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Small Entity Status: Potential Pitfalls and Curative Measures

In 1980, Congress amended the patent code to require patent owners to pay periodic maintenance fees in order to keep their patents in force. In response to concerns about the financial impact on individual inventors and small businesses, a 'small entity' category was added to the law to permit certain individuals, nonprofit organizations, and small businesses to pay half of most normal U.S. Patent and Trademark Office ('PTO') fees.

32 minute read July 31, 2006 at 09:47 AM
By
Paul A. Ragusa
Small Entity Status: Potential Pitfalls and Curative Measures

In 1980, Congress amended the patent code to require patent owners to pay periodic maintenance fees in order to keep their patents in force.

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