During patent prosecution fees can be drastically reduced by filing as a small entity. The discount in the USPTO fee schedule is nearly 50%. In order to qualify for these small entity discounts an applicant must qualify as a small entity under 37 CFR 1.27(a). An applicant can qualify as a small entity if the applicant(s) is/are:
A person under this statute means just that, a person. A small entity concern means a business entity that meets the size standards set forth in 13 CFR 121.801 through 121.805 which is a business entity with no more than 500 employees. This includes affiliates. Exceptions to the assignment and license rule do exist but are very limited. |
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