When do annual fees for maintaining a patent application or patent start to accrue?
Annual fees start after publication, not filing. Section 55.1, Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines, provides that to maintain the application or patent, an annual fee shall be paid upon the expiration of four years from the date the application was published under Section 44, and on each subsequent anniversary. Payment may be made within three months before each due date, and the obligation ends if the application is withdrawn, refused, or cancelled. This structure links maintenance obligations to public disclosure rather than the original filing date. 21-Dec-25About Nicolas and De Vega Law Offices
Nicolas and De Vega Law Offices is a full-service law firm in the Philippines. You may visit us at the 16th Flr., Suite 1607 AIC Burgundy Empire Tower, ADB Ave., Ortigas Center, 1605 Pasig City, Metro Manila, Philippines. You may also call us at +632 84706126, +632 84706130, +632 84016392 or e-mail us at [email protected]. Visit our website https://ndvlaw.com/.
