The cost of a patent application varies depending on the complexity of the inventions and the volume of work. Most patent law firms discount their fees for clients filing several patent applications per month. When engaging a new patent law firm, you should agree on a progressive fee arrangement for at least the first patent application where the client pays the law firm for work performed over the various stages of a patent application. This way the client has the opportunity to evaluate the timeliness and competency of the work product at each stage, and change law firms when prudent. Here is an example progressive fee arrangement for a relatively complex invention:
$2,000 - Initial review of the invention disclosure and prior art search. This stage is critically important to ensure the patent attorney understands the invention and is able to find the relevant prior art to aid in claim drafting.
$1,000 - First figure and corresponding first independent claim covering a significant embodiment of the invention in view of the prior art. The drawings and claims should be drafted first in every patent application. If your patent attorney disagrees... run as fast as you can to find a different patent attorney.
$3,000 - Five to eight additional figures and corresponding claims (e.g., 3 independent claims and 17 dependent claims).
$3,000 - Draft the background, brief description of the drawings, and detailed description of the drawings. A summary of the invention is not recommended, and the Abstract is just the first independent claim reproduced verbatim.
$600 - Prepare the filing documents (e.g., Application Data Sheet, Declarations, Assignment, etc.) and file the patent application electronically via the Electronic Filing System (EFS).
At each of the above stages, the client should evaluate the work product and either agree to continue or agree to move on. If you decide to move on, make sure the patent attorney understands their professional responsibility to provide you a copy of the work product which should assist your new patent attorney.
The above example fee arrangement does not include the US Patent Office filing fees which varies depending on the size of the entity filing the patent application (Regular Entity, Small Entity, or Micro Entity).
Disclaimer: All viewers agree no professional liability arises from anything posted on this website.
If you found this posting helpful, please donate to the author's bitcoin address:
The cost of a patent application varies depending on the complexity of the inventions and the volume of work. Most patent law firms discount their fees for clients filing several patent applications per month. When engaging a new patent law firm, you should agree on a progressive fee arrangement for at least the first patent application where the client pays the law firm for work performed over the various stages of a patent application. This way the client has the opportunity to evaluate the timeliness and competency of the work product at each stage, and change law firms when prudent. Here is an example progressive fee arrangement for a relatively complex invention:
$2,000 - Initial review of the invention disclosure and prior art search. This stage is critically important to ensure the patent attorney understands the invention and is able to find the relevant prior art to aid in claim drafting.
$1,000 - First figure and corresponding first independent claim covering a significant embodiment of the invention in view of the prior art. The drawings and claims should be drafted first in every patent application. If your patent attorney disagrees... run as fast as you can to find a different patent attorney.
$3,000 - Five to eight additional figures and corresponding claims (e.g., 3 independent claims and 17 dependent claims).
$3,000 - Draft the background, brief description of the drawings, and detailed description of the drawings. A summary of the invention is not recommended, and the Abstract is just the first independent claim reproduced verbatim.
$600 - Prepare the filing documents (e.g., Application Data Sheet, Declarations, Assignment, etc.) and file the patent application electronically via the Electronic Filing System (EFS).
At each of the above stages, the client should evaluate the work product and either agree to continue or agree to move on. If you decide to move on, make sure the patent attorney understands their professional responsibility to provide you a copy of the work product which should assist your new patent attorney.
The above example fee arrangement does not include the US Patent Office filing fees which varies depending on the size of the entity filing the patent application (Regular Entity, Small Entity, or Micro Entity).
Disclaimer: All viewers agree no professional liability arises from anything posted on this website.
If you found this posting helpful, please donate to the author's bitcoin address:
12rdHyGyFsTrf1chH6fiFgwdXGqkRkarPG