USPTO eGrants Update: New Opt In Requirement for Physical Ceremonial Patent Copies

Short summary

Effective March 9, 2026, the USPTO requires applicants to affirmatively opt in for physical ceremonial patent copies when paying the issue fee, ending the prior automatic courtesy practice. The electronic patent grant (eGrant) remains the legally operative grant; the physical copy is purely commemorative. Patent counsel and portfolio managers should confirm client preferences before issue fee payment to avoid missing the opt-in window.

• •USPTO now requires opt-in at issue fee payment for ceremonial patent copies
• •eGrant PDF remains the official statutory grant; physical copy is commemorative only
• •Counsel should confirm client preferences before paying issue fees on or after March 9, 2026

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