How much does it cost to get a patent in United States?

Fees vary depending on the type of patent application you submit. Fees may also vary according to the way you "claim" your invention. More information on filing fees and the number and type of claims.

There are three basic fees for utility patents:

  • The filing fee, which is non-refundable whether or not a patent is granted. (This is the cost to have your invention "examined" by the US Patent and Trademark Office - remember, you may or may not get a patent!)
  • The issue fee (you pay this only if your application is allowed)
  • Maintenance fees (paid at 3 1/2, 7 1/2, and 11 1/2 years after your patent is granted - these fees "maintain" your legal protection).
  • Additional fees may be required.

Typical fees are as follows (these are only intended to give you a "ballpark" estimate) these fees do not reflect all the possible variations in filing and patenting your invention - also, these fees are subject to change - thus, you are strongly advised to check the current fee schedule before submitting your application.

Typical filing fees for an Inventor when application filed with a written assertion of small entity status (See Simplified Small Entity Status Practice :

Filing a provisional application. ( More information ) $105
Filing a non-provisional application. ( More information ) Approximately $515*
Issue fee Approximately $650
Maintenance fees:
  • Due at 3 1/2 years
  • Due at 7 1/2 years
  • Due at 11 1/2 years
  • Approximately $465
  • Approximately $1,180
  • Approximately $1,955
Current fee schedule  

* Does not include the search fee or examination fee.

Source: http://www.uspto.gov/inventors/patents.jsp

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