Small and Micro Entity Patent Applicant Fee Reductions

Patent fees to the United States Patent and Trademark Office are divided into three categories: large entity, small entity and micro entity.  Recently signed into law, the Unleashing American Innovators Act of 2022 aims to lower the financial entry barrier for innovators. The law increases the small entity discount from 50% to 60% and micro entity discount from 75% to 80%.

The Act also seeks to study the patent pro bono program (see more information on USPTO Patent Pro Bono program here) and provides for the establishment of a pilot program to assist first-time prospective patent applicants in assessing the strengths and weaknesses of a potential patent application.

For the full text of the Unleashing American Innovators Act of 2022, see Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023.