What’s The Average Patent File Cost From Start To Finish In The US

There’s several steps that go into the average patent file cost from start to finish. This is a mission-critical question when kickstarting the patent filing process. Unfortunately, costs are a major concern for inventors – especially those working on a bootstrap budget. As a novel inventor yourself, you should clearly understand the typical costs associated with intellectual property (IP) drafting, filing, and prosecution. This way, you can confidently dive into the IP acquisition process and maximize your patenting probability. Read on to learn about the average patent file cost from start to finish in the US.

Patent Attorney Fees

First and foremost, consider how attorney fees impact overall patent file costs. On average, patent lawyers charge between $7,000 and $10,000 to file an IP application from start to finish. Of course, the cost can be significantly higher – depending on your invention\’s complexity, the protection needed, and USPTO responses required. To keep costs low, consider hiring a flat-fee online patent attorney to acquire your intellectual property. These qualified, USPTO-registered experts are able to draft, file, and prosecute your application at predictable, affordable rates. With the help of the right IP agent or attorney, you’ll receive fair, modest, and economical patent file costs.

Prior Art Reference Search Expenses

Next, involve prior art reference searching expenses into your total patent file cost. A thorough patent search carefully examines pending, issued, and published intellectual property applications – with the goal of uncovering any comparable inventions. During this process, your expert patent search firm will carefully review similar innovations that exist in the public domain. This will ultimately reveal whether or not your idea is truly novel. In exchange for these services, you should expect to add around $300 to your final patent bill. Of course, this cost is certainly worth it in helping you reduce redundant research and eliminate the risk of IP infringement. Plus, these services can accelerate the time to commercialization. Surely, factor in the cost of prior art reference searching into your patent file fees.

Provisional Patenting Costs

Before you get your actual application, you first should secure a provisional patent. A provisional patent application (PPA) allows you to file for IP without a formal declaration, oath, claim, or information disclosure. For a one-year period, your invention will be protected with a “Patent Pending” status. Of course, this helps you take your idea public – without all of the risks. Plus, a PPA lets you publish your collected research with minimal competitor risks. Ultimately, these applications let you lay the foundation for the IP acquisition process with an official, priority USPTO filing date. To receive this application, you should expect to pay around $200. This is in addition to a $75 government filing fee – imposed by the USPTO.

Design Patent Protection Charges

If you want to protect your invention’s non-function, visual, and ornamental characteristics, you also need to pay design patent file costs. These forms of IP are routinely used on containers, icons, unique shapes, or treads. They cannot be applied to utilitarian or structural functionality. For a design patent, expect to pay an additional $845 – as well as a $255 USPTO filing fee. This should include drafting, filing, as well as potential USPTO office responses. Indeed, think about the added design patent file costs you may encounter during the IP acquisition process.

Utility Patent Fees

Most importantly, consider the overall cost to draft and file your full, non-provisional patent application. A utility patent legally protects your new machine, process, manufacture, or composition of matter from infringement risks. With these applications, protection can extend up to twenty years. Due to their immense benefits, costs are highest for this type of application. You should expect to pay around $3,500 – along with a $500 USPTO filing fee. In exchange, you’ll receive two decades of valuable patent protection rights. Definitely, add the utility patent file costs to your total bill.

There are a few key steps to accurately determine average patent costs from start to finish. First and foremost, you need to consider the fees to hire and retain a professional patent lawyer in San Francisco. In addition, factor in the costs of prior art reference searching. There are also specific fees attached to securing a provisional patent application (PPA). If you want to protect your invention’s visual or non-functional characteristics, you also need to get a design patent. Then, you need to front the costs for full non-provisional, utility patent protection. Follow the points above to learn about the average patent file cost from start to finish in the US.