Q: Are there any problems caused by me paying my 11.5 year patent fees, rather my lawyer? It looks easy, lawyer wants $700
A:
If you decide to pay your 11.5-year patent maintenance fees yourself rather than having your lawyer do it, there are generally no problems as long as you follow the correct procedure. The process may seem straightforward, but it's crucial to ensure that you meet all the deadlines and provide accurate information to avoid any complications. Missing a payment or making an error could lead to the expiration of your patent, which can be costly to fix.
By handling the payment on your own, you can save on the legal fees that your lawyer is charging. However, you will need to carefully review the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) guidelines for paying maintenance fees to make sure you are doing everything correctly. Double-check all the necessary details, such as your patent number and payment amount, to prevent any mistakes.
If you're comfortable with the process and confident in managing the deadlines, paying the fees yourself can be a good way to save money. Just be aware of the potential risks if you overlook any details. If you have any concerns or are unsure about the steps, you might want to reconsider whether the cost savings are worth the risk.
Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.