Patent Costs Matter More Than You Think Filing a patent is a smart investment, but inventors often ask: How much does it really cost to register a patent in India and abroad?”.

Why Patent Registration Matters In India’s growing innovation ecosystem, filing a patent is not just about legal protection—it’s about creating a business asset.

If you're a startup or inventor planning to take your innovation global, protecting your intellectual property beyond India becomes critical.

The Indian Patents Act allows two routes for filing patent applications outside India: Conventional Application (via Paris Convention) PCT Application (via WIPO’s Patent Cooperation Treaty) Both are valid strategies for international filing, but they differ in costs, timelines, process, and benefits.

This article walks you through the what, why, and how of conducting a patent search in India and globally.

Under Section 2(1)(j) of the Indian Patents Act, 1970, an invention must be: “a new product or process involving an inventive step and capable of industrial application.”

FTO is jurisdiction-specific You may have FTO in India but not in the US or Europe Step 2: Conduct a Patent Search (Focused on Active Patents) Search Patent Databases like InPASS (India) Espacenet (Europe/global) USPTO (USA) WIPO Patentscope (PCT) QuickCompany E-Register Tool Search using Keywords related to technology Patent classification codes (IPC/CPC) Names of competitors or known players Search for Granted Patents Filter results to show only granted, in-force patents in your target countries.

This article can assist in understanding some mandatory requirements before making patent registration in India.

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