A patent gives you rights to an invention for a certain period of time. It prevents other people from "making, using, offering for sale, or selling the invention...or importing it into the United States" once the patent has been publicly disclosed. A patent has to be granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office to be legal and valid.

What can be patented?

There are two types of patents: utility and design. Utility patents can be granted for a process, machine, article of manufacture, composition of matter or any improvement of those things that is "new, nonobvious and useful". Design patents cover how an invention looks, not how it works. You can't get a patent for a physical phenomenon, abstract idea, laws of nature, or inventions which are "offensive to public morality".

How is a patent different from a trademark or copyright?

Copyrights cover literary, dramatic, musical and artistic works. Trademarks protect words, phrases, symbols or designs that differentiate goods and services. Patents generally relate to inventions rather than anything covered by a trademark or copyright.

How much does it cost to apply for a patent?

The USPTO charges $320 for the filing fee on a utility patent and $220 for a design patent. However, there's a long list of additional fees that may or may not apply to your application; you can find that list on the USPTO website.

How long will it take for my patent to be approved?

Brace yourself: according to the USPTO, the average timeframe is about 25 months. There are options for expediting the process and reducing the time to 6-12 months, but you'll pay upwards of $1000 for the rush job. And, if you've made any mistakes in your application, expect it to take longer.

Why would I use a patent application service?

It can be tricky to navigate the process of applying for a patent, and every misstep can cost you time and money. Patent application services can eliminate a lot of the guesswork and help you get it right the first time.

Are patent application services expensive?

Not necessarily. You can get expert help for less than $200, plus the standard fees required by the USPTO. If you want concierge-level assistance, you'll probably pay closer to $700 from start to finish. There are also extra services like patent searches, patent valuation, professional illustrations and more that you can consider adding to your package.

Are there any guarantees when using an application service?

You're not going to find a provider that guarantees your patent will be accepted (after all, this is the government we're ultimately dealing with here). However, many will provide a refund within the first 30 or 60 days of using the service, though your patent process won't be even close to complete within that timeframe. The best indicator of a reliable application service isn't a satisfaction guarantee - instead, look through the provider's site to see case studies of customer patents that were granted after using the service.

Patent Express Review for July 2026 | Best Patent Application Services

Item: Patent Express Review
Rating: 2
Author: Top Consumer Reviews

Monday, July 20th We evaluate products and services based on unbiased research. Top Consumer Reviews may earn money when you click on a link. Learn more about our process.

2026 Patent Application Service Reviews

Where is the Best Place to Do Your Patent Application? Have you created something new and exciting? A novel invention or a new process for a company? The next step after creating your groundbreaking invention is to protect it from being stolen by someone else.

2.0

SUBPAR

Subpar

Patent Express

Provisional patent from $3,500
Non-provisional patent from $399 to $8,500
Purchase extras from $6,500 to $13,500
Lawyer does the work
All-inclusive with zero DIY
All necessary documentation included
Files for you
"A+" rating and accreditation from the BBB

SUBPAR

2.0

On the Patent Express website

Patent Express is a site entirely devoted to patents and patent applications. It's owned by the parent company Trademarkia, and it offers both assistance and the forms for filling out your patent application. All you have to do is describe your idea or invention, upload any necessary files (like illustrations or layouts), and then the Patent Express on-staff attorneys will create and submit your patent application to the USPTO. You can get both a provisional patent and a non-provisional design or utility patent with Patent Express.

Costs significantly more than competitors

If you're looking for the lowest costs, you may be disappointed by Patent Express. It's 100% hands-off for you, but it comes at a price. The lowest-priced option is a design patent, which is $899 before government filing fees. This comes with up to 7 patent drawings, a consultation with a lawyer, and a fully prepared patent application submitted for you. The utility patent application comes in two steps. Step one is $1,500 and includes your consultation and preliminary professional drawings. The second step is $7,000 and includes a follow-up consultation, 6 claims, and a professionally-prepared application. Finally, you can get a provisional patent application which gives you the patent pending status for 12 months and includes patent writing, patent drawing, and an optional video call with an attorney. This package costs $3,500.

Optional faster service or international patents

If you want to get your patent completed faster, you can pay an upcharge. However, the costs are extremely steep. For an accelerated patent application, the price goes up to $13,500 for a utility patent. Patent Express also offers an international patent application if you're looking to protect your invention around the world. This includes 146 countries and costs $6,500.

Uncertain refund policy

According to our research, Patent Express does not generally offer refunds for patent application services. There are no refund statements on the Patent Express website. When we researched the parent company, Trademarkia, we found that refunds depend on the amount of progress that's been completed for your application. However, it is unclear if this policy also applies to Patent Express or if this is only for Trademarkia applications (for trademarks and copyrights).

Concerns about costly revisions

The feedback for Patent Express is found under its parent company, Trademarkia. According to the Better Business Bureau, Trademarkia has a stellar "A+" rating and accreditation. However, the reviews on third-party sites like Trustpilot are more balanced. Currently, Trademarkia has a 3.9-star average from reviewers on Trustpilot. Recent reviews suggest that the attorneys at Patent Express (via Trademarkia) offered top-quality advice and provided complete patent applications with no stress. However, others noted that there are additional charges for revisions, so if the patent isn't accepted the first time, you may be paying much more than the stated price to fix your application and resubmit. Several reviewers complained that the final costs were 3-5 times higher than the listed price.

