How many claims can be filed for free with your filing fee?

When filing a patent application, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) allows for a certain number of claims to be included without incurring additional fees. As of the latest guidelines, an applicant can file up to three independent claims without having to pay extra fees for exceeding that limit. This structure is designed to balance promoting innovation by allowing applicants the freedom to cover multiple inventive aspects while managing the USPTO's resources efficiently.

If an application includes more than three independent claims, a fee must be paid for each additional independent claim. Hence, the correct choice reflects the current policy regarding the inclusion of claims in a standard patent application. Understanding this limit helps applicants plan their filings accordingly, ensuring that they remain within budget while adequately protecting their inventions.