Patent maintenance fees come due at 3.5, 7.5, and 11.5 years. A simple guide to paying on time and deciding which patents are worth keeping.
Do you know what patent maintenance is? It’s like taking care of a car so it keeps running. For patents, you pay money to the US Patent Office to keep your patents working. This is important for your business.
You need to pay fees at 3.5, 7.5, and 11.5 years after you get your patent. Remember, each time, the fee gets a bit higher. Don’t miss these dates, or you might lose your patent!
How do you know if you should keep a patent? Think about these things:
If the answer to all or some of these questions is no, you might consider abandoning the patent to save money on maintenance fees.
Not sure which renewals are worth paying? Model your fees with the patent budget calculator, or let ipCG’s IP budgeting team help prune the list.
Imagine a company, let’s call it “TechSmart.” They had a patent for a special way to keep data safe. At first, it didn’t seem super important. But then, keeping data safe became a big deal. Because TechSmart kept their patent, they made lots of money and became famous for their data safety technology. This story shows why keeping your patents can be really good for your business.
Always remember to pay your patent fees on time. Check the US Patent Office’s website for the latest fee information. And think carefully about which patents are important for your business.
Do patents seem confusing? Don’t worry, we’re here to help! At ipCapital Group, we know all about patents and can help you make the best choices. Contact us and let’s talk about how to keep your patents safe and good for your business.
Remember: Patents are important. Pay your fees, think about which patents are best for you, and ask for help if you need it. Your patents can help your business be a success!
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Written by
Seth Cronin