How much should a startup budget for its first patent?
Reviewed by
Dominic Davies, patent attorney (20+ years)
· Last reviewed
September 11, 2026
With flat pricing, a plannable line item: $7,200 per patent application per year with Lightbringer, plus official fees, which most startups pay at a 60% (small entity) or 80% (micro entity) discount. Through a traditional hourly firm the same US utility application typically runs $10,000 to $25,000 in attorney fees before office actions.
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