Patents:

What is a patent?

What can be patented?

Areas Covered: whoever invents or discovers any new and useful process, machine, manufacture or composition of matter or any new and useful improvement thereof may obtain a patent.

Average Costs: Please consult with an attorney first as costs vary from case to case.

• Utility Patent: $6,800 (internet, electronic, chemical and business methods are normally higher). This includes filing fee, professional drawings & technical specifications. An optional patent search is available (suggested & advisable) for an additional $750. Additional Fees: amendments (if required), printing, issue, publication and maintenance fees for 3, 7 & 11 years after issue. Not included is the cost of enforcement.
• Design Patent: $2,800 (a design patent only protects the appearance of an item)

Typical Items That May Be Protected:

• Utility Patent: (function) tools, devices, machines, computer programs, games, processes, formulas, internet, electronic, chemical and business methods, etc.
• Design Patent: (appearance) shapes of articles, dolls, characters, etc.

Duration of Patent:

• Utility Patent: 20 years from filing.
• Design Patent: 14 years from date granted.

Area of Coverage: Country of Grant. - PCT (Patent Cooperative Treaty) Patents Available For Multi-Country Filing

Renewable: No

Copyrights

Areas Covered: artistic works that typically appeal to the senses such as sight and sound.

Average Cost: $1,200 including filing fee. Copyright search not necessary. Not included is cost of enforcement.

Typical Items That May Be Protected: illustrations, books, songs, dolls, plays, poems, sculptures, paintings, photographs, computer programs, written materials, etc.

Duration of Copyright: life of author plus 50 years

Area of Coverage: Worldwide for participating countries.

Renewable: No

Trademarks

Trademark Drawings

Areas Covered: sources of goods or services

Average Cost: $2,800 including filing fee. An optional Trademark search is available (and advisable) for an additional $750. Not included is cost of enforcement.

Typical Items That May Be Protected: names, logos, designs, Internet domain names, etc.

Duration of Trademark: 10 years

Area of Coverage: Country of Registration

Renewable: Yes

(1) Amendments, if required, printing, issue and publication fees are additional.
(2) Maintenance fees due at 3, 7 & 11 years after issue of utility patent.
(3) Internet, electronic, chemical and business methods are normally higher.
(4) Enforcement of Patent, Trademark or Copyright not included.