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Introduction
The Small Entity Declaration (SED) Tool provides you with information on how
to submit a small entity declaration, according to the specific requirements
set out in Subsection 3.01 (1) of the Patent Rules. Although the
declaration may be submitted as part of the petition, the Patent Office
encourages you to submit it as a separate document since the small entity
declaration, unlike the petition, requires a signature. A statement
indicating that the applicant/patentee "believes that they are
entitled to pay fees at the small entity level" must also be
included in the declaration. A sample declaration is included below.
The Patent Office holds the authority to refuse to recognize any previously
submitted small entity declarations, i.e., those submitted prior to
June 2, 2007 that do not comply with subsection 3.01(1). The Office
recommends in this case that clients submit a new small entity declaration
following the requirements of subsection 3.01(1). It is imperative that
the small entity declaration be signed.
Please note: if the small entity declaration is filed
as part of the petition [the small entity declaration forms part of
the online downloadable petition (paragraph 7)] the petition will
need to be signed.
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Checklist of Requirements
3.01 (1) Subject to section 3.02, a small entity declaration:
- shall be filed with the Commissioner by the authorized correspondent, in the case of an application, or by the patentee, in the case of a patent;
- may be filed as part of the petition or as a separate document;
- shall, if not filed as part of the petition, identify the application or patent to which it relates;
- shall contain a statement to the effect that the applicant or patentee believes that in accordance with subsection (2) they
are entitled to pay fees at the small entity level in respect of that application or patent;
- shall be signed by the applicant or patentee or by a patent agent appointed by the applicant or patentee; and
- shall indicate the name of the applicant or patentee and, if applicable, the name of the patent agent signing the declaration.
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Sample declaration
The following is an example of a small entity declaration that the applicant
can draft for submission. Declarations can be submitted to CIPO electronically,
by mail or fax, or in person at the Client Service Centre.
Please note: if the small entity declaration is filed as part
of the petition[the small entity declaration
forms part of the online downloadable petition (paragraph 7)] the petition still
needs to be signed.
If filed separately from the petition:
Attention: Commissioner of Patents
The applicant believes that in accordance with subsection 3.01(2)
of the Patent Rules, the applicant is entitled to pay the fees
at the small entity level in respect of this application.
[Identify the application/patent]
Signed: Mr.or Ms. Patentee or Patent agent
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Small Entity Declaration Practice Notice
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Small Entity declarations provided by third parties requesting re-examination
A signed small entity declaration is also required of third parties requesting
re-examination and paying the applicable small entity fee. Furthermore, the
following definition of small entity should be used when third parties are
requesting re-examination and are submitting a small entity declaration:
"small entity" means an entity that employs 50 or fewer employees
or that is a university, but does not include an entity that is controlled
directly or indirectly by an entity, other than a university, that employs
more than 50 employees.
Checklist of Requirements :
3.02 (1) A small entity declaration by a person, other than the patentee, requesting re-examination:
- shall contain a statement to the effect that the person believes that, at the time of the request for re-examination, they are a small entity;
- shall be signed by the person or by a patent agent appointed by that person; and
- shall indicate the name of the person and, if applicable, the name of the patent agent signing the declaration.
