how much will it cost to get a patent (each type), if you don't use a patent attorney or agent?

by Adonis McClure 9 min read

The prices may vary between $140 to $10,000 or even more. Key factors that determine the cost of a patent include (but are not limited to): Do you want to go it alone? A provisional patent application can cost $140, or if your income qualifies, as little as $70, if you do it yourself.

Full Answer

How much does a patent lawyer cost?

Apr 24, 2020 · Since you want to know how much patent filing cost in the U.S., here’s a table. In this table, you’ll find the fee structure decided by the USPTO. Fee (USD) Small (USD) Micro (USD) Basic filing fee – Utility (paper filing also requires non-electronic filing fee) 300.00. 150.

How much does it cost to get a utility patent?

Jun 24, 2020 · Drawing fees — $75 to $150. Patent maintenance fees — $1,600 at 3.5 years, $3,600 at 7.5 years, and $7,400 at 11.5 years. Average patent lawyer fees vary with location and the attorney's experience level. It is important to understand just how much a lawyer can do for you during this complex process so that you understand why it's worth the ...

How much does it cost to file a patent in California?

Provisional Patent – $1,500-$3,500. Utility Patent – $5,000-$15,000. Design Patent – $2,000-$3,500. Plant Patent – $4,500-$8,000. International Patent – $100,000. Without a quality patent attorney or professional to advise you, it can be challenging to know what type of patent you need. The make sure no errors are made, it’s wise to ...

How can a patent lawyer help you get a patent?

Aug 16, 2019 · At other patent firms, moderately complex provisional patent applications, including all filing fees, will usually end up in the $7,000 - $12,000 range, depending on the complexity of the application and the cost of the legal help. In contrast to other patent firms, we don't work by the hour so that you can stay in control of your budget.

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What is the purpose of a patent?

A patent protects an invention and the cost of the process to get the patent will depend on the type of patent (provisional, non-provisional, or utility) and the complexity of the invention.

How much does a provisional patent cost?

Filing a provisional patent application can cost as low as $65. However, provisional patent applications typically cost between $5,000 and $9,000 plus legal fees.

What is prior art in patents?

Prior art is any idea or product that already exists. After you have an original idea, you are ready to file a patent application.

How much does it cost to file a non-provisional patent?

Filing a non-provisional patent application is more expensive and costs about $900.

What is a design patent?

A design patent is another, more limited, patent option which protects a product's unique appearance only. Design patents are commonly used to protect apparel and fashion pieces, the shape of medical products, and the way manufactured goods look.

How much does it cost to get a plant patent?

This plant can't be grown by tubers, types of underground plant storage structures, or found in an uncultivated state. Filing a plant patent application costs between $360 and $720.

How much does an inventor pay for a patent?

While the USPTO decides if an invention is original by using its own patent search, many inventors pay between $1,000 and $3,000 for professional patent searches before they send their applications.

Patent filing cost

The Patent filing cost increases if your patent application includes several claims. Also, it may cost you a hefty amount if you’re patenting software. Software related patents come under a niche category. Moreover, the software is intangible. As a result, patent attorneys need more time to study the invention.

How Much Patent Filing Cost in the United States

The USPTO receives numerous patent applications from various applicants every year. Thus, to make the patent grant process smooth, the USPTO has issued guidelines concerning patents. Moreover, these guidelines have made the patent filing process simple and transparent. The USPTO has an extensive list of services related to patent filing.

How Much Patent Filing Cost in India

Like the USPTO, the Indian Patent Office takes the decision related to patent in India. IPO gets various patent applications every year. Also, after careful consideration, the IPO grants patent to applicants whose applications fulfill every criterion. You can find fee structure and know how much patent filing cost in India in the table below.

Let Patent Drafting Catalyst Assist You

Patent Drafting Catalyst (PDC) is based out of the U.S. and offers services across the world. It’s a patent firm that assists people in seeking a patent. PDC has been serving clients for more than a decade now. PDC’s client portfolio consists of clients from more than 45 countries.

What is a nonprovisional patent?

You'll also need a different, more detailed type of application called a nonprovisional. The patent process involves a lot of research and paperwork, scientific knowledge, an understanding of patent law, and knowing how to follow the Patent and Trademark Office rules.

How much is the maintenance fee for a patent?

There are three maintenance fees that you will be required to pay to the USPTO throughout the life of your patent. The first maintenance fee will run $400 and is due 3 1/2 years after the patent is allowed. The next fee will be $900 and due at 7 1/2 years.

Do patent attorneys charge hourly?

However, there are some patent attorneys who will charge a set fee in addition to an hourly fee for work that falls outside of the original project scope. It is important to note that these fees do not typically include USPTO fees.

How much does a patent attorney cost?

A patent lawyer can help you with the how to patent an idea process and typically costs around $380 per hour depending on location, type of law firm, and experience in years or technical training. Location: Experienced patent attorneys outside major cities are between $275 to $400 per hour, while attorneys in major cities are between $400 ...

How to become a patent attorney?

To be qualified as a patent attorney, a lawyer will have to have achieved admission to both the state bar and the patent bar. Admission to the patent bar is achieved by satisfying the requirements of the USPTO registration exam. This exam will prove an attorney's knowledge as it pertains to patent law.

How long does a patent consultation last?

At this time, they will often discuss with you their costs and fees. This consultation will usually last about 15 minutes, and, typically, any meeting after that will be billed for. To help keep your costs as low as possible, you should always be prepared when you arrive at your attorney's office and avoid unnecessary conversation.

