  ...........
    2.6(b)(2)(ii)............................  Certified Copy of TM Application as Filed,            30  ...........
                                                Expedited.
    2.6(b)(3)................................  Cert. or Uncert. Copy of TM-Related File              50  ...........
                                                Wrapper/Contents.
    2.6(b)(4)(i).............................  Cert. Copy of Registered Mark, Title or               15  ...........
                                                Status.
    2.6(b)(4)(ii)............................  Cert. Copy of Registered Mark, Title or               30  ...........
                                                Status--Expedited.
    2.6(b)(5)................................  Certified or Uncertified Copy of TM Records           25  ...........
    2.6(b)(6)................................  Recording Trademark Property, Per Mark, Per           40  ...........
                                                Document.
    2.6(b)(6)................................  For Second and Subsequent Marks in Same               25  ...........
                                                Document.
    2.6(b)(7)................................  For Assignment Records, Abstracts of Title            25  ...........
                                                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\)  ...........
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    \1\ Actual cost.
    
    [FR Doc. 98-32518 Filed 12-7-98; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 3510-16-P
    
    
    

Document Information

Published:
12/08/1998
Department:
Patent and Trademark Office
Entry Type:
Rule
Action:
Final rule.
Document Number:
98-32518
Dates:
The effective date for the amendments to the fee amounts in 37 CFR 1.16, 1.17(a) through (d), (l), and (m), 1.18, 1.20, and 1.492 is the date of enactment of Pub. L. 105-358 (November 10, 1998). The effective date for the amendments to the fee amounts in 37 CFR 1.17(r) and (s), and 1.21(a)(6)(ii) is December 8, 1998.
Pages:
67578-67584 (7 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Docket No. 98-0713170-8289-03
RINs:
0651-AA96: Revision of Patent and Trademark Fees for Fiscal Year 1999
RIN Links:
https://www.federalregister.gov/regulations/0651-AA96/revision-of-patent-and-trademark-fees-for-fiscal-year-1999
PDF File:
98-32518.pdf
CFR: (10)
37 CFR 1.129(a)
37 CFR 1.8(a)(1)
37 CFR 1.445(a)(2)
37 CFR 1.129(b)
37 CFR 1.16
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