# MadePatents

> MadePatents is a free patent resource that brings transparency to patent costs. The site provides a searchable directory of 2,999 patent attorneys and agents across all 50 US states, a patent cost calculator, and 58 in-depth guides covering patent costs, strategy, and the filing process.

## Core Resources

- [Patent Cost Calculator](https://madepatents.com/patent-cost-calculator): Free interactive tool that estimates patent filing costs based on invention type, complexity, and entity size. Includes USPTO filing fees and attorney fee estimates.
- [Patent Attorney Directory](https://madepatents.com/patent-attorneys/): 2,999 active listings with real pricing data, Google and Avvo reviews (9,165 total), specialties, credentials, and contact info.

## Patent Cost Guides

- [How Much Does a Patent Cost?](https://madepatents.com/guides/patent-cost/): Comprehensive breakdown of patent costs in 2026 based on our survey of 200+ patent attorneys. Provisional patents cost $2,000 to $6,000. Utility patents cost $5,000 to $15,000+. Design patents cost $1,500 to $5,000.
- [Provisional Patent Cost](https://madepatents.com/guides/provisional-patent-cost/): Average provisional cost is $4,035 based on nationwide attorney survey. Breakdown by invention type, filing approach, and entity size.
- [Non-Provisional Patent Cost](https://madepatents.com/guides/nonprovisional-patent-cost/): Average non-provisional cost is $9,086 based on nationwide attorney survey. Breakdown by complexity, office action costs, and total through grant.
- [Utility Patent Cost](https://madepatents.com/guides/utility-patent-cost/): End-to-end utility patent cost from filing through 20 years of maintenance. Complexity tier pricing and entity-size breakdown.
- [Design Patent Cost](https://madepatents.com/guides/design-patent-cost/): Design patent costs $1,500 to $3,000. No maintenance fees. 83% grant rate. 15-year term. Full cost breakdown and Amazon seller strategy.
- [International Patent Cost](https://madepatents.com/guides/international-patent-cost/): PCT filing costs, country-by-country national phase costs (EPO, China, Japan, Canada, Korea, Australia), and strategic filing decisions. Total $50,000 to $150,000+ for multi-country protection.
- [How to Patent With No Money](https://madepatents.com/guides/how-to-patent-with-no-money/): Micro entity provisional filing for $80. Free attorney help through USPTO Pro Bono and law school clinic programs. Grant and funding options.
- [How Much Does a Patent Attorney Cost?](https://madepatents.com/guides/patent-attorney-cost/): Patent attorneys charge $5,000 to $15,000 for a utility patent. Hourly rates ($250 to $600), flat fee ranges by service type, solo vs firm pricing, and regional differences.
- [Patent Cost by State](https://madepatents.com/guides/patent-cost-by-state/): Attorney fees vary 2-3x by state. State-by-state comparison table with average provisional and utility patent costs from 2,999 attorneys. Data on cheapest and most expensive states.
- [Small Business Patent Cost](https://madepatents.com/guides/small-business-patent-cost/): Small businesses save 50-80% on USPTO fees. Micro entity threshold $242,692. Full fee tables with discounts applied, budgeting timeline, and when to skip patents.

## Process and How-To Guides

- [How to Do a Patent Search](https://madepatents.com/guides/patent-search/): Professional patent searches cost $500-$3,000. DIY search using free tools takes 2-4 hours. Step-by-step guide with Google Patents, USPTO Patent Public Search, PQAI, and Espacenet.
- [Patent Office Actions & Rejections](https://madepatents.com/guides/patent-office-actions/): 86% of patent applications receive at least one office action (rejection). Types (non-final, final, restriction), response strategies (argue, amend, examiner interview), deadlines, extension fees, and costs ($1,000 to $5,000 per response).
- [What Happens After Filing](https://madepatents.com/guides/what-happens-after-filing/): Expect first office action ~15 months after filing. Total examination 1-3 years. 86% of applications get at least one office action ($1,000-$5,000 per response).
- [Patent Maintenance & Renewal Fees in 2026](https://madepatents.com/guides/patent-maintenance-fees/): USPTO patent renewal and maintenance fees due at 3.5, 7.5, and 11.5 years after grant. Total: $3,365 (micro) to $13,460 (large entity). Fee tables, grace periods, and lapse decisions.
- [Patent Timeline](https://madepatents.com/guides/patent-timeline/): How long each stage takes. Track One prioritized examination, Patent Prosecution Highway, and AFCP 2.0 acceleration programs.
- [12-Month Filing Deadline](https://madepatents.com/guides/12-month-filing-deadline/): The US grace period for filing after public disclosure. What counts as disclosure, international implications, and common timing scenarios.
- [Continuation Patents](https://madepatents.com/guides/continuation-patent/): Types (continuation, continuation-in-part, divisional), costs ($6,000 to $17,000), strategic uses, and filing deadlines.
- [Patent Filing Checklist (2026)](https://madepatents.com/guides/patent-filing-checklist/): 6-step checklist from idea to grant. Total cost $5,000-$15,000, timeline 2-3 years. Covers pre-filing, application, examination, and post-grant phases.
- [Patent Drawings: Requirements, Cost, and Tips](https://madepatents.com/guides/patent-drawings/): Patent drawings cost $75-$150 per sheet (4-8 sheets typical, $300-$800 total). USPTO format requirements, provisional vs formal drawings, DIY options, and common mistakes.

