News

US Patent Law changes and a 15% increase in USPTO official fees | 6 October 2011

Previous news items (13th June and 12th September) have alerted our clients to some of the major changes proposed to US patent law. The Bill was signed by President Obama on 16th September as the Leahy-Smith “America Invents” Act. This is the “Effective date”, from which some of the Act’s provisions will commence, the majority of the changes however will be phased in over the next 12 months.

Whilst many of the changes introduced by the Act will be applauded by patent applicants (especially those outside the USA), one less welcome change is an immediate increase, by 15%, in USPTO official fees. Unfortunately this may mean that certain cost estimates given previously for US services, and not yet performed, will no longer be accurate and we apologise for any inconvenience in this connection.

If you have any specific concerns, please get in touch with your usual contact at Nash Matthews.