Maintenance Fee Adviser (MFA) — Important Notice
Important legal and usage information about our Maintenance Fee Adviser service
The MFA provides algorithmic estimates and recommendations regarding U.S. patent maintenance fees. The MFA does not provide legal, financial, or tax advice, and no attorney-client relationship is created by its use. Decisions about paying, petitioning, or allowing a patent to lapse should be made by you and your qualified counsel, considering your specific facts and risk tolerance.
MFA uses public data sources, including the U.S. Patent Grant Maintenance Fee Events files covering patents granted from Sept. 1, 1981 to present. These files are cumulative and typically update weekly (Tuesdays ~3:00 PM U.S. Eastern); our interface displays the latest "Data through" date to reflect the most recent file we processed.
MFA outputs (scores/grades such as PAY, PAY—REVIEW,CONSIDER ABANDON, LET LAPSE) are probabilistic and depend on assumptions, public signals, and user-supplied inputs. Actual outcomes may differ due to undisclosed facts, subsequent legal developments, or business changes.
References to USPTO materials are for data provenance only and do not imply endorsement or affiliation with the USPTO.
You are responsible for verifying fee due dates, entity status, surcharges, petitions, reinstatements, and any official records before taking action.
✓ Always Verify
- • Official USPTO due dates
- • Current entity status
- • Applicable surcharges
- • Petition requirements
✓ Consult Professionals
- • Qualified patent counsel
- • Financial advisors
- • Tax professionals
- • Business advisors
This disclaimer is effective as of the date of last update. IP Brainbox reserves the right to modify this disclaimer at any time. Continued use of the MFA service constitutes acceptance of any modifications.