How Much Does it Cost to Get a Patent on an App?
A patent for an app may seem like a great idea, but the fees associated with a successful application can end up being well over $15,000 – and this is assuming that the application has an obvious market need. What are the different types of patent applications? And how long does a patent last? There are pros and cons to each, so let’s take a closer look at the costs and benefits of a patent for an app.
Attorney’s fees through filing for a patent on an app can go well above $15,000
The costs of patenting a mobile application depend on the complexity and scope of the product. Typically, the fee for a mobile app patent can range from $2000 to $15,000 depending on the category and number of rounds of examination. The patent application process can take between two and three years, depending on how much market traction your product has. If you are just starting out, the initial fee for filing a patent application on your app can be as low as $2000.
In some cases, a software patent application can cost well over $15,000, a considerable amount considering the inherent complexity of a software patent. It can range from $7,500 for a simple idea to as much as $17,500 for more complicated ideas. Some types of inventions are more expensive than others, with patents for medical imaging systems costing over $15k. Biochemical and biological inventions typically cost around the same amount.
The costs of a patent application can go as high as $15,000, depending on the complexity and competition of the technology. However, in many cases, a patent attorney’s fees can be significantly less. The cost of filing a patent application is the primary reason why a patent application can be rejected. On average, one to three rejections will be received before a patent can be granted.
Utility patent applications can cost anywhere from $8,000 to $15,000. The costs of preparing a design patent application range from $3,500 to $4,500. This cost does not include the cost of responding to an initial rejection. The cost of responding to a design patent application rejection is less costly and easier to handle. You also don’t have to pay maintenance fees for your design patent.
Types of patent applications
There are several different types of patent applications for an app. Typically, an app that involves a technology is considered patentable if it involves new features and functions that were not known before the invention. In other words, the app must not be obvious to someone skilled in the technology field when the application is filed. Listed below are some of the most common types of patent applications for an app. They can be useful in evaluating the business scope, creativity, and importance of the app.
Patent application work consists of the written description, claims, and drawings. The work involved in these aspects will be based on a patent search. Generally, the focus of the application will be on areas of novelty and solving a problem. If the app is a new way to solve an existing problem, it will likely involve multiple light bulb moments. It can be difficult to document the entire creative process when you’re working on it on your own.
In order to be patented, the app must be non-obvious to people of ordinary skill and knowledge. Despite this requirement, some mobile apps, like Google Maps, can benefit from a patent for their “improved drag-and-drop” feature. While an app may be non-obvious to other devices, it must be genuinely innovative. An app can leverage digital tools, such as cameras and sensors, to collect data in new and innovative ways.
A provisional patent application will allow the creator of the app to use the term “Patent Pending” on the app’s website. This type of patent application is cheaper than a non-provisional patent application. However, it may take longer to develop an MVP. In addition to allowing you to use the phrase “Patent Pending,” a provisional patent application also allows you to file an international application and priority within 12 months.
A continuation-in-part application has the same specification and disclosure as the parent application. It is entitled to the same priority date as the parent application and its filing date. Generally, it is used for improvements or enhancements that were made after the parent application was granted. So, if your invention is novel, it will be protected by a CIP application. You can even file a divisional application if you are confident that it will become a patent.
Lifetime of a patent on an app
The lifespan of a patent on an application is governed by a number of different factors. For example, there are patents that have shorter lifespans than the usual 20-year term. Some of these shorter lifespans are the result of other patents’ terms, such as the term of a preceding patent. In addition, the lifespan of a patent can be significantly affected by filing two separate applications for the same invention. These types of patents are known as terminal disclaimers and are subject to the same lifetime limits as other patents.
The lifespan of a patent is measured from the date of filing the patent application to when it is issued. A patent is only valid for a period of 20 years, although this can be extended every year by paying the renewal fees. However, after this time, the patent protection ceases to exist and the invention becomes available to the general public. At that point, anyone can commercialize the idea. Fortunately, however, there are ways to extend the lifespan of a patent.
The best way to find out if a patent on an application has expired is to check its status in the USPTO Public PAIR system. Patents in this area are often renewed after a period of ineligibility. However, if a patent has expired because it has not been properly maintained, it could come back at some point in the future. If this happens, it can be a problem for startups.
Once a patent has expired, it will not show a payment window when the maintenance fees are due. However, if maintenance fees have been paid on time, a patent can still be revived. During this time, maintenance fees are not charged if a patent has expired. It will only be revived after the maintenance fees have been paid. The payment window opens six months before the due date, and closes one year after.
Getting a patent on an app is a bad business strategy
If you are developing an app, you might be wondering whether obtaining a patent is a good idea. The short answer is no. Getting a patent on your app is virtually impossible. In fact, there is almost nothing in your app that is patentable. Moreover, patent applications can cost you anywhere from $5,000 to $20,000, and most startups are unlikely to spend that much money on an app patent.