Caroline J. Fox testified yesterday at the United States Patent and Trademark Office regarding proposed fee increases. These fee increases would affect fees due to the USPTO across the board, including application fees, intent to use fees, fees for letters of protest, Section 8 maintenance fees, etc. Fee increases, some up as much as 400%, are currently being explored to ensure the USPTO maintains its operating budget. However, Ms. Fox argues that the drastic increases are against the USPTO’s mission of enabling innovation and supporting entrepreneurs, who are already struggling to combat the effects of inflation on their budgets.
Information on the proposed increases and other changes at the USPTO can be found at the Federal Register. Transcripts and video of the testimony will be available at a later date.
