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DOC/PTO RIN: 0651-AC53 Publication ID: Spring 2011 
Title: ●Changes to Examination Fees and Implementation of Alternatives to the Request for Continued Examination 
Abstract: The United States Patent and Trademark Office (Office) is proposing to amend the rules of practice to adjust the request for continued examination fee. The current request for continued examination fee is not set at an amount that recovers the Office's costs of the processing and examination provided when a request for continued examination is filed in an application. The Office is proposing to adjust the request for continued examination fee so that it more accurately reflects the Office's costs when a request for continued examination is filed in an application. In addition, the Office is proposing to revise the rules of practice to implement a procedure under which applicant may obtain consideration of an amendment or evidence filed after a final Office action or a notice of appeal by paying a specified fee. The Office is also proposing to revise the rules of practice to provide a procedure under which an applicant may obtain consideration of an information disclosure statement filed after payment of the issue fee by filing a petition to withdraw the application from issue including the petition fee, a certified statement, and a specified fee. The procedures will reduce the number of situations where applicant would need to file a request for continued examination. 
Agency: Department of Commerce(DOC)  Priority: Info./Admin./Other 
RIN Status: First time published in the Unified Agenda Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Long-Term Actions 
Major: No  Unfunded Mandates: No 
CFR Citation: 37 CFR 1   
Legal Authority: 35 USC 2(b)(2)    35 USC 41(d)(2)   
Legal Deadline:  None
Timetable:
Action Date FR Cite
NPRM  To Be Determined    
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No  Government Levels Affected: None 
Small Entities Affected: No  Federalism: No 
Included in the Regulatory Plan: No 
RIN Data Printed in the FR: No 
Agency Contact:
Joni Y. Chang
Senior Legal Advisor
Department of Commerce
Patent and Trademark Office
P. O. Box 1450,
Alexandria, VA 22313-1450
Phone:571 272-7720
Fax:571 273-7720