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What Price Patents?

Ask ‘How much does a business patent cost?’ and you’ll get a singularly unhelpful, ‘That depends.’ ‘On what?’ you ask. Excellent question….

Provisional Patents—They are simple, hold the date patents that function to establish first-to-file status for an invention. Shorter paperwork and less expansive than a regular patent application, as of 2019 the cost of a provisional patent is $280, with the cost for a small entity at $140 and a micro-entity at $70.

Utility Patent—This is a step up from provisional. Utility Patents are for “any new and useful process, machine, article of manufacture, or composition of matter, or any new and useful improvement thereof,” including internet patents, according to the USPTO. As of 2019, a utility patent application is $300, $150 for small entities and $75 for a micro entity.

Design Patent—A Design Patent protects “a new, original, and ornamental design for an article of manufacture.” Think shoes, clothing and the like. Today, the cost of a design patent application is $200, $100 for small entities and $50 for a micro entity.

Plant Patent—used to protect a plant hybrid that is a distinct and new plant variety. The cost of a plant patent application is $300, $150 for small entities and $75 for a micro entity.

Search Me! That’s our clever-ish way of saying, before you apply for a patent you’ll need to search existing patents for conflicts. The USPTO will search for you—for $600. You can search yourself—the USPTO website will walk you through it—much cheaper. Or, the best way—hire a patent attorney and pay the price. Could very well be worth it in the end.

This article is intended to provide basic information for starting a discussion with a financial professional about your specific financial situation. Please consult with a financial professional regarding your specific financial situation before making any financial decisions.

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