Hal Wegner and Harry Moatz have provided me with additional information on the $118 annual patent practitioner registration fee for FY2009.

The Office has not issued a notice to pay the annual practitioner maintenance fee for FY2009.  The Office has not required payment of the fee by September 30, 2009.  No decision has been made to collect the fee in or for FY2009. 

Information regarding fees will be 'published and sent to practitioners in advance of the due date.'  Since FY2009 ends in less than 80 days (September 30, 2009), it is unlikely that any fees will be due by that date. However, the office has not publicly ruled-out the possibility of a retroactive charge.

Background:

• http://www.patentlyo.com/patent/2008/11/patent-practice.html