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 (Public Law 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 Public Law 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 (Public Law 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 Public Law 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, P.L. 105-240; H.J. Res. 133, P.L. 105-249; H.J. Res. 134, P.L. 105-254; H.J. Res. 135, P.L. 105-257; H.J. Res. 136, P.L. 105-260; and H.J. Res. 137, P.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 (P.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 (Public Law 105-358) was signed by the President on November 10, 1998. Public Law 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 Public Law 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 Public Law 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 Public Law 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. Public Law 105-358 supersedes Public Law 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 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 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 1.8(a)(1). Items for which a Certificate of Mailing or Transmission under 1.8(a)(1) is not proper include, for example, Continued Prosecution Applications (CPAs) under 1.53(d) and other national and international applications for patents. See 37 CFR 1.8(a)(2). Under 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 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 Lists of Subjects 37 CFR Part 1 Administrative practice and procedure, Inventions and patents, Reporting and record keeping 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: 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 ( 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 ( 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 1.75(c) indicates how multiple dependent claims are considered for fee purposes.): By a small entity ( 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 ( 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 ( 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 ( 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 ( 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 of independent claims in the original patent: By a small entity ( 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 1.75(c) indicates how multiple dependent claims are considered for fee purposes.): By a small entity ( 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: 1.17 Patent application processing fees. (a)*** (1) For reply within first month: By a small entity ( 1.9(f)) $55.00 By other than a small entity $110.00 (2) For reply within second month: By a small entity ( 1.9(f)) $190.00 By other than a small entity $380.00 (3) For reply within third month: By a small entity ( 1.9(f)) $435.00 By other than a small entity $870.00 (4) For reply within fourth month: By a small entity ( 1.9(f)) $680.00 By other than a small entity $1,360.00 (5) For reply within fifth month: By a small entity ( 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 ( 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 ( 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 ( 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 ( 1.137(a)): By a small entity ( 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 ( 1.137(b)): By a small entity ( 1.9(f)) $605.00 By other than a small entity $1,210.00 ***** (r) For entry of a submission after final rejection under 1.129(a): By a small entity ( 1.9(f)) $380.00 By other than a small entity $760.00 (s) For each additional invention requested to be examined under 1.129(b): By a small entity ( 1.9(f)) $380.00 By other than a small entity $760.00 4. Section 1.18 is revised to read as follows: 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 ( 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 ( 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 ( 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: 1.20 Post issuance fees. ***** (d) For filing each statutory disclaimer ( 1.321): By a small entity ( 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 ( 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 ( 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 ( 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: 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: 1.492 National stage fees. ***** (a) The basic national fee: (1) Where an international preliminary examination fee as set forth in 1.482 has been paid on the international application to the United States Patent and Trademark Office: By a small entity ( 1.9(f)) $335.00 By other than a small entity $670.00 (2) Where no international preliminary examination fee as set forth in 1.482 has been paid to the United States Patent and Trademark Office, but an international search fee as set forth in 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 ( 1.9(f)) $380.00 By other than a small entity $760.00 (3) Where no international preliminary examination fee as set forth in 1.482 has been paid and no international search fee as set forth in 1.445(a)(2) has been paid on the international application to the United States Patent and Trademark Office: By a small entity ( 1.9(f)) $485.00 By other than a small entity $970.00 (4) Where an international preliminary examination fee as set forth in 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 1.496(b)): By a small entity ( 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: By a small entity ( 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 ( 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 1.75(c) indicates how multiple dependent claims are considered for fee calculation purposes.): By a small entity ( 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 ( 1.9(f)) $130.00 By other than a small entity $260.00 ***** December 2, 1998 Q. TODD DICKINSON Deputy Commissioner of Patents and Trademarks