[Patentpractice] FW: Maintenance Fees - Entity Status Changed by USPTO?

Wed Sep 3 20:40:09 UTC 2025

Dale (cc to list serve) - Yes.  My forms in my zip file available on my
website contains a sequence of forms in a single pdf file, and the forms
include a SE and plural ME home brew forms.  See the document named
"D_A_P_SE_ME_IDS_ADS" in wpd, pdf,  and rtf formats for your copying and
modifying pleasure, in the zip file downloadable from this URl:
https://www.neifeld.com/forms.html

The  D_A_P_SE_ME_IDS_ADS refers to Dec-Assignment, Power, Small Entity,
MicroEntity, Information Disclosure Statement, Application Data Sheet, so
that one document includes all those homebrew forms in the sequence they
appear in the filename.

I would appreciate anyone using them as templates to suggest improvements
(or, g_d forbid, errors).  Thanks, RICK

On Wed, Sep 3, 2025 at 4:07 PM Dale Quisenberry <dale at quisenberrylaw.com>
wrote:

> Thanks for sharing this, Rick.
>
>
>
> I know you have shared various forms in the past.
>
>
>
> Do you have a discussion of small entity status in your engagement letter?
>
>
>
> Do you have a form letter or email you send the client explain what it
> means and have them sign off?  You mentioned a signature.  Is that a hard
> copy coming back or electronically?
>
>
>
> Thanks again for sharing your experience and passing on the torch of
> knowledge!
>
>
>
> Dale
>
>
>
> C. Dale Quisenberry
>
> Quisenberry Law PLLC
>
> 13910 Champion Forest Drive, Suite 203
>
> Houston, Texas 77069
>
> (832) 680.5000 (office)
>
> (832) 680.1000 (mobile)
>
> (832) 680.5555 (facsimile)
>
> www.quisenberrylaw.com
>
>
>
> *This email may contain information that is confidential and subject to
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>
> *From: *Patentpractice <patentpractice-bounces at oppedahl-lists.com> on
> behalf of Rick Neifeld via Patentpractice <
> patentpractice at oppedahl-lists.com>
> *Date: *Wednesday, 3 September 2025 at 3:03 pm
> *To: *For patent practitioners. This is not for laypersons to seek legal
> advice. <patentpractice at oppedahl-lists.com>
> *Cc: *Rick Neifeld <richardneifeld at gmail.com>
> *Subject: *Re: [Patentpractice] Maintenance Fees - Entity Status Changed
> by USPTO?
>
> 1. I require at least a written acknowledgement from a client (or in the
> case of a client having a local agent, from the local agent) that they are
> aware of the small entity status requirements and after factual
> investigation confirm that the patent is still entitled to small entity
> status.  For direct clients, I normally require a newly signed SE form
> before making a maintenance fee payment on their behalf.
>
>
>
> That does not moot PatentCenter sub slientio having changed entity status,
> but it puts the factual investigation and conclusions where they should be;
> with the person having personal knowledge of the facts.
>
>
>
> 2. I wonder of PatentCenter has implemented some algorithm to
> automatically remove SE status from all patents owned by an entity if
> someone pays a MF for one patent owned by that entity at the non SE rate.
> Call me slightly paranoid of USPTO actions, ever since the DOCX requirement.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> On Wed, Sep 3, 2025 at 2:23 PM Suzannah K. Sundby via Patentpractice <
> patentpractice at oppedahl-lists.com> wrote:
>
> Of course… but I imagine some patentees who use maintenance fee vendors
> might claim they made an innocent mistake/oversight… but if they have to
> actively/purposefully change the entity status back to small entity in
