Patent maintenance fees
Answer in brief
Utility patent maintenance fees are due 3 to 3.5, 7 to 7.5 and 11 to 11.5 years after grant, with a six-month grace period with surcharge after each window. If a fee is not paid by the end of the grace period, the patent expires. Design and plant patents have no maintenance fees.
Schedule
| Fee | Window | Grace period ends |
|---|---|---|
| First | 3 to 3.5 years | 4 years |
| Second | 7 to 7.5 years | 8 years |
| Third | 11 to 11.5 years | 12 years |
Sources for this entry
- USPTO — Maintain your patent USPTO
Maintenance fees are due 3 to 3.5, 7 to 7.5 and 11 to 11.5 years after issue, with surcharge grace periods to 4, 8 and 12 years.
Practical guidance is original editorial content. Company-published figures are the company's own claims and are labeled as such.
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Cite or share this entry
Patent Law Center. “Patent maintenance fees.” Wysebridge Reference. Content reviewed 9 November 2026.
https://patentlawcenter.com/patent-maintenance-fees/