Pending Patent-Fee Increase Will Account For Inflation

Compiled ByJohn S. McClenahen Beginning Oct. 1, protecting innovation will cost a little more. The basic fee for filing a patent application with the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO), a U.S. Commerce Dept. agency, will rise to $355 from $345 for small firms; and to $710 from $690 for larger companies. The higher fees reflect a 2.68% adjustment for inflation during the last 12 months. Also on Oct. 1, the USPTO's fee for issuing an original patent to a small firm will rise to $620 from $605; for larger companies the charge will be $1,240, up from $1,210.