About PatentPlain
PatentPlain is a free tool that helps inventors and small businesses work out which USPTO patent fee level their situation points to: undiscounted, small entity, or micro entity.
What the wizard does
The wizard asks one question at a time about the applicant, the inventors, and anyone who holds rights in the invention. Each question tests one requirement of the small entity rules (37 CFR 1.27) or the micro entity rules (37 CFR 1.29) and links to the regulation it comes from. At the end you see which fee level your answers point to, the regulations behind that result, and what it means for your issue and maintenance fees.
What it does not do
- It does not give legal advice. It applies published rules to the answers you give and cannot check whether those answers are correct.
- It does not file anything with the USPTO or look up your application.
- It does not ask for your name, email address, or application number.
- It does not cover every situation. If your facts do not fit the questions neatly, consult a registered patent practitioner.
Where the rules and fees come from
Every rule, limit, and fee amount on this site comes from a primary source: the Code of Federal Regulations on eCFR, the USPTO fee schedule, and USPTO guidance and forms. The full list is on the Sources page.
Before anything is published, each fee amount, limit, and citation is checked against the original text, and the date of that check is recorded with the data. The data is checked again at least once a year, including when the USPTO publishes a new micro entity income limit, and whenever the Federal Register publishes a new patent fee rule.
Who runs PatentPlain
PatentPlain is an independent project built and maintained by a software developer. It is not a law firm and is not affiliated with the USPTO, and no patent attorney or agent reviews individual results.
Report an error
If a fee amount, limit, or rule on this site looks wrong, email hello@patentplain.com with the page address and the source you are comparing it with. Each report is checked against the primary source, and confirmed errors are corrected on the site.
Legal disclaimer
PatentPlain provides general information about USPTO fee rules. It is not a law firm and is not affiliated with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. It does not provide legal advice, and using it does not create an attorney-client relationship.
The wizard applies published regulations to the answers you give. It cannot verify your facts or account for circumstances it does not ask about. Fee amounts and eligibility limits change, and your own circumstances can change after you file. You are responsible for any entity status you claim to the USPTO and for notifying the USPTO when you no longer qualify. If you are unsure, consult a registered patent practitioner.