The USPTO charges the same three maintenance fees to every patent holder — but independent inventors and small businesses can pay far less by claiming small entity (60% off) or micro entity (80% off) status. Over a patent's life those discounts add up to thousands of dollars.
| Window | Large Entity | Small Entity (−60%) | Micro Entity (−80%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5-year | $2,000 | $800 | $400 |
| 7.5-year | $3,760 | $1,504 | $752 |
| 11.5-year | $7,700 | $3,080 | $1,540 |
Small entity status is available to independent inventors, small businesses with fewer than 500 employees, and non-profit organisations such as universities — provided the patent rights have not been assigned or licensed to a party that would not itself qualify.
Micro entity status has stricter tests. In general you must already qualify as a small entity, must not be named as an inventor on more than four previously filed US applications, must not have a gross income above the USPTO's income threshold (roughly three times the median household income), and must not be under an obligation to assign to a party exceeding that income limit. A separate basis applies for applicants majority-employed by, or assigning to, an institution of higher education.
You certify entity status when you pay. Status can change over the patent's life: a licensing deal or acquisition can push a small entity up to large entity rates. Paying a reduced fee when you no longer qualify can jeopardise the patent, so status should be re-checked before every payment. PatentLapse tracks fee windows so a change in status is never missed at the moment it matters.
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Last updated: 2026-08-30 · Data: USPTO public domain · Not legal advice — consult a patent attorney before acting on this information.