How much does patenting cost?

The basic cost of patent registration in Finland consists of several factors, such as filing fees, official fees during the processing period, and annuities. The Finnish Patent and Registration Office (PRH) charges an application fee of €430, which includes the processing of the application and the necessary examination. Additionally, once the patent is granted, annuities apply, increasing over time. The first-year annuity fee is typically around €200, and the annuities rise each year.

Beyond these basic costs, additional expenses may arise if the number of patent claims increases or if modifications or supplementary examinations are required.

The above-mentioned costs apply whether the applicant files the patent themselves or utilizes a patent attorney or firm.

What Factors Affect the Total Cost of Patent Registration?

Several factors influence the total cost of patent registration.

1. Complexity and Scope of the Invention

   • More complex inventions require detailed descriptions and thorough explanations, increasing the preparation workload, particularly if using a patent attorney.
   • Multiple embodiments of the invention may also raise the drafting costs.

2. Prior Art and Examination Findings

   • If prior art publications found during the official examination require arguments to justify the invention’s patentability or necessitate narrowing the scope of protection, additional work is needed.
   • Preparing responses to office actions can be a significant cost factor.

3. Use of Professional Services

   • While hiring a European patent attorney increases the upfront cost, it is often necessary to maximize patent protection.
   • Proper legal understanding ensures optimal protection with minimal costs over the long term.
   • An attorney also reduces the applicant’s workload, allowing them to focus on their core expertise.

4. Licensing, Oppositions, and Legal Disputes

   • If the patent needs to be defended against competitors, litigation and opposition fees can significantly affect the overall costs.

Costs of International Patent Registration

The most comprehensive form of international patent protection is through the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) system, which provides protection for up to 18 months in almost all major industrial countries. However, a PCT application is merely a preliminary step, and national applications must be filed separately in each country for continued protection.

Extensive international protection is rare in practice, as it is expensive and often limited to key industrial markets.

The cost of international patenting is significantly higher than a single national patent because:

• The process eventually splits into multiple national applications, meaning several parallel patent procedures must be managed in different countries.
• Most national patent offices require a local patent attorney, increasing expenses.
• Translation costs must be considered, as applications often need to be translated into the official languages of different countries.

Due to these factors, international patenting is considerably more expensive than obtaining national protection in a single country.

How to Reduce Patent Registration Costs?

Patent costs can be minimized in several ways.

1. Start with a Finnish Patent Application

   • This approach provides an official search report from the Finnish patent office, offering valuable insight into prior art and patentability.
   • The report acts as a quality control measure, highlighting potential weaknesses in the application.
   • Based on the Finnish application, an improved follow-up application can be filed, considering search results and product development.

2. Plan International Protection Strategically

   • Filing a well-prepared PCT application can help reduce costs at later stages.
   • Investing in a high-quality priority founding patent application minimizes the risk of costly rejections or office actions.
   • Strategic planning helps avoid unnecessary applications, focusing protection on key markets.

3. Use Experienced Patent Attorneys

   • Although professional services increase initial costs, they can provide long-term savings by ensuring broad and effective protection for the invention.

Kespat – Leading Patent Firm in Finland

Kespat Oy is one of Finland’s leading patent firms, providing comprehensive industrial property services for both businesses and individuals. Established in 1984, Kespat protects innovations both domestically and internationally.

With offices in Jyväskylä and Kuopio, the company’s expert team includes experienced European patent attorneys. Kespat serves businesses of all sizes, from startups to publicly traded companies.

Visit our website and contact us to secure the best possible protection for your innovation!