Generally, patents are not cheap and there is no one-size fits all. The cost depends on the amount of work needed.

Answer Applies to: Kansas
Replied: 8/12/2011

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You should be able to find a licensed patent attorney to assist you who is familiar with the area of technology of your invention. The cost of the patent depends on the type of patent: design, provisional utility or utility and the complexity of the invention. The cost of the patent application increases with the amount of time required by the patent attorney to prepare your application. If you provide the patent attorney with your written description of your invention and drawings, the attorney should be able to provide you with an estimate of the costs which include the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office filing fee, patent draftsman fees and the attorney's fees.

Answer Applies to: California
Replied: 7/11/2011

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The costs are determined by a few things. The field of art is the major determining factor - generally software patents are more time consuming and harder to write than say a simple mechanical toy. The cost to draft a utility application can range from approximately $4,000 to greater than $20,000 depending on the complexity. The number of drawings needed also determine the cost (unless the client is supplying their own drawings) If a search is needed, it also can drive the cost up.

Answer Applies to: Oregon
Replied: 7/11/2011

Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.

There are many fine patent attorneys in New York. As to cost, please be careful when you choose counsel. Some lawyers will quote a very low price to obtain your business, and they may not offer the quality of services which you need. The cost depends on a wide variety of factors, including the complexity of the technology, the nature and scope of your claimed invention, and the nature and extent of prior art in the field of endeavor. Many lawyers offer to prepare patent applications for relatively modest fees but you should know that companies who pay quality lawyers to prepare and prosecute patent applications often pay fees of $40,000 or more draft and prosecute a single application. In this regard, you want to work with a lawyer who understands your business and commercial objectives, and can advise you on how this particular application fits into your overall strategy. This is one of those areas of the law in which you truly "get what you pay for." While cheap is tempting it may not be such a good idea.

Answer Applies to: New York
Replied: 7/11/2011

Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.

Mistakes can be costly to have fixed, and the damage may be irreversible. Some mistakes can even end up rendering a patent application invalid and an inventor could lose some or all rights to their own invention. So it is usually a good idea to hire a registered patent attorney to help file a patent application, rather than trying to do it yourself. Patent attorneys charge different rates, depending on a number of factors, including how complicated the invention is, their experience, their geographic location, and even the size of their law firm. Call a few attorneys to get a good idea of what some of the charges might be. And don't forget that the US Patent Office charges fees in addition to the attorney fees. Many law firms, including my own, will offer a flat fee arrangement, so that you know the total cost up front.

Answer Applies to: Colorado
Replied: 7/11/2011

Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.

An estimate out of left field is $2500 - $5000, plus or minus. Your patent attorney will bring to light questions and issues of which you are not aware, which may spell the difference between a valuable patent application and a well written technical description.

Answer Applies to: Ohio
Replied: 7/11/2011

Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.