> PatentCrapper, one can’t really claim an innocent oversight.
>
>
>
> Hence, why I wonder if the USPTO might be purposefully changing to large
> entity to force one to have to actively change to small… then if small
> entity is wrongly claimed, the USPTO can levy the significant penalty and
> even invalidate the patent.
>
>
>
> Suzannah K. Sundby <http://www.linkedin.com/in/ssundby/> *|* Partner
>
> canady + lortz LLP <http://www.canadylortz.com/>
>
> 1050 30th Street, NW
>
> Washington, DC 20007
>
> T: 202.486.8020
>
> F: 202.540.8020
>
> suzannah at canadylortz.com
>
> www.canadylortz.com
>
> Confidentiality Notice:  This message is being sent by or on behalf of a
> lawyer.  It is intended exclusively for the individual or entity to which
> it is addressed.  This communication may contain information that is
> proprietary, privileged or confidential, or otherwise legally exempt from
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>
> *From:* Roger Browdy <Roger.Browdy at FisherBroyles.com>
> *Sent:* Wednesday, September 3, 2025 2:09 PM
> *To:* For patent practitioners. This is not for laypersons to seek legal
> advice. <patentpractice at oppedahl-lists.com>
> *Cc:* Suzannah K. Sundby <suzannah at canadylortz.com>
> *Subject:* RE: Maintenance Fees - Entity Status Changed by USPTO?
>
>
>
> Of course, you are well aware that the rules require that you check that
> small entity still applies each time to pay a maintenance fee, whether the
> PTO has previously recognized it as a small entity or not.
>
>
>
> *Roger L. Browdy*
>
> Partner
>
> _____________________________________________
>
> *FisherBroyles, LLP*
>
> direct: +1 202-277-5198
>
> *roger.browdy at fisherbroyles.com <roger.browdy at fisherbroyles.com>*
>
> www.fisherbroyles.com
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>
> *From:* Patentpractice <patentpractice-bounces at oppedahl-lists.com> *On
> Behalf Of *Suzannah K. Sundby via Patentpractice
> *Sent:* Wednesday, September 3, 2025 8:41 AM
> *To:* patentpractice at oppedahl-lists.com
> *Cc:* Suzannah K. Sundby <suzannah at canadylortz.com>
> *Subject:* Re: [Patentpractice] Maintenance Fees - Entity Status Changed
> by USPTO?
>
>
>
> Which btw if this is what the USPTO is doing… it’s a totally sh*tty move
> as it will require significant bullsh*t paperwork/unbillable time.
>
>
>
> Suzannah K. Sundby
> <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.linkedin.com_in_ssundby_&d=DwMFAg&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=7yDyUE5lzuruhwIvS68v9eFQKnrJuSrXb1MxDfvR_V8&m=8wFZLFNF4_wLb-PNI6ALwm82yFuMK2gz3L2RESKcBuUxfXHzIFZ0fe1DtRD3HVxE&s=JFys10_4BIgCqV30L_nUUSnym5rCP1KjEcKYVsLJOGc&e=>
> *|* Partner
>
> canady + lortz LLP
> <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.canadylortz.com_&d=DwMFAg&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=7yDyUE5lzuruhwIvS68v9eFQKnrJuSrXb1MxDfvR_V8&m=8wFZLFNF4_wLb-PNI6ALwm82yFuMK2gz3L2RESKcBuUxfXHzIFZ0fe1DtRD3HVxE&s=SCL5Jt-D2aERaiZrQbVc1EFnEYP-3q0lge0m4PWN4FE&e=>
>
> 1050 30th Street, NW
>
> Washington, DC 20007
>
> T: 202.486.8020
>
> F: 202.540.8020
>
> suzannah at canadylortz.com
>
> www.canadylortz.com
> <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.canadylortz.com_&d=DwMFAg&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=7yDyUE5lzuruhwIvS68v9eFQKnrJuSrXb1MxDfvR_V8&m=8wFZLFNF4_wLb-PNI6ALwm82yFuMK2gz3L2RESKcBuUxfXHzIFZ0fe1DtRD3HVxE&s=SCL5Jt-D2aERaiZrQbVc1EFnEYP-3q0lge0m4PWN4FE&e=>
>
> Confidentiality Notice:  This message is being sent by or on behalf of a
> lawyer.  It is intended exclusively for the individual or entity to which
