Summary from the Federal Register
On April 3, 2024, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), when setting and adjusting patent fees for fiscal year 2025, proposed a new fee to recuperate costs affiliated with the submission of a request for consideration under the After Final Consideration Pilot Program 2.0 (AFCP 2.0). Commenters on the proposal expressed concerns about the AFCP 2.0 and the proposed fee. In view of these comments, the USPTO has decided to allow AFCP 2.0 to expire. While the program currently runs through September 30, 2024, to accommodate those who may be in the process of preparing to use the program, the USPTO will provide a short extension of the expiration of the program. The USPTO is setting December 14, 2024, as the last day to submit a request for participation under the program.
Dates
The USPTO will not accept requests for consideration under the AFCP 2.0 filed after December 14, 2024.