Official Filing Fees in the United States and Latin America
Filing a patent application in the United States and Latin American countries is not only about understanding the distinct requirements of each filing office but also about grasping the various criteria used to charge official filing fees.
This complexity is compounded when dealing with multi-country projects, making it a daunting task for paralegals at IP law firms or in-house IP teams.
Free Official Filing Fee Calculator
all fees for 18 Latin American countries plus the USA
The Problem:
Diverse Criteria for Official Filing Fees
Each country in the Americas has its unique way of calculating official filing fees for patent applications.
In the United States, the issue is compounded given independent and multiple dependent claims are considered, which can significantly increase costs.
Here’s a breakdown of the common criteria used:
Official Fees
A fixed amount required for filing.
Annuities
Some countries include the first or even the second annuity in the filing fees, while others do not.
Claims
Charges may apply for additional claims beyond a certain number (e.g., after 11 claims).
Independent Claims
The USPTO charges additional fees for independent claims exceeding 3, further inflating costs for applicants. More Here
Multiple Dependent Claims
These are dependent claims that claim or refer to more than one preceding independent or dependent claim.
Applicants can reduce USPTO fees by amending claims to eliminate excess and multiple dependent claims.
Additional Pages
The number of pages refer to the final specification language version that was actually filed. In other words, if a translation is used for filing, the translation is used as basis for the page count, not the originally drafted specification.
Additional Priorities
Certain countries charge for more than one priority claim, while others do not.
The Challenge:
Consolidating Information for Multi-Country Filing Projects
For paralegals managing multi-country patent filing projects, the task of consolidating information about filing fees is Herculean.
Typically, they would need to visit each country’s local patent office to gather and compile the necessary data, converting all fees to US dollars or the currency needed, building up a table with the different components of official filing fees.
This manual process is time-consuming and prone to errors, leading many to rely on trustable local agents without questioning the charges.
However, this reliance on agents can lead to issues with late or hidden fees that disrupt budget estimates and hurt the firm’s profitability.
The Solution:
patHUBamericas’ Free Official Filing Fee Calculator
At patHUBamericas, we understand the complexities and challenges faced by IP law firms in managing patent filings across multiple countries.
To address this, we have created a free calculator that consolidates all fees for 18 Latin American countries plus the USA.
Breakdown of official fees (2024)
Details on annuities included in the fees
Charges for additional claims, pages, and priorities
This comprehensive calculator provides a clear and transparent view of what paralegals should expect to pay, allowing them to compare the fees their agents are charging with the actual costs if they were to conduct the filings themselves.
By leveraging patHUBamericas’ tools, IP Law Firms can navigate the complex landscape of patent filing fees with confidence and ease, ensuring precision and efficiency in their filing processes.
Discover how patHUBamericas can transform your filing experience into a model of clarity and reliability.
all fees for 18 Latin American countries plus the USA
Now that you know exactly what to expect in terms of official fees, you can also use our filing calculator.