<div dir="ltr">Bill,<div><br></div><div>With those facts, yes, a refund request would be proper. <div><br></div><div>-Michael</div><div><br></div></div></div><br><div class="gmail_quote gmail_quote_container"><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr">On Fri, Jun 13, 2025 at 8:03\u202fAM William Ahmed via Patentpractice <<a href="mailto:patentpractice@oppedahl-lists.com">patentpractice@oppedahl-lists.com</a>> wrote:<br></div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex"><div><div style="font-family:"Helvetica Neue",Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px"><div dir="ltr">Dear List,</div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">BACKGROUND </div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">Recently, a client of ours was spun off by their large-entity parent company.</div><div dir="ltr">It was a clean break - this former parent company owns no stock and has no license to practice any of our client's patent [not even a non-exclusive license]</div><div dir="ltr">There are completely new shareholders (angel investors) - the former parent is gone.</div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">Earlier this week, the client's <span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:"Helvetica Neue",Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif">General Counsel</span></span> related this to me on the phone. </div><div dir="ltr">I emailed her MPEP 509.02 (Small Entity Status) along with the Small Business Act, and all relevant material.</div><div dir="ltr"><span>The General Counsel then confirmed that they are currently a small entity, and have been so since April 15, 2025 [the day the spin-off was finalized]</span></div><div dir="ltr"><span><br></span></div><div dir="ltr"><span>NOTE --> even though the spin-off occurred almost two months ago [04/15/25], I only learned of it this week. Typically, we work primarily with their engineering team (who give the final OK for patent drafts).</span></div><div dir="ltr"><span>We </span>only consult with their General Counsel occasionally.</div><div dir="ltr"><span><br></span></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">MY QUESTION </div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">On April 29 2025, their engineers gave us the "final OK" to file a new US non-provisional, we did so.</div><div dir="ltr">At the time, they were a small entity, but simply did not konw.</div><div dir="ltr">Thus, on April 29, 2025 we intentionally paid filing-fees via Patent Center at large entity rates - we did not know that they are a small entity.</div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">Can we now NOW a refund of the difference between 'large entity' and 'small entity fees]?</div><div dir="ltr">Our payment at large entity rates was intentional, but based on incorrect information.</div><div dir="ltr"><br>If such a refund request IS proper, then YES I know that we must do it before June 29, 2025 [two months after fees were paid at large entity rates]</div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">Wishing everyone a pleasant weekend,</div><div dir="ltr">Bill</div></div></div>-- <br>
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