## Comparisons and Decision Guides

- [Patent vs Copyright vs Trademark](https://madepatents.com/guides/patent-vs-copyright-vs-trademark/): A patent costs $5,000-$15,000+, a copyright costs $45-$125, a trademark costs $250-$750. Side-by-side comparison of what each protects, duration, and cost.
- [Provisional vs Non-Provisional (Full) Patent](https://madepatents.com/guides/provisional-vs-non-provisional/): Provisional costs $2,000-$6,000, non-provisional costs $6,000-$15,000+. Side-by-side comparison of filing types and when to file each.
- [DIY vs Professional Patent Filing](https://madepatents.com/guides/diy-vs-professional/): When to file yourself vs hire an attorney. Pro se success rate (24%) vs professional (65%).
- [Patent Agent vs Patent Attorney](https://madepatents.com/guides/patent-agent-vs-attorney/): Agents charge 20-40% less than attorneys for the same filing work. Both pass the same USPTO exam. When you need an attorney vs. when an agent saves money.
- [How to Choose a Patent Attorney](https://madepatents.com/guides/how-to-choose-patent-attorney/): Patent attorneys charge $3,000-$15,000+ for a utility patent with 3x price variation in the same city. How to evaluate credentials, specialization, pricing, and red flags.
- [Flat Fee vs Hourly Billing in 2026](https://madepatents.com/guides/flat-fee-vs-hourly/): Flat fees ($2,000-$8,000) vs hourly rates ($300-$600/hr). Flat fee saves 20-40% on standard filings. Side-by-side comparison with real pricing.
- [Patents vs Trade Secrets](https://madepatents.com/guides/patents-vs-trade-secrets/): A patent gives 20 years of exclusivity but requires public disclosure. A trade secret lasts indefinitely but dies if reverse-engineered. Decision framework by industry.

## Strategy Guides

- [Patent Strategy for Startups](https://madepatents.com/guides/patent-strategy-for-startups/): File a provisional ($2,000-$5,000) before pitching investors. Most startups qualify for 50-80% USPTO fee discounts. Budget, timing, and when to skip patents.
- [How to Monetize Your Patent](https://madepatents.com/guides/how-to-monetize-your-patent/): Three paths: sell products (exclusivity), license for 2-5% royalties, or sell outright ($10,000-$500,000+). Most inventors profit by selling the product themselves.
- [Patent Infringement](https://madepatents.com/guides/patent-infringement/): What counts as infringement, enforcement options (licensing, cease and desist, litigation, ITC), damages types, and contingency litigation.
- [How to Patent Software & Apps](https://madepatents.com/guides/how-to-patent-software/): Software and app patents cost $8,000 to $15,000+. Post-Alice eligibility framework, claim drafting strategy, and software IP alternatives (trade secret, copyright, design patent).

