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Maintenance Fees
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Maintenance fees are required on all patents issued after December 12, 1980 except design or plant patents.
The fees are due at three time-periods throughout the life of a patent:
- 3 years and 6 months after grant.
- 7 years and 6 months after grant.
- 11 years and 6 months after grant.
There is a grace period of 6 months which begins after the three time-periods mentioned above, the grace periods end at:
- 4 years after grant.
- 8 years after grant.
- 12 years after grant.
When paying during the 6 month grace period, there is a surcharge required in addition to the payment of the maintenance fee.
