patent maintenance fees

[ipod]

What is the name of your state? PA

When my patent issued on November 2, 1999, I received a letter from my patent attorney who wrote, "Fees must be paid to maintain the term of the patent. We will be keeping you informed of these fees during the term of this patent." I filed this letter away along with my patent.

A few weeks ago, I came into some money, enough to complete my prototype that had been lanquishing for years. I dusted off the old business plan and updated it. I hired a regulations consultant, and a few engineers. I found my patent in the file cabinet last week and was sickened to learn that I failed to pay the maintenance fees by the due date. I contacted my patent attorney of record in writing and asked him why he didn't send a reminder notice. He wrote back a disturbing letter that contained many libelous statements. The man has some definite issues. Anyway, from my own investigation, I learned that it is possible to revive the patent. However, the fees are very high for this. I'm now wanting to know if my patent attorney is responsible in any way for not reminding me about the fee schedule when he said he would. Or am I completely responsible for this oversight? What say you? Thanks in advance.

-ipod

 

[HomeGuru]

I say that you are not authorized to use your user name.

 

[ipod]

Not exactly what I was looking for, but thanks just the same. Actually, I just made that moniker up..had no idea Apple just came out with the 'ipod' until I google searched.

-ipod

 

[divgradcurl]

"I'm now wanting to know if my patent attorney is responsible in any way for not reminding me about the fee schedule when he said he would."

What does your written agreement with the attorney say about maintenance fees? Are you, the inventor, receiving any correspondence from the USPTO, or is the attorney receiving all of the correspondence?

BTW, you can always look up your maintenance fee schedule through PAIRS on the USPTO website...