S. 3960 · 118th Congress
A bill to amend title 35, United States Code, to provide a good faith exception to the imposition of fines for false assertions and certifications, and for other purposes.
- Stage
- Signed by the president
- Sponsor
- Christopher Coons
- Introduced
- 2024-03-14
- Latest action
- 2024-12-17 · Signed by President.
Summary
This bill creates a good faith exception to certain fines imposed by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
Currently, the USPTO may reduce patent-related fees for small and micro entities, and an entity that falsely claims a fee reduction shall be subject to a fine. This bill exempts an entity from such a fine if the entity made a good faith assertion or certification that the entity was entitled to a fee reduction.