Project Description

Challenge

In a globalised world, the quality of patent translations has become a key issue. A recently conducted survey reveals that poor translations are widespread and are causing active harm to patent owners.

Strategy

Translations can account for up to 50% of the cost of national stage entry, so cost-cutting strategies could make a significant difference in the bottom line. Strategic costs savings can then be used to stretch a diminishing budget, or offer opportunities to expand patent protection into other countries without busting your budget.

Approach

Lowering patent translation costs utilizing the above strategies should not entail compromising on quality. And one aspect of quality you should not compromise on is ensuring that your translated applications are carefully reviewed by a patent attorney in the target country before they are filed.

Our process

Here are our strategies for Managing Patent Translation

Focus Filings

One option to reduce patent translation costs is focusing on regional blocs where one translation will cover multiple countries. For example, translating your patent into Arabic will allow you to file with the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council), which includes Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, and the UAE.

Repetitive Text Analysis

Inquire about repetitive text discounts, especially if you use boilerplate language in your applications and are translating more than one patent into the same language, or have translated similar patents into that language in the past.

Translation Specialists

Another strategy worth considering is turning to a patent translation firm with proven expertise in translating patent applications. As is the case with legal services in the patent arena, you want to seek specialized expertise.

Conversion into Similar Languages

If you are filing in a) Latin America and Spain, b) Brazil and Portugal, or c) China and Taiwan, it makes sense to obtain one translation and then “convert” it for filing in additional countries.

Results

Lowering patent translation costs utilizing the above strategies should not entail compromising on quality. And one aspect of quality you should not compromise on is ensuring that your translated applications are carefully reviewed by a patent attorney in the target country before they are filed.