Chapter 4 - Patents & Intellectual Property
IN THIS LESSON
Sample Patenting Expenditure Costs
The average cost to patent an idea range from $5,000 to $16,000+ depending on how simple or complex your invention is. An extremely simple design such as a paper clip typically costs $5,000 to $7,000 to patent, whereas a highly complex invention such as software or satellite technologies runs $14,000 to $16,000+.
According to the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), the basic cost to file a patent application is $300. However, if you are a small entity, the price is $150, and the micro entity fee (for an individual) is just $75.
After three years, you’ll also be required to pay maintenance fees which are currently $980. However, the amount you spend will depend on your patent and entity structure. For example, maintenance fees can cost as little as $400 or as much as $7,500.
Protecting your invention on an international scale is the most expensive route. This type of patent can cost up to $100,000 or more.