How much does it cost to Patent an idea

You cannot patent an idea itself. To secure a patent, your invention must be more than just a concept; it must be a new, inventive, and industrially applicable product or process. The idea must be developed into something concrete, such as a method, apparatus, or composition, and must meet specific criteria outlined by the UK Intellectual Property Office (IPO).

The costs to apply for a UK patent

If you produce and file the application yourself, the costs to file, apply and pursue a patent would be the current Intellectual Property Office (IPO) fees.

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• Initial cost - the Application Fee : £60.00 (on submission) or £75.00 (if paid at a later date).

• Preliminary Search Fee (12 months later) : £150.00 (+ £75.00 Application Fee if not already paid).

• Examination Fee (12 months later) : £100.00.

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Should the Patent be granted, annual renewal fees would need to be paid, starting from the 5th year.

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Should you employ a Patent Attorney / Agent

There is no law that dictates you have to use a Patent Agent / Attorney to draft, file and secure new technological rights with the Intellectual Property Office. Anyone can do it ! However just because you can, doesn't mean you should.

Patent law and drafting a strong application are highly specialised skills. Navigating the complexities of patent law without professional help commonly leads to mistakes and ultimately failure of the application, particularly when the IPO raises objections. 

So while filing on your own reduces the costs, employing a patent attorney ensures the process is handled with legal precision, ultimately safeguarding your legal rights and invention's commercial value. 

The costs to employ a Patent Attorney / Agent

The cost to compile and file a patent application is based on the complexity of the project, and just like other legal professions, are charged by the hour - unless you've agreed to work together on a fixed fee arrangement (which is how we operate). 

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Typically, costs start from £2,000 for relatively simple inventions and can rise to £10,000 for more complex and technical projects. As above, the costs involved are spread over a period of time.

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• Initial cost : the drafting, compiling and filing of the Application.

• 12 months later : processing of the Preliminary Search.

• 12 months later : processing of the Substantive Examination.

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What if you can’t afford a patent attorney ?

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If hiring a Patent Attorney isn't feasible, you need to consider whether patent protection is the best option.

The patent process is often just one part of a broader strategy e.g. monetising and commercialising the invention. Without a budget for product development, prototyping, testing, and marketing (mandatory requirements), the chances of success are extremely low. 

Potential licensees, buyers and investors tend not to support projects without a granted patent or at least the strong likelihood of one being granted. A poorly drafted patent, lacking technical depth and easily circumvented, holds little value. In contrast, a well-crafted, technically robust patent that effectively prevents others from working around the invention is a valuable asset due to the competitive advantage it offers.​