A little too costly for what you get

While a hands-off patent application sounds great in theory, other sites provide similar services for a more cost-effective price. With already high fees for preparing your documents, Patent Express falls behind the pack a bit, with reviews noting additional costs if your patent application isn't accepted the first time. With no concrete refund policy, this can be a pretty hefty commitment for your wallet. Given the more balanced pricing at other patent application services, Patent Express earns one of our lower reviews.

On the Patent Express website

Continued from above...

Where is the Best Place to Do Your Patent Application?

Have you created something new and exciting? A novel invention or a new process for a company? The next step after creating your groundbreaking invention is to protect it from being stolen by someone else.

The best way to do that? Get a patent for it. In the United States, completing a patent application successfully means that the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) legally stops anyone who isn't the inventor (you) from making, using, or selling the product unless you have authorized it.

Typically, a patent will last for 20 years after you've filed your application. There are three different patents depending on what kind of invention you're trying to protect. Utility patents cover inventions related to machines, manufactured objects, physical items, and/or improvements to these things. Design patents are for the ornamental or physical design of an item, and plant patents are for any distinct or new variety of growing plant including mutants, hybrids, or seedlings.

There are two ways to get a patent too: provisional and non-provisional. A provisional patent application lets you get the ball rolling to protect your invention in the short term. It's less formal, but it does expire after one year, and you must complete a non-provisional patent application in the interim. The non-provisional form will require more substantial details from you and an examination from a patent examiner at the USPTO. However, your patent does remain protected during the review period.

So, once you've got something to patent, how do you complete the process? For most people, patent applications can require a lot of research, details about your invention, filing procedures, and waiting. The process of submitting your patent application can be very tedious, especially the research portion. To successfully secure a patent, your invention will need to be novel (it needs to be something new or not too close to another invention that's already got a patent). But researching every other patent out there can take time (and money).

This is where patent application services come in. In most places, your paperwork will be completed by experts, so you don't have to worry about boring research and details. While a few services offer a low-cost DIY approach, the best patent application providers will give you the documents, complete the patent research for you, and provide guidance on best practices for filling out your patent application the right way the first time. Choosing a patent application service takes the guesswork out of the process and offers secure document sharing, helpful updates, and sometimes guarantees of application success.

If you're ready to get your new invention protected, there are plenty of patent application services to assist you in safeguarding your ideas. To that end, we've put together a few factors to help you choose the best service:

Price. Pricing for submitting and getting your patent application together can be costly. It's important to know if you're comfortable with a lower-cost DIY approach or if you want to shell out for the full package. Some services let you pick and choose what you pay for, which can help keep costs down.
Patent type. Not all patent application services offer the same patent support. Some specialize in utility patents, while others have more assistance for design patents. Make sure that your chosen service offers the type of patent application you need so you can get your invention protected pronto.
Hands-on. If you're easily stressed out by the process, you may want to look for services that will do most of the patent application work for you. If you're more comfortable or have submitted a patent before, you might prefer one of the DIY-style services instead. Different services offer various levels of assistance, so make sure you get the amount of help you need.
Reputation. Always check third-party reviews to see how a particular patent application service stacks up against its competitors. Seeing how well (or badly) the process went for another inventor can help you make a final decision. It's helpful to check the company's BBB rating as well, for an unbiased look at the company and its process.

To help you become the next Thomas Edison, Top Consumer Reviews has researched and ranked today's most popular patent application services online today. This way, you can focus on adding new inventions to your list instead of worrying about protecting your intellectual property!

Why Small Businesses File for Patents

Obtaining a patent for a new product or invention is critical to the success of many small businesses. Several new companies start with the revenue from just one popular product or product line and catapult to greatest from there. By not protecting an invention, with a US patent, a small company can instantly go out of business - when another company steals their idea and subsequently patents the stolen product.

Here are some reasons why many small businesses decide to take out a patent:

Protection is key to a fledgling business. One product can make or break the bottom line and if and when another company steals the idea the lights can be shut off in a matter of weeks.
The research and development costs of a new invention can be very expensive. Without a patent another company can come along to create the same or similar product at a fraction of the cost.
Selling the rights to an invention is a profitable business for many companies. For a small business that has a great idea but doesn't want the continued costs of manufacturing or warehousing a widget - it's a great money maker to sell the idea.
That said, patents are considered assets and can help a small business qualify for a loan to build their business.
If you like the idea of a potential buy-out, venture capitalists and larger corporations see patents as a favorable aspect of buying and obtaining the patent rights to a company.
When a small business is trying to make a name for themselves, having a patent on a new invention adds credibility in the market - when they're otherwise unknown to most customers.
Patent filing fees and maintenance costs are much cheaper for small businesses. Also, legal documents required for a patent can be submitted without an expensive legal team - making the process more affordable for a company just starting out.

Many small businesses are eager to obtain patents. Thankfully, the small business association and PTO (US Patent and Trademark Office) offer user friendly resources to small companies interested in protecting their new inventions or intellectual property - making the process of obtaining a patent more accessible. Prices for legal filings and patent maintenance fees are significantly cheaper for small businesses.

Along with the infringement protection, that a patent offers, the benefit of product credibility and a balance sheet boast are great for those businesses just starting out. However, patents don't come with an automatic security guard. Small businesses have to closely police the market for patent infringement and be willing to cover the expenses of a legal battle if a company won't stop using or selling their invention.

Patent Express Review: Patent Application Services

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