USPTO official fees are undergoing major adjustments. Is your intellectual property layout ready?

In today's world where intellectual property and innovation are increasingly becoming the core drivers of global economic development, every policy adjustment by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) affects the hearts of global innovation entities. The recent announcement of USPTO's official fee adjustment plan has attracted widespread attention, and this reform will have a profound impact on the intellectual property layout of global enterprises in the United States.

Adjustment Time Nodes, Keep in Mind

Trademarks: The new fee standards will be officially implemented starting from January 18, 2025.

Invention and design patents: Following closely, the fee adjustment will take effect on January 19, 2025.

 Patent Fee Adjustments, Details Determine Costs 

Invention patents: Routine application and examination fees have increased across the board, and claim fees have even doubled. For the total number of claims exceeding 20, the fee per claim has jumped from $100 to $200; for independent claims exceeding 3, the fee per claim has increased by 25% to $600. In the annual fee stage, each year's fee has increased by 5%.

Design patents: Routine application and examination fees have also increased significantly. The basic application fee, search fee, and issuance fee have risen by 36%, 88%, and 76% respectively. The overall fee has increased by approximately 7%.

 Trademark Fees Surge, Layout Needs to Be Done Early 

The basic application fee for trademark registration has increased significantly by 40%, from $250 per class to $350 per class.

The official fees for filing based on intent-to-use and filing of evidence of use have also increased by 50%, from $100 per class to $150 per class.

Trademark declaration and renewal fees have also increased, with the maximum increase reaching 33%.

 Coping Strategies to Help You Deal with It Calmly 

Advance layout: Submit trademark and patent applications as soon as possible before the fee increase to complete the layout at the current lower fees and avoid cost increases.

Accelerate renewal and declaration: Especially for U.S. trademarks registered in 2019 and 2020, it is recommended to complete the five-year declaration before the fee increase. At the same time, trademarks that are about to undergo 10-year renewal should also go through the relevant procedures as soon as possible.

Optimize application strategies: Consider strategies such as accelerated examination to reduce additional application costs.

Continuous attention: Pay close attention to official notices from USPTO to promptly obtain the latest fee adjustment information and industry news.

Diversified layout: Appropriately adjust product pricing strategies to reduce operating costs, and consider expanding to other markets or platforms to diversify risks.

 Conclusion

USPTO's official fee adjustment will undoubtedly have a significant impact on the intellectual property layout of global enterprises in the United States. In the face of this change, enterprises and individuals must attach great importance to it and make preparations in advance.