How Much Does a Patent Cost?

A common question from inventors is "how much does a patent cost." First, it is important to note that there is specific cost for a granted patent as there are no guarantees of receiving a patent. When considering what a patent will potentially cost you, one must look at the costs of preparing, filing and prosecuting the patent application.

The cost of a patent varies based upon three main factors: (1) the type of patent you are attempting to get, (2) the complexity of your invention and (3) the amount of patent prosecution required during the patent pending phase. Below is a table illustrating some example patent costs you may see based upon these three main factors. Please keep in mind that there are no guarantees of receiving a patent and that the ultimate total patent costs may vary greatly based upon various factors. In addition, the patent costs illustrated below do not include patent maintenance fees.

Finally, remember what John Ruskin (1819-1900) said:

"It is unwise to pay too much, but it is worse to pay too little. When you pay too much, you lose a little money - that is all. When you pay too little, you sometimes lose everything because the thing you bought was incapable of doing the thing it was bought to do. The common law of business balance prohibits paying a little and getting a lot - it cannot be done. If you deal with the lowest bidder, it is well to add something for the risk you run, and if you do that you will have enough to pay for something better."

Approximate Patent Costs - Utility Patent

Below are some illustrations of approximate patent costs for a utility patent (the government fees were effective October 5, 2012 and are for small entity).

Invention Type	Application Costs	PTO Filing Fee	Prosecution Cost	PTO Issue Fee	Approximate Patent Cost
Basic Mechanical	$4,000 - $6,000+	$533	$2,500 - $4,000+	$885	$7,000 - $10,000+
Complex Mechanical	$5,000 - $8,500+	$533	$3,000 - $7,000+	$885	$9,000 - $13,000+
Basic Electrical/Software	$5,000 - $8,500	$533	$2,500 - $7,000+	$885	$8,000 - $12,000+
Complex Electrical/Software	$8,500 - $20,000+	$533	$3,500 - $7,500+	$885	$10,000 - $15,000+

Approximate Patent Costs - Design Patent

Below are some illustrations of approximate patent costs for a design patent.

Invention Type	Application Costs	PTO Filing Fee	Prosecution Cost	PTO Issue Fee	Approximate Patent Cost
Basic Mechanical	$1,500 - $2,000	$265	$200 - $1,500+	$505	$2,500 - $3,500+
Complex Mechanical	$2,000 - $2,250+	$265	$200 - $1,500+	$505	$2,750 - $4,000+

We have a free Patent Information Packet if you would like to receive more information about our law firm. To receive a fee quote from Neustel Law Offices, please complete our Invention Disclosure Form and send to us with a letter requesting a fee quote. If you have any questions, give us a call at 1-800-281-7009 or e-mail at info@neustel.com.

Michael Neustel is the founder of the National Inventor Fraud Center, Inc.