What is the time window to pay the issue fee after receiving a notice of allowance?

The appropriate time window to pay the issue fee after receiving a notice of allowance is three months. This timeframe is established by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) rules, which allow applicants a period of three months to submit the issue fee once they have received the notice of allowance.

This three-month deadline is critical because if the issue fee is not paid within this period, the application may be considered abandoned. It is essential for applicants to monitor this timeline closely to ensure their patent is granted without unnecessary delays. The USPTO provides this leniency to allow applicants some additional time to arrange for the payment, thus facilitating the patent prosecution process while still encouraging timely action.