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The following FAQs are intended for individuals who are relatively unfamiliar with the patent industry. If your question is now answered below, please feel free to contact us.
1. How much will it cost me?
We believe saving clients money is the best way to generate goodwill, and we strive to save clients from unnecessary costs. We can offer both hourly-rate and flat-fee arrangements. Without the overhead costs at large firms, we are able to offer very competitive rates for top-quality work. We only charge attorney fees --- We do not sneak in add-on fees such as paralegal, secretarial, or photocopying charges.
In either hourly-rate or flat-fee arrangements, a provisional patent application costs no more than $2,000; A non-provisional patent application no more than $7,000; And a trademark application no more than $800. Sometimes the costs can be much less, depending on a variety of factors. Please contact us for a quote.
2. What is the difference between a patent agent and a patent attorney?
Think of a patent attorney as a "patent agent + attorney." Patent agents and attorneys are both licensed professionals to practice before the US Patent and Trademark office. However, a patent agent cannot provide any legal advice to the clients. On the other hand, patent attorneys can fully advise clients of the legal caveats and pitfalls.
There are many talented patent agents today who are well qualified to handle the procedural aspects of the patent process. A patent attorney, on the other hand, possesses the additional legal knowledge that can be very valuable to clients, especially when a patent may be contested in courts many years from now.
3. How soon can you file my patent application?
Different applications take different amounts of time to prepare. When the client can provide full information, it typically takes us 2-6 weeeks from the initial consultation to filing. Please contact us for an accurate estimate on the amount of preparation time.
4. How long does it take to receive a patent/trademark?
Currently, after filing, a client can expect to wait 24-36 months to receive a patent, and 12-18 months in the case a trademark registration. The USPTO has a significant backlog.
At Silicon Patent, we understand and utilize measures that will bring results quicker, including Fast Track examinations and the latest e-filing technologies.