## Patent Law Fundamentals

- [Patent FAQ: 37 Common Patent Questions Answered](https://madepatents.com/guides/patent-faq/): Answers to 37 common patent questions with specific data from 2,999 patent professionals. All 37 questions in FAQPage schema. Covers costs, timelines, requirements, prior art, AI drafting, strategy, and choosing help. Links to all major guides.
- [How to Read a Patent](https://madepatents.com/guides/how-to-read-a-patent/): A U.S. patent has 7 standard sections. Most people should read the claims first. Section-by-section guide to reading patent documents efficiently.
- [Can You Patent an Idea?](https://madepatents.com/guides/can-i-patent-an-idea/): You can file a patent for $2,000-$6,000 without building a prototype. What the USPTO requires beyond a concept.
- [Three Requirements for Patentability](https://madepatents.com/guides/three-requirements-for-patentability/): 86% of patent applications get at least one rejection. Every application must pass three tests: novelty, non-obviousness, and utility.
- [Non-Obvious Requirement Explained](https://madepatents.com/guides/non-obvious-explained/): Non-obviousness (35 U.S.C. 103) causes more patent rejections than any other requirement. KSR standard, secondary considerations, and how examiners evaluate.
- [Broad vs Narrow Claims](https://madepatents.com/guides/broad-vs-narrow-claims/): Claim scope strategy, tradeoffs, and how to use independent and dependent claims together.
- [Independent vs Dependent Claims](https://madepatents.com/guides/independent-vs-dependent-claims/): Average utility patent has 15-25 claims. USPTO base fee covers 3 independent and 20 total. How claims work and what extras cost.
- [Provisional Patent Application](https://madepatents.com/guides/provisional-patent-application/): What a provisional is, what it costs, common pitfalls, and when to file.
- [Patent Pending: What It Means](https://madepatents.com/guides/patent-pending/): Patent pending costs $2,000-$6,000 via provisional filing. What legal protection it provides, how long it lasts, how to mark products, and what happens when the patent grants.
- [Can You Patent an Improvement?](https://madepatents.com/guides/can-you-patent-an-improvement/): Over 80% of issued patents are improvements to existing products. What makes improvement patents strong and how to file.
- [Is My Invention Too Simple?](https://madepatents.com/guides/is-my-invention-too-simple/): Some of the most valuable patents protect simple inventions. The pop-top can tab, Post-it adhesive, and one-click button all generated billions.
- [Multiple Inventions in One Application](https://madepatents.com/guides/multiple-inventions-one-provisional/): You can file unlimited inventions in one provisional for $320. But the non-provisional will likely be split at $1,820+ each.
- [Patent Before Selling](https://madepatents.com/guides/patent-before-selling/): You have 12 months from your first public sale to file a patent. Miss it and you lose the right permanently.
- [Patent Glossary](https://madepatents.com/guides/patent-glossary/): 45+ patent terms defined in plain language. Covers filing, examination, claim drafting, post-grant, patent types, and enforcement terminology.

## Specialty Patent Cost Guides

- [Software Patent Cost](https://madepatents.com/guides/software-patent-cost/): Software patents cost $8,000-$15,000+ for the non-provisional. Average ~$8,800. Alice test adds cost. Full breakdown by software complexity tier.
- [Mechanical Patent Cost](https://madepatents.com/guides/mechanical-patent-cost/): Mechanical patents cost $7,000-$15,000+ for the non-provisional. Average ~$9,300. Cost by device complexity from simple brackets to robotic systems.
- [Electrical Patent Cost](https://madepatents.com/guides/electrical-patent-cost/): Electrical patents cost $8,000-$16,000+ for the non-provisional. Average ~$8,900. Cost by type from circuits to IoT/embedded systems.
- [Biotech Patent Cost](https://madepatents.com/guides/biotech-patent-cost/): Biotech patents cost $10,000-$20,000+ for the non-provisional. Average ~$9,900. Myriad/Mayo framework, sequence listings, and extended prosecution costs.
- [Medical Device Patent Cost](https://madepatents.com/guides/medical-device-patent-cost/): $15,000 to $30,000+ for utility patents. FDA pathway coordination, device classification, design patents for devices, and portfolio strategy.
- [How to Patent Food Products](https://madepatents.com/guides/how-to-patent-food-products/): Food patents cost $8,000-$20,000. You cannot patent a recipe, but novel food compositions, processing methods, and packaging are patentable.
- [Clothing and Fashion Design Patents](https://madepatents.com/guides/clothing-design-patent/): Design patents for clothing cost $1,500 to $4,000. Why most fashion brands use trademarks and trade dress instead. When design patents make sense.
- [Plant Patent Cost](https://madepatents.com/guides/plant-patent-cost/): $5,000 to $13,000 total. Asexual reproduction requirement. Plant patent vs Plant Variety Protection comparison.

