Patent protection costs are divided into four categories:
Application and processing fees are paid to national and regional patent offices. These fees differ by country (information on fees can be received directly from national intellectual property offices) and typically lower than those listed below.
Fees for hiring the services of an industrial property representative or organization to assist in the preparation of a patent application. Though the use of an industrial property agent is usually not required (unless the applicant does not live in that country and the law of that country requires that he or she be represented by a lawyer or licensed to practice), it is generally best to get legal advice when drafting documents relating to your invention.
Translation fees. These fees only apply when you request to protect your innovation in countries where the official language is different from the language used in the application. This fee is usually extremely costly, especially for high-tech patent applications.
Maintenance fees. These fees are typically paid over a particular period of time (for example, annually or every five years) in order to keep the protection claim active. Maintaining a patent for the whole period of protection (often 20 years) can be extremely costly in some countries.In reality, considering the protection period is essential because the annual maintenance fee increases as the protection period lengthens.
The PCT System service operated by WIPO can greatly decrease costs and simplify procedures for SMEs with a chance to register for patent protection in several countries.
