Lapsed Aug 25, 2021 on the fee record · Medium confidence
20-year base term ends Jun 18, 2028
Why Medium: A terminal disclaimer is on file (approved) with no resolved reference, so the term may end earlier.
Third maintenance fee unpaid; grace period ended.
Jun 18, 2008
Aug 25, 2021
Aug 25, 2009
Jun 18, 2028
Its term would have run to Jun 18, 2028: its 20-year base term, with no adjustment for prosecution delay. A terminal disclaimer is on file with no resolved reference, so no cap is applied and none is guessed. Confidence: Medium. from the record
How we calculated this date
| Step | Input | Date after this step | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base term, 20 years from filing | Clock starts Jun 18, 2008, when this application, 12/141,724, was filed | Jun 18, 2028 | High confidence |
| Continuity chain | Every parent in the chain resolved | no change | High confidence |
| Patent term adjustment | None on file | no change | High confidence |
| Terminal disclaimer cap | Disclaimer on file (approved), reference document not resolved | no cap applied, and none guessed | Medium confidence |
| Patent term extension | None on file | no change | High confidence |
| Fee events | 2 of 3 maintenance fees paid | lapsed Aug 25, 2021 | High confidence |
| Computed term end | The steps above, in order | Aug 25, 2021 | Medium confidence |
This family
| US 7,580,538 | this patent Aug 2021 | Aug 2021 |
| US 7,480,388 | In force no later than Jun 2028 | no later than Jun 2028 |
Assignments
| Recorded | Assignor | Assignee | Conveyance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 22, 2008 Reel 21430, frame 958 | Crook, Ben | Bernafon AG | Assignment of Assignor's Interest |
| Sep 11, 2019 Reel 50344, frame 160 | Bernafon AG | Oticon A/S | Assignment of Assignor's Interest |
Sources
Google Patents · The patent document at USPTO · Assignment records at USPTO
USPTO account required: This application in Patent Center · USPTO's maintenance fee lookup
Maintenance fee events come from USPTO's own fee records. Its fee lookup asks for the patent number and the application number.
What's changing
A terminal disclaimer is on file (approved) and its reference document is not resolved. A disclaimer would cap the term earlier than Aug 25, 2021. We will not guess the cap.