# Changes To Implement the Patent Search Fee Refund Provisions of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2005
> **US Patent and Trademark Office** · Final rule. · Published 2006-03-10 · Effective 2006-03-10 · 71 FR 12281
## Document
- **Document number:** 06-2333
- **Category:** uspto-patent
- **Sub-agency:** US Patent and Trademark Office
- **Federal Register citation:** 71 FR 12281
- **CFR reference:** 37 CFR 1
- **Publication date:** 2006-03-10
- **Effective date:** 2006-03-10
- **Commerce docket:** Docket No. 2004-P-038
## Abstract

Among other changes to patent and trademark fees, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2005 (Consolidated Appropriations Act), splits the patent application filing fee into a separate filing fee, search fee and examination fee. The Consolidated Appropriations Act also provides that the United States Patent and Trademark Office (Office) may refund part or all of the excess claims fee and the search fee in certain situations. This final rule revises the rules of practice to implement the provisions for refunding the search fee for applicants who file a written declaration of express abandonment before an examination has been made of the application.

## Source
- [Federal Register document](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2006/03/10/06-2333/changes-to-implement-the-patent-search-fee-refund-provisions-of-the-consolidated-appropriations-act)
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