Collateral for a security interest recorded Apr 7, 2014 (Cengage Learning, Inc. (Formerly Known as Thomson Learning Inc.)).
Term ends Nov 20, 2026 · High confidence
20-year base term ended Aug 31, 2026
Held by Cengage Learning, Inc.
Filed Aug 31, 2006 as application 11/469,434 · Granted Sep 20, 2011
Base term plus 81 days of patent term adjustment (USPTO delay)
Today
2006
2026
Clock starts
Aug 31, 2006
Aug 31, 2006
Term ends
Nov 20, 2026
Nov 20, 2026
Granted
Sep 20, 2011
Sep 20, 2011
base term
patent term adjustment
fee events
Updated Nov 14, 2026 · includes USPTO assignment & status data published Nov 14, 2026 and grant & fee data published Nov 10, 2026 (weekly) · how we know
81
Days of term adjustment
Read from the USPTO patent term adjustment record, not recalculated here.
None
Terminal disclaimer
No disclaimer on this record.
3 of 3
Maintenance fees paid
Three maintenance fees fall due, at 3.5, 7.5 and 11.5 years from grant. This counts the ones the record shows paid.
This patent's term runs 81 days past its 20-year base term on prosecution delay. All three maintenance fees are recorded paid; no more fees are due. Confidence: High. from the record
How we calculated this date
One row per rule, each showing its own input and what it did to the date. A step we could not verify says so instead of resolving itself.
| Step | Input | Date after this step | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base term, 20 years from filing | Clock starts Aug 31, 2006, when this application, 11/469,434, was filed | Aug 31, 2026 | High confidence |
| Continuity chain | Every parent in the chain resolved | no change | High confidence |
| Patent term adjustment | +81 days, USPTO patent term adjustment record | Nov 20, 2026 | High confidence |
| Terminal disclaimer cap | None on record | no cap applied | High confidence |
| Patent term extension | None on file | no change | High confidence |
| Fee events | 3 of 3 maintenance fees paid | In force | High confidence |
| Computed term end | The steps above, in order | Nov 20, 2026 | High confidence |
Assignments
The 40 most recent of 42 recorded documents are shown; the 2 earliest are not. Assignment documents as recorded at the USPTO, oldest first, with the reel and frame each was recorded at. A recorded assignment is a filed document, not a statement of current ownership, and the absence of a later one is not evidence that the last one still stands.
| Recorded | Assignor | Assignee | Conveyance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 27, 2007 Reel 19892, frame 304 | Thomson Learning Inc.; Thomson Global Resources | The Royal Bank of Scotland PLC, as Collateral Agent | Intellectual Property Security Agreement |
| Nov 28, 2007 Reel 20171, frame 242 | Thomson Global Resources | Gale Holdings I, Inc. | Assignment of Assignor's Interest |
| Nov 28, 2007 Reel 20171, frame 324 | Gale Holdings I, Inc. | The Gale Group, Inc. | Assignment of Assignor's Interest |
| Nov 28, 2007 Reel 20172, frame 500 | Gale Holdings I, Inc. | The Gale Gruop, Inc. | Assignment of Assignor's Interest |
| May 23, 2012 Reel 28255, frame 924 | Cengage Learning Acquisitions, Inc.; Cengage Learning Holdings II, L.P.; Cengage Learning Holdco, Inc.; Cengage Learning, Inc.; Gale Holdings I, Inc.; The Gale Group, Inc. | The Bank of New York Mellon, as Collateral Agent | Security Agreement |
| Aug 6, 2012 Reel 28735, frame 113 | Cengage Learning Acquisitions, Inc.; Cengage Learning Holdings II, L.P.; Cengage Learning Holdco, Inc.; Cengage Learning, Inc.; Gale Holdings I, Inc.; The Gale Group, Inc. | The Bank of New York Mellon, as Collateral Agent | Security Agreement |
| May 22, 2013 Reel 30489, frame 146 | Cengage Learning Acquisitions, Inc.; Cengage Learning Holdings II, L.P.; Cengage Learning Holdco, Inc.; Cengage Learning, Inc. | JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Collateral Agent | Security Agreement |
