Whether you do it yourself or have a patent agent or attorney do it for you, applying for a patent costs money. If you do it yourself in order to save on agent or attorney fees, you’ll pay for the money you save in terms of your time. You will also have to do your own patent search to be certain that your invention is unique, and you’ll still have to pay any fees required by the United States Patent and Trademark Office, or USPTO. If your application is rejected or if questions are raised, you’ll be doing your own negotiating as well. This is why applying for a patent on an invention of any complexity all by yourself may not be the best idea unless you have a great deal of experience.
Complexity is Key to Cost
The main factor that drives the cost of a patent application is the complexity of the invention being patented. Even if you’re trying to patent something as simple as a toothbrush, it will cost you at least around $1000 to file and do the search and paperwork, even if you do it all yourself. If you hire an attorney, this cost goes up to about $5,000 to $7,000. For a utility patent for a complex invention like the MRI machine, the cost goes up to around $16,000, and for an international utility patent, it can be as high as $100,000. When you hire an attorney, the search fees and negotiating are usually included in the total fee. You also have the option of hiring a patent agent, which costs less than an attorney. However, this agent cannot represent you in court should the need arise.
Call to Schedule an Appointment With a California Patent Attorney Today
If you are interested in learning more about the cost of a patent for your new invention, call to schedule a consultation with a California patent lawyer today. The experienced legal staff at the Law Offices of Dorian Cartwright will discuss your invention idea with you and help you understand the costs involved in getting a patent. We serve the cities of San Jose, Palo Alto, Mountain View, Santa Clara, San Francisco, and surrounding communities. Check out our web page cartwrightesq.com or give us a call at 1-800-810-8030 and let us give you the legal guidance you can trust.
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