What are the benefits of using a smaller IP law firm?
What does a patent cost?
What is a design patent?
What is an industrial design registration?
What is a trademark?
How do I protect my trademark?
Can I save money by drafting a patent application myself and then paying a patent attorney or agent to review it for filing?
What information must I provide my attorney in order for them to prepare my patent application?
What is the comparative cost of pro se and attorney/agent patent filings?
What is the cost of filing patent applications in countries outside of the United States?
What are the benefits of using a smaller IP law firm?
Larger law firms often assign major Clients to their senior partners, giving smaller accounts to junior staff. At CSW, Clients work with experienced attorneys who provide personal attention and accessibility.
Our attorneys have expertise in all phases of patent and trademark law related to chemical, electrical, mechanical, and biotechnology.
What does a patent cost?
The cost to obtain a United States patent includes preparation costs (including search fees, and attorney preparation time), prosecution costs, and government fees including application filing fees, base issue fees, and publication fees. After a patent has been issued, government maintenance fees are required to keep the patent in effect after 3 1/2, 7 1/2, and 11 1/2 years.
The Patent Office offers discounted fees of about half for applicants who qualify as small entities (all individuals and organizations except for-profit businesses with 500 or more employees). For most applicants, the main cost item in the patent application is the fee for the patent attorney or agent who prepares the application. The U.S. Patent and Trademark website provides a current fee schedule.
To discuss fees for your particular patent application, please contact us.
A design patent protects the ornamental appearance or aesthetics of a utilitarian object, device, or apparatus− or a part of one− as contrasted with its functional aspects.
What is an Industrial Design Registration?
An industrial design registration is a vehicle by which a single design application can be filed to seek global protection.
A trademark is an indicator of the source of goods or services. A trademark can consist of one or more words and/or designs, and if sufficiently identified with your goods or services, it can even be a color, container shape, or sound.
How do I protect my trademark?
If only used locally, a trademark can be protected by a state trademark registration; but if used in international or interstate commerce, a federal registration may be obtained.
Can I save money by drafting a patent application myself and then paying a patent attorney or agent to review it for filing?
Unfortunately, it is not possible to answer this question in advance, since it is not possible to know whether the draft application as prepared by the client will be suitable for use in preparing the final application. We highly recommend that a professional draft a patent application, as there are many intricacies and nuances involved.
What information must I provide my attorney for them to prepare my patent application?
It is always helpful to provide everything that has been written about the invention to the patent attorney or agent, preferably electronically. The more information you provide to us, the more comprehensive your patent application will be. This may cost more in terms of application preparation, but it saves time and cost when complete information is provided to the attorney, such as the description of the invention and relevant background information and artwork.
What is the comparative cost of pro se and attorney/agent patent filings?
If you apply pro se (by yourself without a patent attorney or agent), your largest single expenditure will probably be the Patent Office filing fees. If you retain a patent agent or attorney, you will pay for that attorney’s time at a standard billing rate. Patent agents and attorneys vary in billing rates and in billing practices; and some− though not many− will quote a fixed price for preparation of a (utility) patent application.
What is the cost of filing patent applications in countries outside of the United States?
The cost of patent filings varies greatly between countries. In some, the number of claims affects the cost; in others, it is the total page count. Before deciding to pursue filings in several foreign countries, a patent attorney or agent with experience filing in foreign countries can provide a cost estimate.
CSW works with foreign associates in various jurisdictions who are highly regarded in their respective countries and can coordinate filings for you.