In a final rule published today, the U.S. Department of Commerce (USPTO) adjusted the patent fees for fiscal year 2005. (69 F.R. 62604-06). The new fees go into effect October 1, 2004. According to the Patent Office, this increase simply reflects an inflationary increasing that is reflected in the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
As a note, legislation is still pending that would dramatically alter fee amounts and procedures (H.R. 1561 and S. 1760). If the legislation is enacted into law, the Office would likely make a mid-year shift in in assessed fees.
| FY 2005 Patent Fee Table |
Fee* |
|
Filing a non-provisional application. Extra independent claims |
$790 $88 |
| Issue fee |
$1,370 |
| Maintenance fees: Due at 3 1/2 years Due at 7 1/2 years Due at 11 1/2 years |
$940 |
| * Fees for small entities are 1/2 the listed fee. |