Revision of Patent and Trademark Fees for Fiscal Year 2003

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (referred to as "we", "us", or "our" in this notice) is adjusting certain patent fee amounts and a trademark fee amount to reflect fluctuations in the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Also, we are adjusting, by a corresponding amount, a few patent fees that track the affected fees. The Director is authorized to adjust these fees annually by the CPI to recover the higher costs associated with doing business. In addition, we are amending several patent and trademark document supply fees to streamline operations and to benefit our customers. Legislation has also been introduced in the Congress that would alter our fees. If enacted, this legislation would supersede many of the fees identified in this final rule.