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​​What is the Process to Maintain a Patent – Get InventHelp Services?

​​When you first receive your patent, the next step is to pay the fee. You can start making payments six months prior to the due date, and late fees and penalties will begin as soon as you miss the deadline. If you fall six months behind on the fees, your patent will lapse. There are various fees for maintaining a patent, and the biggest fee is paid by large entities with 500 or more employees. Small entities, on the other hand, usually pay only half of the fee.

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​​Cost of maintaining a patent

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​​How much does it cost to maintain a patent? The cost of maintaining a patent varies according to the frequency of payment. The first maintenance fee for a US patent is between $400 and $1600, while the same fee in China is $150 to $200. Fees also differ according to business size: large companies pay higher fees than small businesses. However, it is important to consider the total cost of maintaining a patent in the US.

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​​The first maintenance fee is due on the first anniversary of the grant of a patent, and each subsequent fee increases as the patent term progress. Over 80 percent of patent holders pay the first maintenance fee. After that, 70 percent pay the second maintenance fee, and about half pay the third. In all, it is estimated that only 50 percent of patent owners pay the third maintenance fee. But the amount of fee increases with the length of the patent, so it is best to pay early to avoid fees and surcharges.

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​​In some countries, the maintenance fee is low or non-existent, but it is an important part of the process. If a patent owner fails to pay the maintenance fee, their rights could be in jeopardy. Moreover, some countries do not allow missed maintenance fees, and some offer smaller annuities to small entities. Ultimately, it’s up to you to choose the right annuity payment firm that fits your business needs and budget.

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​​Cost of paying maintenance fees

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​​The costs of paying maintenance fees to maintain a patent vary by country, but they generally start at $1600 for a three-year patent. These fees can rise to three-hundred dollars for a seven-year patent and more than $3,000 for an eleven-year patent. For small entities, the fees can be much lower. But they can add up over time, especially if you’re an inventor with a new product that hasn’t yet reached the market.

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​​The cost of paying maintenance fees to maintain a patent varies, depending on how long the patent has been granted. For a 3.5-year patent, the maintenance fee is due January 15, 2018. It applies to two reissued patents, a pending application, and the latest reissued patent. For an additional $800, you can have your patent renewed or reissued. Regardless of your situation, you should always make the payment on time, otherwise, your patent may expire.

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​​Maintenance fees are paid to the USPTO at least once during the life of the patent, which is 20 years. These fees are due at 3.5, 7.5, and 11.5 years from the date of the original grant. You can also pay a surcharge to maintain your patent. The maintenance fee for a standard entity is $500 USD, while the cost for a small entity is $250. Micro entities pay $125 USD. Failure to pay maintenance fees results in your patent lapse and renegotiation.

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​​File a priority application

​​If you are looking to protect your patent, you should consider filing a priority application with the help of InventHelp services. Priority is a very simple concept, but it can get complicated in practice. If you lose your priority right, it could mean the difference between a successful patent application and a failed one. Here are a few tips to help you get priority to right the first time. Please note that this article does not constitute legal advice.

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​​A declaration of priority describes the basic information about the priority application. This document is filed at the time of a later application, usually within 16 months of the earliest priority date. For some countries, a certified copy or translation of a priority application is required. A representative will handle these formalities. If you file a priority application for the first time, you must have a valid patent application before you can do the rest.

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​​Pay maintenance fees

​​After a patent is granted, the patent owner must pay maintenance fees to maintain it. This fee is due every 3.5, 7.5, or 11 years. However, you may pay it six months in advance if possible. If you do not pay the fee on time, your patent will automatically expire at the end of the grace period. If you fail to pay on time, the USPTO Director may levy a surcharge.

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​​Failure to pay maintenance fees results in forfeiture of patent rights. This is because another person can apply for the same invention in the meantime. This is because patentability is based on prior art. Failing to pay maintenance fees does not erase your patent publication. As a result, patent rejections would be based on prior art. However, it is possible to get your patent reinstated if you paid the fees late.

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​​Monitor the marketplace for unauthorized use

​​To effectively enforce your patent rights, you must monitor the marketplace for unauthorized use. You can take action by sending a cease-and-desist demand letter to the infringer and pursuing other legal remedies. Failure to properly police your intellectual property will allow others to take advantage of your invention and erode the value of your patent. To avoid a legal battle, follow these tips for effective patent monitoring.

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​​File a renewal petition

​​How to File a renewal petition to maintain a US patent? The renewal process can be challenging, especially if your patent has expired due to the nonpayment of maintenance fees. There are several steps to follow to ensure your renewal is granted without delays. First, you must establish that your delay was unintentional. In addition, you must include any maintenance fees owed and the fee to file the petition.

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​​You must pay a renewal fee on the anniversary of your filing date. However, you should be aware of the grace period granted by the patent office. In most cases, you have six months to make your payment. Alternatively, you can pay the fee in full within the grace period.

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​​File a response to a patent

​​If you have received a rejection of a patent application, you may be wondering how to file a response to the action. In many cases, a response is an opportunity to amend claims or specifications, and to address perceived errors in the application. The patent attorney will draft the response document by noting the errors he feels were made in the original office action. Often, an InventHelp attorney will amend the claims in order to clarify the invention and overcome prior art. The attorney will also argue that the pending claims are patentable.

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​​An examiner’s Office actions often provide contact information. You can contact the examiner by email and arrange an interview. Because patent examiners are busy, you should schedule the interview a few weeks ahead of time. However, do not complain or lecture the examiner; you must make your arguments clear and present evidence that proves your point. In addition, a draft response may serve as a talking point, and be submitted to the examiner informally.

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