微实体

(micro entity)

由于微实体资格要求非常严格，企业申请人一般不建议使用微实体资格。

微型实体必须符合小型实体的标准，但也有资格获得微型实体的地位，要么以总收入为基础，要么以高等教育为基础，即申请人必须从美国的高等教育机构获得大部分收入。根据总收入申请微型实体地位的另一个要求是，申请人和发明人都没有在以前提交的四个以上的申请中被列为发明人。

A micro entity must meet the criteria of a small entity, but also qualify for micro entity status, either on a gross income basis or on a basis of higher education, where the applicant must be obtaining the majority of their income from a United States institution of higher education. An additional requirement when filing for micro entity status based on gross income is that neither the applicant nor the inventor has been named as an inventor on more than four previously filed applications.

官费减免75%

必须注意的是，美国官方会根据实际情况对微实体的总收入要求进行调整，目前对微实体的总收入要求为$206,109

小实体

(small entity)

小实体通常被定义为包括附属机构在内的雇员少于500人的企业，合格的非营利组织，或没有向非小实体转让、许可或以其他方式转让或承诺转让发明权益的个人。要成为小实体申请人，要求持有发明权利的所有各方都符合小实体地位的条件。

A small entity is generally defined as a business which, including affiliates, has fewer than 500 employees, a qualifying nonprofit organization, or an individual who has not assigned, licensed or otherwise conveyed or promised to convey an interest in the invention to a non-small entity. To be a small entity applicant, it is required that all parties holding rights in the invention qualify for small entity status.

官费减免50%