Innovation & intellectual property · 21/06/2005

Changes To Implement the Patent Search Fee Refund Provisions of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2005

The US Patent and Trademark Office is proposing changes to its rules to implement the refund provisions of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2005, which allows for the refund of excess claim fees and search fees in certain situations. The proposed changes aim to clarify the process for refunding the search fee for applicants who file a written declaration of express abandonment before an examination has been made.