djm1051 said:
What is the name of your state? MT
I was quoted that a patent would cost me $4000.00 to $5000.00? Is this in the ballpark? I can't seem to find a straight answer on the web. I want to make sure I am not getting ripped off. Thanks
What exactly are you getting for that $4000 - $5000? If you are going through an invention submission corporation, then from what I've seen, that much money will get you a provisional patent and some marketing materials, which is really nothing -- in other words, a rip off. I'm sure some people have had some success with an invention submission corporation, but they appear to be in the minority...
Other than that, the costs will depend on the complexity of the invention, the geographical location of the person you hire to do the patent, and whether you hire an agent or an attorney to do the work. Typically agents in more rural areas are the cheapest, but not always. You can do this type of work remotely in many cases, so it pays to shop around.
That said, $4000 - $5000 does not seem out of the ballpark for an agent doing a patent of moderate complexity. I've seen some rates a bit cheaper, but that seems in the ballpark for the cost of an issued patent (not just a provisional patent, which is what the invention submission companies get you). You can use google to search for patent agents, many post their rates on their websites. You can also go to the USPTO website and search for registered agents and attorneys in a particular geographic area.
