Frequently Asked Questions

What are the different types of patent applications?

The different types of patent applications include provisional patent applications, non-provisional patent applications, design patents, and plant patents. A provisional patent application is a preliminary patent that protects your intellectual property for 12 months. It is not considered a true patent, but it gives you one year to file for a non-provisional patent. The cost of filing a provisional patent application can range from $65 to $9,000 plus legal fees. On the other hand, a non-provisional patent, also known as a utility patent, is a full patent that protects an inventor's intellectual property for as long as the patent is in effect. The cost of filing a non-provisional patent application is more expensive, usually costing between $8,000 and $15,000 or more, including legal fees. A design patent is another type of patent application that protects a product's unique appearance only. It is commonly used to protect apparel and fashion pieces, the shape of medical products, and the way manufactured goods look. The cost of getting a design patent usually ranges between $2,500 and $3,000, including a $140 examination fee.