The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) increase in patent-related fees in response to inflationary pressures took effect on January 19, 2025. This adjustment aims to ensure the agency has enough funding to maintain the efficiency of the U.S. patent system while supporting its broader strategic initiatives.
Most patent fees will see a general increase of 7.5%, with initial utility application fees—including filing, search, and examination—rising by 10%. Additionally, new fees are being introduced for continuing applications based on how long they have been pending. Applications filed six or more years after their earliest filing date will incur a $2,700 fee, while those filed nine or more years after will be subject to a $4,000 charge.
Requests for Continued Examination (RCE) will now follow a tiered structure. The first RCE will cost $1,500, while the second and subsequent RCEs will increase to $2,860. These changes reflect the USPTO’s efforts to align fees with actual service costs while also encouraging applicants to streamline their patent prosecution strategies.
Design patent application fees will also see an increase. The total cost for filing, searching, and examining a design application will rise by 36%, while the issue fee will increase by 76%. This reflects the growing complexity and demand for design patent protections.
With these price increases going into effect, it is now more important than ever to work with a well-qualified and cost-efficient patent representative. Get in touch with us at colton@mypatentguys.com.