How Much Does a Patent Cost

Filing for a patent is the best way for individuals to protect their new and inventive ideas, designs, and products. Obtaining a patent gives the inventor exclusive rights to make, use, and sell their invention, and excludes others from making, using, or selling the invention without the authorized consent of the inventor. However, before an individual files an application for a patent they may want to know how much does a patent cost. The approximate cost of a acquiring a patent will be affected by whether the individual files for the patent on their own or whether they retain the services of an intellectual property law attorney. The answer to the question how much does a patent cost will depend on several factors.

An application for a patent can be filed without the assistance of an attorney, and without a lawyer the cost of filing a patent may be less than $1,500. The only fees that the inventor would have to pay to file a patent on their own are those fees levied by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Fees for filing an application with the USPTO range from $110 to over $500. Inventors will also pay a fee to have the patent issued when it is accepted. This fee is typically more than $700.

If individuals choose to hire an intellectual property law attorney to assist them with the patent application process, the costs associated with filing the patent increases significantly. The cost of acquiring a patent with the assistance of an attorney can cost between $10,000 and $25,000. Attorney fees associated with filing for a patent may range from $5,000 to more than $15,000 depending on the complexity of the invention. The most complex the invention, the higher the fees. Additional fees that inventors will have to pay include: filing fees, patent search fees, examination fees, and a fee to have the patent issued. These additional fees can cost as much or more than $1,300.

Last Modified: 03 December 2009