| Mar 18, 2014 Reel 32460, frame 345 | The Gale Group, Inc. | Cengage Learning, Inc. | Merger |
| Apr 1, 2014 Reel 32588, frame 664 | Cengage Learning, Inc. | Credit Suisse AG, Cayman Islands Branch, as Administrative Agent | Term Loan Security Agreement |
| Apr 1, 2014 Reel 32588, frame 708 | Cengage Learning, Inc. | Citibank, N.A., as Administrative Agent | Abl Security Agreement |
| Apr 7, 2014 Reel 32622, frame 312 | The Royal Bank of Scotland PLC | Cengage Learning, Inc. (Formerly Known as Thomson Learning Inc.); The Gale Group, Inc. (Successor-in-Interest to Thomson Global Resources) | Bankruptcy Court Order Releasing All Liens, Including the Security Interest Recorded at Reel/Frame 019892/0304 |
| Apr 7, 2014 Reel 32622, frame 538 | The Bank of New York Mellon | Cengage Learning Acquisitions, Inc.; Cengage Learning Holdings II L.P.; Cengage Learning Holdco, Inc.; Cengage Learning Inc.; Gale Holdings I, Inc.; The Gale Group, Inc. | Bankruptcy Court Order Releasing All Liens, Including the Security Interest Recorded at Reel/Frame 028255/0924 |
| Apr 7, 2014 Reel 32622, frame 677 | The Bank of New York Mellon | Cengage Learning Acquisitions, Inc.; Cengage Learning Holdings II L.P.; Cengage Learning Holdco, Inc.; Cengage Learning Inc.; Gale Holdings I, Inc.; The Gale Group, Inc. | Bankruptcy Court Order Releasing All Liens, Including the Security Interest Recorded at Reel/Frame 028735/0113 |
| Apr 7, 2014 Reel 32622, frame 799 | Jpmorgan Chase Bank, N.a. | Cengage Learning Acquisitions, Inc.; Cengage Learning Holdings II L.P.; Cengage Learning Holdco, Inc.; Cengage Learning Inc. | Bankruptcy Court Order Releasing All Liens, Including the Security Interest Recorded at Reel/Frame 030489/0146 |
| Apr 7, 2014 reel/frame not recorded | The Royal Bank of Scotland PLC | Cengage Learning, Inc. (Formerly Known as Thomson Learning Inc.) | Bankruptcy Court Order Releasing All Liens, Including the Security Interest Recorded at Reel/Frame 019892/0304 |
| Apr 7, 2014 reel/frame not recorded | The Royal Bank of Scotland PLC | The Gale Group, Inc. (Successor-in-Interest to Thomson Global Resources) | Bankruptcy Court Order Releasing All Liens, Including the Security Interest Recorded at Reel/Frame 019892/0304 |
| Apr 7, 2014 reel/frame not recorded | The Bank of New York Mellon | Cengage Learning Acquisitions, Inc. | Bankruptcy Court Order Releasing All Liens, Including the Security Interest Recorded at Reel/Frame 028255/0924 |
| Apr 7, 2014 reel/frame not recorded | The Bank of New York Mellon | Cengage Learning Holdings II L.P. | Bankruptcy Court Order Releasing All Liens, Including the Security Interest Recorded at Reel/Frame 028255/0924 |
| Apr 7, 2014 reel/frame not recorded | The Bank of New York Mellon | Cengage Learning Holdco, Inc. | Bankruptcy Court Order Releasing All Liens, Including the Security Interest Recorded at Reel/Frame 028255/0924 |
| Apr 7, 2014 reel/frame not recorded | The Bank of New York Mellon | Cengage Learning Inc. | Bankruptcy Court Order Releasing All Liens, Including the Security Interest Recorded at Reel/Frame 028255/0924 |
| Apr 7, 2014 reel/frame not recorded | The Bank of New York Mellon | Gale Holdings I, Inc. | Bankruptcy Court Order Releasing All Liens, Including the Security Interest Recorded at Reel/Frame 028255/0924 |
| Apr 7, 2014 reel/frame not recorded | The Bank of New York Mellon | The Gale Group, Inc. | Bankruptcy Court Order Releasing All Liens, Including the Security Interest Recorded at Reel/Frame 028255/0924 |
| Apr 7, 2014 reel/frame not recorded | The Bank of New York Mellon | Cengage Learning Acquisitions, Inc. | Bankruptcy Court Order Releasing All Liens, Including the Security Interest Recorded at Reel/Frame 028735/0113 |
