NOTICE OF FINAL RULEMAKING

PATENT FEE REVISIONS

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 (35 U.S.C. 41(a) and (b) fees) to conform to the fee amounts in the United States Patent and Trademark Office Reauthorization Act, Fiscal Year 1999 (Public Law 105-358). The new fee amounts for the 35 U.S.C. 41(a) and (b) fees reflect a modest reduction.

The effective date for the 35 U.S.C. 41(a) and (b) fee amounts is the date of enactment of Public Law 105-358, which was November 10, 1998. The effective date for the fee amounts in 37 CFR 1.17(r) and (s) is December 8, 1998, the date of publication in the Federal Register. A notice will be published in the Federal Register and in the Official Gazette of the United States Patent and Trademark Office to provide additional information.

Any fee amount that is paid on or after November 10, 1998 is subject to the new fee schedule. However, for the 37 CFR 1.17(r) and (s) fees, the fee amounts paid on or after December 8, 1998 is subject to the new fee schedule.

The fee schedule is accessible via the PTO Web site at www.uspto.gov. The PTO’s fees are periodically revised, usually on October 1. The most up-to-date fee amounts and information are maintained on the PTO Web site. If you have any questions related to patents and trademarks, please contact the PTO General Information Services Division at (703) 308-4357 or (800) PTO-9199, or by fax at (703) 305-7786.

Edward R. Kazenske
Acting Associate Commissioner and
Chief Financial Officer