Austin, TX Utility Patent Attorney

Why Work With Bold Patents in Austin, TX?

At Bold Patents, we have spent decades in patent law. For years, we have supported small businesses, independent inventors, and new start-ups in Austin as they secure new utility patents. We have substantial experience in the industries relevant to the city and know how utility patent law affects the technologies in those sectors.

Our utility patent attorneys have an in-depth understanding of patent law and can help you draft a patent application that is likely to be successful and offers comprehensive protection. When you create a bold invention, we can help you patent it.

The Industries That Make Up Austin

Austin is home to many innovative industries that foster the creation of new technologies and other inventions, including industries like:

• Emerging technology
• Healthcare and medical technology
• Pharmaceuticals
• Gaming
• Retail and e-commerce

There are many elements in the city pushing these industries forward, including:

• The University of Texas – Austin (UT Austin). The university brings new talent to Austin and helps students and faculty further their innovative goals. The Circuit Research Lab at UT Austin has 34 patents. Many aspects of UT Austin help further the development of new ideas to benefit the city’s industries.
• Local incubators and accelerators. By supporting start-ups and entrepreneurs, these organizations help create new and innovative small businesses that are revolutionizing industries. The new chip accelerator is responsible for 1,277 investments in Austin.
• City small business initiatives. From support offered by the Small Business Division in the city’s Economic Development Department to the Texas Small Business Credit Initiative, many forms of aid are offered by the local and state governments to small businesses. Austin’s small business programs support over 4,500 entrepreneurs. This helps further innovation.
• Big companies. Many major tech companies are headquartered in Austin, including Dell, Intel, National Instruments, and others. Innovative workforces, as well as each company’s research and development branches, further industry innovation.

Understanding Utility Patents

A utility patent is a type of patent meant to protect:

• A machine
• A process
• A manufactured article
• Matter composition

Utility patents are the most frequently filed-for and the most frequently issued type of patent. It protects the function of your invention, rather than its appearance. Utility patents can be something new or an improvement on an existing invention. Like any kind of patent, the invention must also be innovative, useful, and not derivative.

Utility patents last for 20 years if all maintenance fees are paid. During this period, you can prevent others from selling, using, or making your invention, giving you a substantial competitive edge in the marketplace.

Resources Offered to Innovators Creating Utility Patents

Inventors of utility patents often need significant development and refinement of their ideas before they are ready to file for a patent. There are many resources that can support this process, including:

• U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) resources, including the Patent and Trademark Resource Center at the UT Austin McKinney Engineering Library, and the USPTO Southwest Regional Office in Dallas
• Incubators and accelerators, like UT Austin’s Austin Technology Incubator, Capital Factory, and International Accelerator
• Other UT resources, like technology, facilities, and financial support

Provisional and Nonprovisional Patent Applications

Utility patents have the option to file a provisional patent prior to filing a nonprovisional patent. If you have created an invention but still need time to refine and develop it for a patent application, you may be able to file a provisional application.

Within the next 12 months, you can file your utility patent application, and it will have the filing date of the provisional application. This can speed up the process a lot, which is helpful since the average time it takes for a USPTO decision is 30.8 months as of August 2025.

Find Your Industry’s Patent Requirements

Get targeted patent guidance for your specific industry. Click on your industry below to discover specialized patent requirements, strategic approaches, and how our attorneys can transform your ideas into protected assets.

FAQs

What Is the Average Cost of an Austin Utility Patent?

The average cost of a utility patent will mostly depend on the USPTO fees for your size of entity and whether you work with an attorney. Filing a utility patent application ranges from $70 to $350, as of September 1, 2025. A utility patent search costs between $154 and $770. The examination fee ranges from $176 to $880, and the issuance fee is between $258 and $1,290. Utility patents also have maintenance fees during their lifetime.

Is a Utility Patent Worth It in Austin?

Securing a utility patent can be worth it because it gives you the legal right to prevent other individuals and entities from using, making, selling, or importing the thing you created. You can take legal action against those who infringe on your rights. Securing a patent helps you protect your rights as you enter into licensing agreements, such as those secured through technology transfers at UT Austin.

How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Lawyer to File a Patent in Austin?

The cost of a lawyer to help you file a patent in Austin will depend on factors like their experience and how complex your utility patent is. As a city and hub of innovation, Austin can also lead to higher prices for attorneys. However, working with a local Austin attorney is crucial, as they understand the unique industries in the area, like healthcare, gaming, and major technologies, and how patent law impacts those industries.

Are Utility Patents Hard to Get in Austin?

Utility patents can be difficult to secure because they must meet specific and complex requirements to be considered new, innovative, and non-obvious. Utility patents are also hard to get because they are the most commonly filed-for type of patent. When you work with an attorney in Austin, you are much more likely to increase your chances of success.

Hire a Utility Patent Attorney in Austin

When you need a skilled attorney to file for a utility patent, contact Bold Patents today.

Bold Patents J.D. Houvener, Esq., MBA, P.E.

Principal Patent Attorney, Bold Patents