By Christopher P. Singer —

"In these economic times" it seems that
new USPTO Director David Kappos understands that people appreciate an
opportunity to save money.  Patent Docs is
happy to report that the Patent Office has announced on its website (interestingly, "buried" underneath a story about the Director's swearing in) that it will not require
registered practitioners to pay the $118 annual practitioner maintenance fee
for FY 2009.  According to the announcement, any overly-proactive practitioners
who have voluntarily paid the $118 fee will receive a refund.  The USPTO will be considering whether to
proceed with this fee requirement in FY 2010 in the coming months, and will
provide ample notice in the event it decides to collect this fee.