When you obtain a patent, you benefit from a national monopoly for 20 years. When your application is filed with the INPI, the various examination phases lead to the granting of a patent on French territory, while a European patent can protect your invention on the territory of the European Union and even beyond (in Switzerland, Turkey…).
Budgeting my patent
How much will my procedure cost?
What does the cost of patenting depend on?
Applying for and obtaining a patent is not free.
In all cases, you must pay the filing and examination fees, which are used to cover the INPI’s budget, in particular the remuneration of the examiners, as well as the annual fees, known as annuities, which you are required to pay to maintain the patent, and which prevent inventions from being monopolized for 20 years, when they are no longer of interest to the patent applicant. By paying the annuity, you reiterate your interest in maintaining a monopoly on the invention.
In addition to the fees, what will be decisive from a budgetary point of view are your patent attorney’s fees for drafting the patent, as well as the examination phases during which he or she may have to find new arguments to defend your invention. Filing a patent application in no way guarantees that it will be granted. TheINPI orEPO has every right to refuse your request. Indeed, it is their role to ensure that patents are only granted for patentable inventions, and to reject all others.
Finally, if you wish to protect your invention internationally, you should be aware that you will need to translate the patent into the languages of each chosen country, pay fees to the Offices of each country, and your patent attorney will need to solicit local colleagues to represent you before the Offices, all of which inevitably generates costs.
Optimize patent filing costs
Our patent cost calculator takes into account the territories you wish to protect. Invention to be protected in France, Europe or beyond? A set of elements enables us to estimate how much your patent will cost you over 5 years, so that you can budget for these costs in your business plan, or when applying for financing.
Why 5 years? Because that’s the average time it takes to obtain a patent in France, as well as its extensions abroad (Europe, USA, Japan, Canada, Korea, China), via the filing of an international PCT patent application.
To save you time in the process, and to ensure that you have the skills you need to successfully draft and file your patent, we particularly recommend the services of an industrial property attorney (IP attorney). As experts in the technical field of your invention, they can draft your patent and represent you before the patent offices (INPI, EPO). Thanks to digitalization, YesMyPatent is able to offer you the services of Touroude & Associates, an INPI and EPO-accredited IP consultancy, ranked among the top French firms(*).
Wherever you are, without having to go anywhere, it’s quick and easy to check the patentability of your invention and order a patent. And with our online cost simulator, rates are clearly displayed!
Financing the process from registration to delivery
Would you like to obtain financing for your patent filing procedures? Whether you’re an innovative company or a start-up, don’t hesitate to apply for a Research Tax Credit (CIR). This covers up to 30% of the fees of an IP consultant, as well as the filing procedures. Ask your local authorities for more information. A number of local grants for start-ups can help finance patent protection. Last but not least, the BPI can also cover part of your patent expenses, as part of its innovation financing programs.
- Read more: Patenting without a budget
(*)
2018 Les Décideurs Ranking – Leaders League- Industrial property – Patents (general) – IP consulting firm – France
A professional patent board
Your patentability study
Make sure your invention meets the patentability criteria required by the INPI.
Find out more on our dedicated page.
Freedom to operate study
Are you infringing a patented invention? If you receive a formal notice from a competitor, or in the preliminary phase of your patent filing procedures, a freedom-to-operate study is essential.
Find out more on our dedicated page.
Patent opposition
Has your competitor filed a patent that you consider to be an infringement of yours? Request opposition and support from your IP advisor!
Find out more on our dedicated page.