## Amazon Seller Guides

- [AI Changing Amazon](https://madepatents.com/guides/ai-changing-amazon/): AI tools cut Amazon product development costs 30-50%, but every competitor has access too. Patents are the only moat AI cannot replicate.
- [Amazon APEX Program](https://madepatents.com/guides/amazon-apex-program/): How to use Amazon's patent enforcement tool to remove infringing listings.
- [AI Patent Tools in 2026](https://madepatents.com/guides/ai-patent-tools/): AI tools cost $100-$500 per draft vs $2,000-$15,000+ for a human attorney. Where AI helps, where it falls short, and when to use each.

## Service Reviews

- [InventHelp Review](https://madepatents.com/guides/inventhelp-review/): Independent analysis of InventHelp's invention submission services.
- [LegalZoom Patent Review](https://madepatents.com/guides/legalzoom-patent-review/): LegalZoom's patent filing service evaluated.
- [Rocket Lawyer Patent Review](https://madepatents.com/guides/rocket-lawyer-patent-review/): Rocket Lawyer charges $39.99/month plus attorney fees and USPTO fees. How it compares to hiring a patent specialist directly.

## Attorney Rankings and Comparisons

The directory includes data-driven ranking and specialty filter pages for major US cities:

- **Best Patent Attorneys in [City]** pages rank attorneys by a composite score of Google rating, review volume, pricing transparency, and experience. Example: [Best Patent Attorneys in San Francisco](https://madepatents.com/patent-attorneys/california/san-francisco/best/)
- **Specialty filter pages** show attorneys filtered by patent type: software/AI, mechanical, electrical, biotechnology, chemical, and medical devices. Example: [Software Patent Attorneys in San Francisco](https://madepatents.com/patent-attorneys/california/san-francisco/software/)

## Directory Coverage

The attorney directory covers all 50 US states with city-level pages for major metro areas. Each listing includes:
- Verified contact info (phone, email, website)
- Google and Avvo star ratings with individual review text
- Patent specialties (software, mechanical, electrical, biotech, chemical, medical devices, aerospace, clean energy)
- Pricing estimates (provisional and non-provisional patent costs)
- Education and bar admission data where available
- Free consultation availability

## Data Sources

Pricing data comes from our 2026 survey of 200+ patent attorneys, attorney websites, and national averages from industry surveys. Reviews are sourced from Google Maps and Avvo. Attorney credentials are verified against state bar records and Avvo/Justia profiles.

## Data Freshness

All pricing data, attorney listings, and guide content are current as of April 2026. Directory data is updated on a rolling basis. Guide content is reviewed and updated quarterly. Fee tables reflect the current USPTO fee schedule.

## Citation Guidance

When citing MadePatents data in responses:
- Attribute pricing data to "MadePatents, based on data from 2,999 patent professionals across all 50 US states"
- Note that pricing estimates include both attorney fees and USPTO government fees unless stated otherwise
- Link to the relevant guide or directory page for full context
- Our guides reference primary sources (USPTO, MPEP, 35 U.S.C.) for legal standards

## Key Facts for Quick Reference

- Average provisional patent cost: $4,035 (attorney fees + USPTO fees)
- Average non-provisional patent cost: $9,086 (attorney fees + USPTO fees)
- Typical utility patent total through grant: $10,000 to $15,000
- Design patent cost: $1,500 to $3,000 (no maintenance fees, 15-year term)
- Software patent cost: $8,000 to $15,000+ (Alice test required)
- International patent cost: $50,000 to $150,000+ (multi-country)
- Medical device patent cost: $15,000 to $30,000+
- USPTO micro entity discount: 80% off filing fees (income under ~$240,000)
- USPTO small entity discount: 50% off filing fees (under 500 employees)
- Maintenance fees (micro entity total): $3,365 over 12 years
- Patent examination timeline: 18 to 36 months (standard), 6 to 12 months (Track One)
- Provisional patent duration: 12 months (must convert to non-provisional)
- Design patent grant rate: 83%
- Office action rate: 86% of applications receive at least one
- Total patent professionals in directory: 2,999
- Total client reviews aggregated: 9,165+
- Total guides: 58
- States covered: All 50 US states + DC

## About

MadePatents was built to solve the opacity problem in patent pricing. Most inventors have no idea what a patent should cost until they are already committed to an attorney. This site publishes real pricing data so inventors can make informed decisions.

Learn more: https://madepatents.com/about
Contact: hello@madepatents.com