FAQs Patent Questions

Question:Utility patents issued on and after 12/12/1980 are subject to the payment of maintenance fees

Answer:
All utility patents that issue from applications filed on and after December 12, 1980 are subject to the payment of maintenance fees which must be paid to maintain the patent in force. These fees are due at 3 1/2, 7 1/2 and 11 1/2 years from the date the patent is granted.

Question:The laws of the U.S make no discrimination against the citizenship of the inventor, any inventor may apply

Answer:
The patent laws of the United States make no discrimination with respect to the citizenship of the inventor. Any inventor, regardless of his/her citizenship, may apply for a patent on the same basis as a U.S. citizen. There are, however, a number of particular points of special interest to applicants located in foreign countries.

Question:Is it necessary to go to the USPTO to transact business concerning patent matters?

Answer:
No. Most business with the Office is conducted by written correspondence. Interviews regarding pending applications can be arranged with examiners if necessary and are often helpful.

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