The USPTO has notified that it plans to increase many patent and trademark fees in 2016:
"As part of the USPTO’s continued commitment to fiscal responsibility, financial prudence and operational efficiency the agency reviews fee levels on at least a biennial basis. The fee review process incorporates a thorough evaluation of the existing fee schedule as well as significant research and analysis on potential revisions to the schedule.
Section 10 of the AIA authorizes the Director of the USPTO to set or adjust by rule all patent and trademark fees established, authorized, or charged under Title 35 of the U.S. Code and the Trademark Act of 1946 (15 U.S.C. § 1051 et seq.), respectively. When fees are set, the aggregate revenue from the patent fees may only recover the aggregate estimated cost of the patent operations, including administrative costs to the USPTO. Likewise, the aggregate revenue from the trademark fees may only recover the aggregate estimated cost of the trademark operations, also including administrative costs to the USPTO.
When the USPTO proposes to set or adjust fees for "filing, searching, examining, issuing, appealing, and maintaining patent applications and patents" as permitted by the AIA, those proposed fees will include a 50% reduction for small entities and a 75% reduction for micro entities as provided for in section 10(b) of the AIA. The applicants qualifying for a small entity discount (50%) will be those who meet the "small entity" definition in 35 U.S.C. § 41(h)(1). The applicants qualifying for a micro entity discount (75%) will be those who meet "micro entity" definition outlined in Section 11(g) of the AIA.
The AIA outlines the process that the USPTO will use when setting or adjusting fees by rule. This process is intended to be inclusive with two different points in time for the public to comment on proposed fee amounts."
Here's the USPTO's details:
Patent Fee Setting and Adjusting Proposal
80 FR 63543 - Notice of Public Hearing - PPAC (link is external)
Letter from the Director to PPAC
Table of Patent Fee Adjustments
Table of Patent Fees – Current, Proposed and Unit Cost
PPAC Executive Summary
PPAC Detailed Appendix
Trademark Fee Setting and Adjusting Proposal
80 FR 63542 - Notice of Public Hearing - TPAC (link is external)
Letter from the Director to TPAC
Table of Trademark Fee Adjustments
Table of Trademark Fees - Current, Proposed and Unit Cost
TPAC Executive Summary
TPAC Detailed Appendix
TPAC Hearing Agenda
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