Some fees paid to the United States Patent and Trademark Office will change dramatically on January 1, 2014. Here are some highlights.
The issue fee for a utility patent (large entity) will drop from $1770 to $960. The issue fee for small and micro entities will also be reduced. For this reason, we recommend that issue fees based on notices of allowance issued after October 1, 2013, be paid in 2014.
The $300 publication fee for patents is being eliminated. Additionally, the recordation fee for electronically filed patent assignments will also be eliminated on January 1, 2014.
Here is a link to the revised fee schedule: http://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/ac/qs/ope/fee010114.htm