| Apr 7, 2014 reel/frame not recorded | The Bank of New York Mellon | Cengage Learning Holdings II L.P. | Bankruptcy Court Order Releasing All Liens, Including the Security Interest Recorded at Reel/Frame 028735/0113 |
| Apr 7, 2014 reel/frame not recorded | The Bank of New York Mellon | Cengage Learning Holdco, Inc. | Bankruptcy Court Order Releasing All Liens, Including the Security Interest Recorded at Reel/Frame 028735/0113 |
| Apr 7, 2014 reel/frame not recorded | The Bank of New York Mellon | Cengage Learning Inc. | Bankruptcy Court Order Releasing All Liens, Including the Security Interest Recorded at Reel/Frame 028735/0113 |
| Apr 7, 2014 reel/frame not recorded | The Bank of New York Mellon | Gale Holdings I, Inc. | Bankruptcy Court Order Releasing All Liens, Including the Security Interest Recorded at Reel/Frame 028735/0113 |
| Apr 7, 2014 reel/frame not recorded | The Bank of New York Mellon | The Gale Group, Inc. | Bankruptcy Court Order Releasing All Liens, Including the Security Interest Recorded at Reel/Frame 028735/0113 |
| Apr 7, 2014 reel/frame not recorded | Jpmorgan Chase Bank, N.a. | Cengage Learning Acquisitions, Inc. | Bankruptcy Court Order Releasing All Liens, Including the Security Interest Recorded at Reel/Frame 030489/0146 |
| Apr 7, 2014 reel/frame not recorded | Jpmorgan Chase Bank, N.a. | Cengage Learning Holdings II L.P. | Bankruptcy Court Order Releasing All Liens, Including the Security Interest Recorded at Reel/Frame 030489/0146 |
| Apr 7, 2014 reel/frame not recorded | Jpmorgan Chase Bank, N.a. | Cengage Learning Holdco, Inc. | Bankruptcy Court Order Releasing All Liens, Including the Security Interest Recorded at Reel/Frame 030489/0146 |
| Apr 7, 2014 reel/frame not recorded | Jpmorgan Chase Bank, N.a. | Cengage Learning Inc. | Bankruptcy Court Order Releasing All Liens, Including the Security Interest Recorded at Reel/Frame 030489/0146 |
| Feb 26, 2016 Reel 37991, frame 916 | Cengage Learning, Inc., as Grantor | Credit Suisse AG, Cayman Islands Branch, as Administrative Agent | Security Agreement |
| Mar 22, 2024 Reel 66869, frame 623 | Cengage Learning, Inc. | Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., as Collateral Agent | Security Interest |
| Mar 22, 2024 Reel 66874, frame 846 | Credit Suisse AG, Cayman Islands Branch | Cengage Learning, Inc.; Cengage Learning Holdco, Inc. | Release of Security Interests (TERM) |
| Mar 22, 2024 Reel 66875, frame 28 | Citibank, N.a. | Cengage Learning, Inc.; Cengage Learning Holdco, Inc. | Release of Patent Security Interests (ABL) |
| Mar 22, 2024 reel/frame not recorded | Credit Suisse AG, Cayman Islands Branch | Cengage Learning, Inc. | Release of Security Interests (TERM) |
| Mar 22, 2024 reel/frame not recorded | Credit Suisse AG, Cayman Islands Branch | Cengage Learning Holdco, Inc. | Release of Security Interests (TERM) |
| Mar 22, 2024 reel/frame not recorded | Citibank, N.a. | Cengage Learning, Inc. | Release of Patent Security Interests (ABL) |
| Mar 22, 2024 reel/frame not recorded | Citibank, N.a. | Cengage Learning Holdco, Inc. | Release of Patent Security Interests (ABL) |
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
Nov 2026
Term ends Nov 20, 2026. No further fees fall due before then
Note
The 81 days of patent term adjustment (USPTO delay) are read from the USPTO record, not recalculated by us
Citations
2
later US patents cite this one
That is below the median of utility patents granted in 2011 in our data, the only group it is compared against.
How we rank
Every date shows its work: the base term, any term adjustment or extension, any disclaimer cap, and the maintenance fee record, each with a confidence tier. How this record was built
Computed patent terms end on the dates shown. Related patents and pending applications may cover overlapping subject matter.
In force means the term is running and no lapse is on record. It is not a finding that the patent is valid.