About Utility Patent Applications
There are various kinds of patents. A utility patent covers “useful inventions” such as an improved product, process, manufacture, or machine. Utility patents are one of the most common. They can take from two to several years to get through the entire review process before a patent may be granted. Once granted, a utility patent will allow you to prohibit others from using or selling the invention without your express authorization.
The price for drafting a proper application with all the necessary United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) requirements and prosecuting the application through to registration can range from a few thousand dollars to the tens of thousands for more complex inventions. Therefore, understanding the entire process ahead and having the ability to plan and budget for costs in advance of starting the patent application process, can provide a major advantage and help you be prepared for the challenges of obtaining patent protection.
At Klemchuk LLP, we have helped numerous individual inventors as well as start-up companies with obtaining utility patent applications. With our flat fee utility patent application pricing option, we can help you keep costs manageable, without surprises, with the help of experienced patent professionals that have prosecuted a wide range of technology patents.
Why File A Utility Patent Application?
If you have come up with an improvement and useful invention that appears to be protectable, then that is a valuable asset. A patent search is necessary to help determine whether an idea may be patentable. In business, such assets can greatly improve a company to the disadvantage of competitors, but only if the invention is protected. Without protection, once third parties become aware of the invention and start using it, then it becomes fair game for anyone to use, make, or sell. However, with protection, the inventor will gain proprietary rights and any third-party use must be authorized through licensing, royalty, and other agreements with monetary gain for the rightful owner.
There are specific timelines and requirements that must be adhered to in filing a patent application, so obtaining advice from an experienced patent attorney early on, is key to helping ensure the process goes smoothly.
Don’t Fall For DIY and Online Patent Filing Companies
Some inventors and small companies try to minimize costs for obtaining utility patent protection by using patent filing companies found online and hope they have done things correctly. The danger with online patent filing companies and the “do it yourself” patent application, is that there will be lacking the experienced advice of actual licensed patent prosecution attorneys with knowledge of the types of hurdles patent applications face.
The DIY patent and online patent filing companies may not adequately protect your interests. Often, people obtain patents in this manner, but the protection provided is so narrow that there is little to nothing that can actually be enforced from the patent. So, the time and money spent on “saving” can turn out to be a waste of money and loss of proprietary rights that could have been safeguarded.
Klemchuk LLP offers utility patent application drafting and filing for a flat rate price, to help keep costs clear and allow for proper budgeting for the prosecution portion of the registration process.
Flat Rate Patent Application
If you are interested in our Flat Rate Utility Patent Application use the form below to tell us how we can help.
Alternatively you can give us a call
(214) 367-6000
We offer additional types of flat fee services for patent related matters. Contact us for information on any specific services you are interested in. See Engaging with Us for how we interact with clients.
Benefits of Our Flat Fee Utility Patent Application Pricing Program
Many inventors and business owners need legal help to understand whether an idea or invention can be patentable and then need assistance with proceeding through a lengthy patent application and prosecution process with very strict requirements. After a patent search has been performed, an informed decision can be made to proceed with an application.
With our flat fee patent services, you get:
Professional Service from Licensed Patent Attorneys with Years of Experience
Price Predictability
You deserve experienced advice and assistance to walk you through the process of drafting a proper utility patent application with technical drawings, and the various requirements needed for an application to be examined for registration, all at an affordable, transparent, and predictable cost.
See our Patent Registration Process for an overview of the patent process from a patentability search through registration of a patent. See also our Patent Cost and Pricing Options for a discussion of how much a patent costs and how we bill for our services. Our post Have an Invention — What are the Next Steps to Get a Patent? discusses key decisions inventors must make during the patenting process.
How it Works (Our Process)
STEP 1
Contact you to gather information about the idea/invention.
STEP 2
Prepare a draft of the utility patent application with drawings.
Step 3
Answer questions and make minor revisions to get a final version.
Step 4
File the utility patent application with the USPTO.
Utility Patent Application Flat Rate Pricing Options
Although utility patent applications may cover various different types of technology and can involve a wide range of complexity, our attorneys offer flat fee pricing in three tiers.
Basic Utility Patent
$5,000
This option is for patents that involve basic technology and do not require elaborate technical drawings to identify the invention.
Standard Utility Patent
$7,000
This option is for patents that involve moderately advanced technology and will require more advanced technical drawings to identify the invention.
Advanced Utility Patent
Price Varies*
This option is for patents that involve advanced technology and will require more intense drafting and advanced drawings to identify the invention. While we will offer flat rate pricing for this type of invention, we provide a custom flat rate price once we’ve discussed the invention in more detail, as inventions in this tier can greatly vary in requirements.
*Government filing fees range in cost depending on the type and size of the applicant, from $355 – $1420, for a basic application. In addition to government filing fees, professional draftsman fees typically range from $500-$1,000 for a basic application.
The Not So “Fine Print”
Limitations, Conditions, and Caveats
In some instances, a flat fee is not appropriate. Of course, we can most likely assist, and would tell you in advance what costs to anticipate.
Moreover, the flat fee does not include any additional work, such as significant revisions to the documents, or additional work not identified at the time of engagement. The utility patent application flat rate includes the drafting of the various portions of an application, draft of drawings by a professional draftsman, and minor revisions to the drafts to get the application in final filing status, as well as the filing of the application with the USPTO. Any additional work to be performed after the filing of the application within the prosecution process, would be extra and billed at our standard hourly rates.
This page is for information only and does not constitute legal advice nor our engagement as your legal counsel. We reserve the right to change or discontinue any of the flat fee services provide on our web site at any time. All services are subject to our conflicts policy, Terms of Service, and the execution of our Flat Fee Engagement Agreement.
Payment
All flat fees must be paid in advance. Invoices or requests for retainers for future work needed will be sent in accordance with our standard billing process. As a courtesy, we accept most major cards and can accept online checks.
Additional Hourly Patent Legal Services
We offer full service patent legal services and advise clients regarding the following patent related issues:
You can find additional information in our Patent Services page.