> it is addressed.  This communication may contain information that is
> proprietary, privileged or confidential, or otherwise legally exempt from
> disclosure.  If you are not the named addressee, you may not read, print,
> retain, copy, or disseminate this message or any part.  If you have
> received this message in error, please notify the sender immediately by
> e-mail and delete all copies of the message.
>
>
>
> *From:* Suzannah K. Sundby
> *Sent:* Wednesday, September 3, 2025 8:39 AM
> *To:* patentpractice at oppedahl-lists.com
> *Subject:* Maintenance Fees - Entity Status Changed by USPTO?
>
>
>
> The first maintenance fee is due in a patent.  The client asked me to
> change it to small entity so their vendor can pay the small entity
> maintenance fee.
>
>
>
> I checked my records and PatentCrapper.  The application was filed as
> small entity and the issue fee was also paid as small entity, and at no
> time did we change the entity status to Large.
>
>
>
> Yet, strangely, PatentCrapper shows the entity status as being Regular
> Undiscounted.
>
>
>
> Has this happened to anyone else?
>
>
>
> I wonder if the USPTO has decided to automatically change entity status to
> large for patentees who are companies (not obviously research institutions)
> to force one to reassert small entity status when paying maintenance fees…
> and thereby having grounds for applying the severe penalties for incorrect
> assertions…
>
>
>
> Suzannah K. Sundby
> <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.linkedin.com_in_ssundby_&d=DwMFAg&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=7yDyUE5lzuruhwIvS68v9eFQKnrJuSrXb1MxDfvR_V8&m=8wFZLFNF4_wLb-PNI6ALwm82yFuMK2gz3L2RESKcBuUxfXHzIFZ0fe1DtRD3HVxE&s=JFys10_4BIgCqV30L_nUUSnym5rCP1KjEcKYVsLJOGc&e=>
> *|* Partner
>
> canady + lortz LLP
> <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.canadylortz.com_&d=DwMFAg&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=7yDyUE5lzuruhwIvS68v9eFQKnrJuSrXb1MxDfvR_V8&m=8wFZLFNF4_wLb-PNI6ALwm82yFuMK2gz3L2RESKcBuUxfXHzIFZ0fe1DtRD3HVxE&s=SCL5Jt-D2aERaiZrQbVc1EFnEYP-3q0lge0m4PWN4FE&e=>
>
> 1050 30th Street, NW
>
> Washington, DC 20007
>
> T: 202.486.8020
>
> F: 202.540.8020
>
> suzannah at canadylortz.com
>
> www.canadylortz.com
> <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.canadylortz.com_&d=DwMFAg&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=7yDyUE5lzuruhwIvS68v9eFQKnrJuSrXb1MxDfvR_V8&m=8wFZLFNF4_wLb-PNI6ALwm82yFuMK2gz3L2RESKcBuUxfXHzIFZ0fe1DtRD3HVxE&s=SCL5Jt-D2aERaiZrQbVc1EFnEYP-3q0lge0m4PWN4FE&e=>
>
> Confidentiality Notice:  This message is being sent by or on behalf of a
> lawyer.  It is intended exclusively for the individual or entity to which
> it is addressed.  This communication may contain information that is
> proprietary, privileged or confidential, or otherwise legally exempt from
> disclosure.  If you are not the named addressee, you may not read, print,
> retain, copy, or disseminate this message or any part.  If you have
> received this message in error, please notify the sender immediately by
> e-mail and delete all copies of the message.
>
>
>
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>
>
> --
>
> Best regards
>
> Rick Neifeld, J.D., Ph.D.
>
> Neifeld IP Law PLLC
>
> 9112 Shearman Street, Fairfax VA 22032
>
> Mobile: 7034470727
>
> Email: RichardNeifeld at gmail.com;
>
>
>

-- 
Best regards
Rick Neifeld, J.D., Ph.D.
Neifeld IP Law PLLC
9112 Shearman Street, Fairfax VA 22032
Mobile: 7034470727
Email: RichardNeifeld at gmail.com;
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