Patent Cost

There are a number of factors that go in to patent cost.  Some are very predictable, such as United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) fees or the cost of preparing an application.  Others are more difficult to predict, such as the number of office action responses, appeals, and other documents that will be filed during examination.  Small entities, which includes non-profits, universities, and businesses with fewer than 500 employees, pay discounted fees.

Every application must pay a filing fee.  After examination begins, the USPTO almost always rejects the application as anticipated by another invention or as obvious because the combination of several inventions includes the elements of your invention.  There is no fee for responding to this rejection, but preparing the response usually costs about $1,500 to 2,000.

If the USPTO issues a second rejection, you typically must pay a continued examination fee as well as paying for the preparation of a response.  Alternatively, you can appeal, paying the appeal fee and for the preparation of an appeal brief.

After the application is allowed, there is an issue fee, and then maintenance fees after 3.5, 7.5, and 11.5 years.

International Fees

Cost Implications of Increased Patent Grants