How much will having a patent application prepared and filed cost me?
There are a number of steps to getting a patent as indicated in the Patent Process chart. Normally, however, it is the initial cost to get an application on file that concerns most inventors. Typically, the initial cost involves (1) a patent search to determine whether the invention is patentable and often to determine whether practicing the invention would potentially infringe anothers patent, (2) analysis of the documents uncovered during the search, and (3) the drafting and filing of a patent application. If you have done any research into the cost of getting a patent, you know the fees vary dramatically. One firm may charge $250 for a patent search while another charges $1000 or more. Some agents and attorneys advertise that they will prepare a utility application for $2500-$3000, while large national firms can charge upwards of $10,000. It doesnt seem reasonable that one patent attorney will prepare an application for a mere $2500 and another will charge around $10,000 for the sam
