What is true about the maintenance fee for Design and Plant patents?

Design and Plant patents do not require maintenance fees. This is a key distinction in patent law, as maintenance fees are only applicable to Utility patents. The rationale behind this is that Utility patents, which encompass a broader range of inventions and technologies, necessitate maintenance fees to encourage the renewal of patents that are still valuable and relevant to the industry. In contrast, Design and Plant patents are considered to have a different justification in terms of their term and enforcement, which is why they are exempt from the maintenance fee requirement.

Understanding this distinction is important for patent holders to manage their intellectual property effectively and maintain compliance with the associated financial obligations.