How much for a UK patent application?
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How much for a UK patent application? How much to get it to grant? The answers depend on many factors, for example complexity, novelty and inventive step of the invention. Read on for our top three factors in getting a patent granted more easily and our top five tips for you if decide you want one.
We patent attorneys can get patents granted more easily and potentially at less cost in several circumstances. Our top three are:
a) where the invention is a significant breakthrough;
b) where the invention is an improvement and the existing art is well understood and acknowledged in the original application, so what might be new and inventive is well considered before putting pen to paper;
c) where the invention is an improvement, and the proposed scope (protected area) is narrowly defined; in other words don’t try to claim the world.
We encourage clients to take the longer view and use IP, and patents in particular, as tools in their business. To do this here are our top five tips:
1) invest up-front in a pre-filing novelty search and patentability assessment by a registered patent attorney;
2) have a set of claims drafted at the start of the process that take into account that pre-filing novelty search;
3) request an official search at the UK or local national patent office at the start of the process;
4) when the official search results come through, about 6 to 8 months later, have these reviewed by your registered patent attorney and discuss these so you really understand what might be novel and inventive, and so patentable;
5) finally, around 8 to 10 months after filing, consider, understand and inwardly digest everything that has happened in your business and with your patent application; what has been written, searched or reviewed so far and assess the scope of protection you are likely to get. Be realistic, you cannot get protection for everything, everywhere. What do you need protection for to support your business plans?
The course an applicant chooses to take when instructing a patent attorney has most effect on costs.
And to answer the questions up above, generally speaking, an initial UK patent application might be £4k to 6k +VAT and to get a UK patent application all the way to grant over the next 3 to 5 years might be a further £3k to 6k +VAT. How will ‘patent pending’ for 5 years protect your business, discourage potential competitors, aid discussions with investors, partners, lenders and so on?
Get in touch to discuss your aspirations and plans. We can help.
As always, keep any technical inventions strictly confidential until you file a patent application or decide not to.
This article is not legal advice, contact us for advice for your situation.
