Last Updated on April 1, 2024 by Nasir Hanif
Filing a patent is an expensive process, so it is understandable that applicants want to save on costs whenever possible. Translation costs make up a large part of the initial costs and can account for more than 50% of the total costs, depending on the length of the patent application. Especially patents in the field of chemistry are usually quite long, so that the translation costs are decisive there.
A patent translator must have linguistic and technical skills
The main problem when looking for a good patent translator is that you need a professional who not only has excellent command of the source and target languages, but who is also familiar with the technical background of the invention and has a good understanding of the invention.
There are many translation agencies and freelance translators that offer cheap rates, but do they have the necessary technical knowledge and experience in the relevant field?
Poor patent translations are more expensive in the long run
The wording of the translated patent specification and claims is the most important thing when it comes to applying for your patent abroad. It can have a major impact on the chances of being granted and also on the scope of protection of the patent.
With a low-cost translator, you may save once on the passport translation costs, but in the long run the patent application can become more expensive overall. Ambiguous formulations due to inappropriate translations can lead to examination notices or, in the worst case, the scope of protection of the patent can be reduced due to unfavorable formulations in the claims.
How exactly can bad patent translations negatively impact a patent application?
1. False information about competitor’s patents or cited patents
Many companies monitor their competitors’ patents to see what they are up to. If a competing patent is pending in a foreign language, a translation is required. To save costs, there is the possibility to use machine translations. However, machine translation can produce bad translations that give the wrong picture. Understanding a competitor’s patents with sufficient accuracy and acting accordingly requires a professional translation. The same applies to foreign patents that are cited in examination reports. Understanding why a patent was refused and preparing an appropriate response requires a thorough understanding of the cited reference.
We are happy to help you with the translation of competing patents or references from examination notices. A partial translation of a patent specification is also possible. If you are unsure whether you need a full translation or just a part, please feel free to contact us.
2. Patent Examination Problems
When requesting examination for a foreign patent application, the translation is assessed by patent examiners in the respective country. It is therefore important to translate the application in a way that is clear and understandable for the examiners in their own language. However, clear and unambiguous translations of technical concepts require certain previous knowledge and thorough research. It is therefore very important that your patent is translated by an expert in the field who is also familiar with the usual wording for patent applications in this field.
Ambiguous translations can lead to additional test reports and thus to a general increase in costs.
Our patent translators are all experts in their respective fields and have translated a large number of patent documents. They are familiar with the wording and know how to formulate translations in order to avoid ambiguous formulations.
3. Post-grant problems
Even after the patent has been granted, a bad translation can still cause problems. In particular, when translating the claims, care must be taken to ensure that the translated claims cover exactly the same scope of protection as the claims in the original. If a translator makes an unfavorable choice of words when translating the claims and chooses a term that reduces the scope of the claims, your patent will only be valid for that reduced scope. In the worst case, they then spent a lot of money on a patent that does not cover the same scope as the original application.
When translating the claims, our patent translators pay particular attention to ensuring that the translation has the same scope as the original application.
Technical knowledge is essential for the translation of patents. All of our in-house patent translators have many years of experience in patent translation and in-depth knowledge of their subject area. Because LST emerged from the former translation department of the patent and law firm LST we can look back on more than 100 years of experience in the field of commercial legal protection. When you entrust us with your patent translation, you can be sure that it will be done by a professional with the necessary technical understanding.
The importance of using a specialized patent translator
When it comes to patent translation, accuracy is paramount. Even minor errors or misunderstandings in the translation can have significant legal and financial consequences. This is why it is essential to use a specialized patent translator who has expert knowledge of the source and target languages and a deep understanding of the technical subject matter.
Patent translation requires high expertise and precision, and it is not a task that can be taken lightly. A patent translator must be proficient in the languages involved and have a thorough understanding of the technical concepts and terminology used in the patent application. This requires significant experience and specialized knowledge, which can only be gained through years of training and practice.
Using a specialized patent translator can help ensure that your patent application is accurately translated and correctly conveyed to patent examiners in the target country. This can help increase your chances of obtaining a patent and can also help you avoid costly mistakes and legal disputes.
At our translation agency, we understand the importance of using specialized patent translators, and we have a team of experienced and knowledgeable translators who can handle even the most complex patent translations. With our expertise and attention to detail, you can rest assured that your patent application will be accurately translated and effectively communicated to patent examiners in the target country.
If you are interested in our services and want to know more, you can always contact no.1 translation agency in UK . We would be happy to provide you with a free offer or provide further information without obligation.
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