How much does a patent cost?
The Intellectual Property Rights Helpdesk has released a briefing paper on the real costs involved when you take out a patent.
Patent application costs are often a heavy burden at first, as it can be several years before an invention becomes profitable. The table "Average Costs of Domestic and Foreign Patent Application Procedures" points out the costs for some larger countries and differentiates between the fees of the patent offices and those of the patent lawyers.
In all countries except the USA, annual fees rise constantly until the final, 20th year, with the result that these are quite substantial towards the end of this period. These high fees are usually less important, however, since the majority of patents are not maintained for longer than 15 years. But if an invention is
particularly successful and the annual fees for the corresponding patent are paid until the 20th year, profits are also high enough to make paying the annual fees easier.
For further details and information go to the IPR-Helpdesk website at www.cordis.lu/ipr-helpdesk or send an e-mail to info@ipr-helpdesk.org
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Alexander Weir
Communications & Public Relations
Intellectual Property Rights Helpdesk
64-66 avenue Victor Hugo
L-1750 Luxembourg
Tel: (+352) 47 11 11 1
Fax: (+352) 47 11 11 47
http://www.cordis.lu/ipr-helpdesk
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