Effective October 2, 2020: Final Rule—Setting and Adjusting Patent Fees

The USPTO has issued its final rule setting and adjusting patent fees, effective October 2, 2020. Among the changes:

• Utility issue fees are increasing 20% (to $1,200 undiscounted)
• First maintenance fee at 3.5 years is increasing 25% (to $2,000 undiscounted)
• IPR request fee is increasing 23% (to $19,000)
• Filing a new application in non-DOCX format will incur a new fee ($400 undiscounted)

Other fee adjustments are more minor, with many fees increasing $20-$60.

On Monday, August 3, 2020, the Federal Register will publish "Setting and Adjusting Patent Fees during Fiscal Year 2020" that will detail further information.