Do you have an excellent idea or invention? Getting a patent may be essential to protect your intellectual property. The question is, how much does it cost to get a patent?
The cost will depend on the complexity of your invention. It will also vary depending on what resources you use and who you work with to get a patent.
Luckily, we have a simple guide explaining how best to gauge how much it will cost to get your assets covered with a quality patent.
How Much Does It Cost to Get a Patent?
Before you can really answer that question, you should view the United States Patent and Trademark Office site, or USPTO. According to the site, the cost to file a basic patent application is $300.
If you are only filing the application as an individual the cost for an application can be as little as $75.
If your business or small entity will be filing the application the cost to apply can be as low as $150.
Here is the breakdown of costs for filing a patent application:
- A Patent Search – $800-$3,000
- Provisional Patent Application Filing – $1,000-$3,500
- Utility Patent Application – $5,000-$9,000
- Utility Patent USPTO Filing + Search + Examination – $1,000
- Illustrations for Utility Patent Application – $400
One of the largest factors that affect the cost of obtaining your patent is whether you plan on doing it yourself, or hiring a patent attorney.
Should I Hire a Patent Attorney or Professional?
It may be hard to feel like a patent is worth it when you first invent something. Until your idea or product starts making money, it can be hard to justify spending money to protect it.
However, this is where small personal loans can come in handy. The investment in a patent will protect you if the sales on your invention are greater than the cost of the patent.
The one con of hiring a patent attorney is the cost. Most experienced attorneys can charge anywhere from $150-$400/hour. The average cost for a patent attorney to prepare and submit a patent application can range from $3,000-$5,000.
Still, the pros can far outweigh these costs as applying for and creating a solid patent on your own can be challenging. The last thing you want is to have a successful invention but a patent that doesn’t fully cover it.
Other Factors Affecting the Cost
The type of patent you need will also affect the cost.
- 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 invest in an experienced attorney.
Getting Help With Your Patent
So how much does it cost to get a patent? The question is a complex one but not one without an answer.
For help understanding more about your specific patent needs, contact our team of professionals today. You can also visit the patentability/novelty search portion of our site to understand if your invention can be patented.
