Help -How much should it cost for a patent?

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  • #1
    Hi There,

    Does anybody know how much it should actually cost to obtain a patent in the UK?

    Or how long it takes to process?

    I've got a great idea and need to get patent fast..

    I tried to research - I've been on a couple of sites - some are saying they cost between £50 - £300, others are saying you have to pay fee's every 3 months in excess of £1000.

    Also time is a factor - some say they take 3 years while others promote fast-track options for a (not small) fee.

    Does anyone know? Have you Been threw the process?

    I'd appreciate any help & advice

    Thanks
     
    B

    Bomten

    Free Member
    Jul 20, 2007
    19
    0
    Leeds
  • #2
    With respect, the question you should be asking is "how much does it cost to defend a patent?"

    I recently attended a presentation entitled "so you think you want a patent" by a leading IP Barrister - it was real eye opener!! and has pretty much put me off ever seeking patent protection!! unless you've got a £150,000+ to back up any potential infringement or IP insurance you are probably wasting your time and money. In my view a patent - for most people - is a ticket for guaranteed future distress and expense. Its the lawyers that rub their hands with glee whenever a patent is granted. There is a very high risk that if you took an infringer to court, the infringer would claim that your patent should never have been granted in the first place - and there is an equally likely chance that the courts would agree and your patent would be taken away - just like that!

    There is a well respected Barrister - Jane Lambert who presently has a book at the publishers which you should buy when available!! it'll open you eyes too!!
     
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    Moneyman

    Moneyman

    Free Member
    May 3, 2008
    2,731
    776
  • #6
    Look up patent lawyers in the old yellow pages and go and see one. the first meeting and advice is usually free and they should tell you if you can/should actually patent it. the rest depends on how many countries etc. £10k in total by the time you are finished should do the bulk. But it can be more. Depends on which countries.
    BUT you often just need to start the process to get some protection and then you get a year or two before you have to actually cough up the full dough. So you are covered and can run about seeing if the idea has any future before you spend more than £1000ish cash. But get the ball rolling before you tell anyone.
    You can insure against infringement. If the guys rip you off for loads of money you can get no win no fee deals to chase.
     
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    Antonia @limeone.com

    Antonia @limeone.com

    Free Member
    Jan 28, 2006
    1,703
    141
    Chester
  • #7
    http://www.ipo.gov.uk/patent/p-applying/p-costtime.htm deals with the costs involved in terms of fees payable. Most patents cost a lot more than the fees as most companies require specialist help in applying.

    You can also get a quote for IP insurance from http://www.phpl.co.uk.

    The real cost is always in defending the rights you have rather than the application and short cuts on the application ie a DIY job tend to get revisited in the long haul when someone either challenges the application or the patent itself.
     
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