13 years ago

This is a reminder that as a result of President Obama's signature on Friday afternoon of the America Invents Act, PTO fees will increase by 15% beginning on September 26, 2011 (10 days after the September 16, 2011 signature by the President) in accordance with an interim fee schedule.

Accordingly, any matters involving PTO fees coming due in the near term (particularly patent maintenance fees) should be considered for possible acceleration, to effect savings under the current fee schedule.  This is particularly applicable to a payment of any patent maintenance fees that are within the "window period.”  The window periods for U.S. patents are (1) 3 years to 3 1/2 years after the date of issue for the first maintenance fee payment, (2) 7 years to 7 1/2 years after the date of issue for the second maintenance fee payment, and (3) 11 years to 11 1/2 years after the date of issue for the third and final maintenance fee payment.

Hultquist IP

Steven Hultquist

September 18, 2011