2520 Maintenance Fee Amounts [R-08.2017]
37 CFR 1.20(e)-(h) sets the fee amounts for the maintenance fees and the grace period surcharge. The maintenance fee amounts are subject to adjustment to reflect fluctuations occurring in the Consumer Price Index pursuant to 35 U.S.C. 41(f). The maintenance fee amounts (37 CFR 1.20(e)-(h)) are subject to a 50% reduction for small entities pursuant to 35 U.S.C. 41(h) and a 75% reduction for micro entities. The Maintenance Fee Branch may be contacted or the USPTO Fee Information website (www.uspto.gov/Fees) may be accessed for the current maintenance fee amounts.
The term of a patent might be shortened, e.g., by a terminal disclaimer. If a patent will expire part way between the due dates set in 35 U.S.C. 41(b), or between the latest due date and the term set in 35 U.S.C. 154, it is still required that the entire maintenance fee amount for the due date be paid. The maintenance fee amount cannot be prorated to cover only the amount of time past the due date before the patent expires.
37 CFR 1.366(g) provides that maintenance fees and surcharges relating thereto will not be refunded except in accordance with 37 CFR 1.26 and 1.28(a). A patentee cannot obtain a refund of a maintenance fee that was due and payable on the patent. Any duplicate payment will be refunded to the fee submitter.
