PTO Publishes Final Rule on Micro Entity Status for Reduced Patent Application Fees

The Patent and Trademark Office issued a final rule Dec. 19 on its plan to implement the 75 percent discount on most patent fees for applicants meeting the “micro entity” status created under the America Invents Act (77 Fed. Reg. 75,019).

Applicants meeting the requirements of micro entity status will receive the discount effective March 19.

The agency also said that it “plans to seek additional public comment on the micro entity provisions after the Office and the public have gained experience with the micro entity procedures in operation.”

Micro Entity Qualifications Clarified.

Section 10 of the ...