How much does it cost to file a patent?

On average, filing fees cost between $200 and $300. Lawyer fees are the major costs associated with patents. The amount you'll pay in patent lawyer costs varies, but a good attorney typically starts at anywhere from $300 to $500 per hour.

How Much is a Patent Going to Cost?

Now that you’re sure your invention is eligible for a patent, you need to make sure it’s worth it.

What is a Patent?

A patent is a grant of exclusive property rights given to the owner of an invention. They are only granted for useful, intellectual, and new inventions that a person has created.

Can You Patent Your Invention?

Not all inventions are eligible for a patent. There are several questions you’ll need to ask yourself before applying for a patent and figuring out how much a patent is going to cost.

How to File for a Patent

We discussed above how much a patent is going to cost you in money. But you also need to consider this: how much is a patent going to cost you in time and resources?

Utility Patent

The utility patent is the most common type of patent. It’s used to grant license ownership for things like new machines, chemicals, and processes. This patent provides protection for the way a product or process works.

Design Patent

A design patent is a patent that protects the actual appearance or design of a manufactured product. This patent doesn’t protect the structure or features of a product, but rather how it specifically looks.

How to Determine if Something Can Be Patented

To qualify for a patent, your invention has to be different enough from other similar inventions. It must also be “non-obvious”, which means that someone within that field of invention must consider it an unexpected invention.

How the Patent Process Works

To get a patent, the invention must apply for one within one year of publicly announcing their invention. Before you apply for the patent, the inventor should do a preliminary patent search to determine if their invention has already been patented, or if trying to patent it is feasible.

How Much Does a Patent Cost?

The cost of a patent can vary greatly depending on several factors, such as the type of technology involved in the invention, attorney fees, and where the invention is being patented.

Factors that Affect How Much a Patent Costs

The type of patent and complexity of the invention aren’t the only costs involved in the patent process. If you’re an individual filing a patent application, you’ll pay less than a large business would. And if your invention involves a lot of technology, the price will be inherently higher.

Should You Get a Patent?

Not sure if your invention needs a patent, or if it’s worth the application process? Here are some questions you should ask yourself before applying.

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Table of Contents

Average Cost to Patent An Idea

  • The average cost to patent an idea ranges from $5,000 to $16,000+ depending on how simple or complex your invention is. An extremely simple design such as a paper clip typically costs $5,000 to $7,000 to patent, whereas a highly complex invention such as software or satellite technologies runs $14,000 to $16,000+.
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Cost to File A Patent Application

  • According to the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), the basic cost to file a patent application is $300. However, if you are a small entity, the price is $150, and the micro entity fee (for an individual) is just $75. The main distinction between these costs is whether or not you take the "do-it-yourself" approach or seek help from a patent attorney. Of course, each sc…
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Patent Costs by Type

  • The type of patent you apply for will also impact the cost. For example, a provisional patent can cost up to $3,000, whereas a utility patent can cost up to $15,000or more. Each type of patent is best suited for varying scenarios. 1. A utility patent is ideal when you want to protect a tangible item or product. This is the most expensive type of patent, costing between $5,000 and $15,000…
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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is a poor man's patent?
    While this is an interesting theory, it is no longer valid. If you hear about a poor man's patent, this refers to the process of drafting a document that outlines your invention. The idea is that upon sealing and mailing the document to yourself, you could show a date based on the postmark. Th…
  • What is the cheapest way to get a patent?
    Of course, the cheapest way to obtain a patent is to complete this process yourself. To do so, you should take critical steps. 1. Keep clear, detailed records. It's recommended that you record every step involved in the process of your invention, filling notebooks that are dedicated to your idea. 2…
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How Much Does It Cost?

  • A patent can cost from $900 for a do-it-yourself application to between $5,000 and $10,000+ with the help of patent lawyers. A patent protects an invention and the cost of the process to get the patent will depend on the type of patent (provisional, non-provisional, or utility) and the complexity of the invention.
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The Cost of Each Patent Application Type

  • Before you can think about patent costs, you must come up with a unique product idea that doesn't copy prior art. Prior art is any idea or product that already exists. After you have an original idea, you are ready to file a patent application. The cost of filing a patent application can usually be divided into three parts: United States Patent and TrademarkOffice (USPTO) filing fees, lawye…
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Factors That Can Affect A Patent's Cost

  • While the type of patent is the largest part that affects costs, other factors can also play a part: 1. The size of the business or the type of person applying for a patent. Individuals pay less than small businesses. Large firms pay the most for their patents. 2. The invention's technology. If the invention has much technology behind it, it will be more expensive than one that doesn't rely so …
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More Costs Connected with Filing Patents

  • Most inventors pay other costs to file their patent applications. While the USPTO decides if an invention is original by using its own patent search, many inventors pay between $1,000 and $3,000 for professional patent searches before they send their applications. A patent search lets inventors know if their ideas are unique enough and worth spending time and money to develop…
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Example of Costs For A Patent

  • With so many costs, you might not understand how much a patent might cost for a company. Imagine an inventor with a small startup firm wants to patent a unique alarm clock. This inventor might expect the following costs: 1. Patent search with a lawyer's opinion: $2,000 2. Creating and filing a provisional patent application: $2,500 3. Filing the utility patent with the USPTO: $130 (co…
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Frequently Asked Questions

  • Why should I use a patent lawyer? Small mistakes can hurt your chances for patent approval. Patent lawyers receive training in all aspects of patent law. They also usually have technical degrees in...
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