Patents are issued three types: utility, design, and plant. Patent application costs vary depending on the type of patent being applied for, as well as other considerations like the number of claims and application size. In addition, maintenance fees are required for utility and plant patents.

Filing Fees

These fees vary for utility, design and plant patent types. Utility patent filing fees are $330, design filing fees are $220 and plant filing fees are $220.

Search Fees

These fees cover the resources needed to ensure the invention has not already been patented. Utility patent search fees are $540, design patent search fees are $100 and plant patent search fees are $330.

Examination Fees

These fees cover the resources needed to determine the validity of the application claims. Utility patent examination fees are $220, design patent examination fees are $140 and plant patent examination fees are $170.

Post-Allowance Fees

These fees cover the issuance of the patents. Utility patent issuing fees are $1,510, design patent issuing fees are $860 and plant patent issuing fees are $1,190.

Totals

Basic utility application costs are $2,600, design application costs are $1,320 and plant patent application costs are $1,910.

Additional Costs

Additional costs are required to cover several situations, including patent claims in excess of 20 and applications greater than 100 pages. Furthermore, maintenance fees are required for utility and plant patents at 3.5, 7.5, and 10.5 years of patent protection. See Resources for the current fee schedule.

Source:

USPTO: Patent Types

USPTO: Patents

More Information:

USPTO: Current Fee Schedule