What is the primary pricing model for TIPO services?

TIPO operates on a fee-for-service model, where specific fees are charged for each IP-related action, such as filing an application, requesting examination, or renewing a registration. There are no subscription plans or tiered access like commercial software.

Are there any free services or a 'free tier' offered by TIPO?

Yes, TIPO provides free public access to its online IP databases and search tools for patents, trademarks, and copyrights. This allows users to conduct searches and access legal information without charge, but any official processing still incurs fees.

How much does it cost to file a patent application with TIPO?

The cost of a patent application at TIPO varies by patent type (invention, utility model, design) and includes an initial application fee, an examination fee (which depends on the number of claims), and a certificate fee upon grant. Invention patents typically range from NT$15,000 to NT$50,000+ for the initial filing and grant stages, excluding ongoing annuity fees.

What are the fees for registering a trademark in Taiwan?

Trademark registration fees at TIPO include an application fee per class of goods/services (e.g., NT$3,000 for one class) and a registration fee upon approval (e.g., NT$2,500). The total initial cost for one class is typically around NT$5,500.

Are there ongoing costs after my patent or trademark is granted?

Yes, both patents and trademarks require ongoing payments to maintain their validity. Patents require annual annuity fees, which typically increase over the patent's lifespan. Trademarks require renewal fees every ten years.

Where can I find the official and most current TIPO fee schedule?

The official and most current TIPO fee schedule is available on the Taiwan Intellectual Property Office's English website, typically in a section dedicated to fees or regulations. It is recommended to consult this source directly for precise and up-to-date figures.

Does TIPO offer discounted fees for small entities or individuals?

TIPO's fee structure generally applies uniformly to all applicants. While some IP offices globally offer fee reductions for small entities, universities, or individuals, TIPO's public fee schedules do not typically differentiate based on applicant size for standard services. Always check the latest official regulations for any potential exceptions.

TIPO Pricing: Application, Examination, and Maintenance Fees (2026)

Pricing overview

The Taiwan Intellectual Property Office (TIPO) operates as a government agency, and its pricing model is based on a fee-for-service structure for specific intellectual property (IP) actions. Unlike commercial software or API providers, TIPO does not offer subscription plans or tiered access to its core functions. Instead, fees are charged for distinct services such as filing an application, requesting an examination, or maintaining an existing IP right. These fees are established by official regulations and are subject to periodic review and adjustment by the Taiwanese government.

The overall cost of securing and maintaining an IP right through TIPO depends on several factors:

Type of IP: Patents, trademarks, and copyrights each have distinct fee schedules. Patents, for example, typically involve higher fees due to the complexity of examination.
Application Stage: Fees are often levied at different stages of the application process, including initial filing, substantive examination, and grant.
Maintenance: For patents and trademarks, annual or periodic renewal fees are required to keep the IP right in force.
Number of Claims/Classes: For patents, the number of claims can influence examination fees. For trademarks, the number of goods and services classes applied for directly impacts the filing fee.
Expedited Processing: In some cases, options for expedited examination may be available for an additional fee.

TIPO's official website provides detailed fee schedules for all services, which are the authoritative source for current pricing information. For instance, the TIPO fee schedule for general IP services outlines charges for patents, trademarks, and other related processes.

Plans and tiers

TIPO does not offer 'plans' or 'tiers' in the commercial sense, as it is a regulatory body rather than a service provider with subscription models. Instead, its pricing is structured around distinct IP services, each with its own specific fee. The closest approximation to 'tiers' would be the different categories of IP rights and the various stages within their lifecycle, each incurring a separate charge. For example, the fees for a utility model patent differ from those for an invention patent, reflecting varying examination complexities and legal protections.

The following table illustrates typical fee categories for major IP types, based on information available from TIPO's official fee regulations:

Service Category	Typical Fee Type	Key Factors Influencing Cost	Best For
Patent Application	Application fee, Examination fee, Certificate fee, Annuity fees	Type of patent (invention, utility model, design), number of claims, duration	Protecting novel technical inventions, product designs
Trademark Registration	Application fee, Registration fee, Renewal fees	Number of goods/services classes, duration (10 years, renewable)	Protecting brand names, logos, slogans
Copyright Registration	Registration fee (if applicable, often voluntary and less common than patent/trademark)	Type of work (literary, artistic, software), specific registration requirements	Establishing public record of creative works
Other IP Services	Recordal of assignment/license, opposition/invalidation proceedings, appeal fees	Complexity of legal action, specific request type	Managing IP portfolio, resolving disputes

It is important to note that these are broad categories, and each service has a detailed breakdown of specific charges. For instance, a patent application for an invention will incur an initial application fee, followed by a substantive examination fee once requested, and then annual annuity fees after grant. These fees accumulate over the lifespan of the patent. Similarly, trademark fees include an initial application fee and subsequent renewal fees every ten years. Understanding these distinct charges is crucial for budgeting IP protection in Taiwan.

Free tier and limits

TIPO, as a governmental intellectual property office, provides a 'free tier' equivalent in the form of public access to its extensive IP databases and search tools. These resources allow individuals and businesses to conduct preliminary searches for existing patents, trademarks, and other IP rights without incurring any direct transactional fees. This free access is critical for due diligence, novelty searches, and competitive analysis before filing an application.

Patent Search System: Users can search for granted patents and published patent applications based on keywords, applicants, inventors, and classification codes. This helps in assessing patentability and avoiding infringement.
Trademark Search System: This allows searching for registered trademarks and pending applications, essential for determining the availability of a brand name or logo.
Copyright Registration Information: While copyright protection is automatic upon creation, TIPO's system may offer information on voluntarily registered copyrights.
Legal Resources: Access to IP laws, regulations, and guidelines is also freely available on the TIPO website, providing essential information for applicants and legal professionals.

The primary limit of this 'free tier' is that it only covers information access and basic search functionalities. Any action that requires official processing by TIPO, such as submitting an application, requesting an examination, or recording a change in ownership, will incur the applicable government fees. There are no usage limits on the search systems themselves, meaning users can perform as many searches as needed without charge. However, the data retrieved is generally limited to public record information and does not include proprietary or confidential details of pending applications unless they have been officially published.

This approach aligns with similar IP offices worldwide, such as the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) public search tools, which also offer free access to their respective patent and trademark databases for public benefit.

Real-world cost examples

Understanding the total cost of IP protection through TIPO requires considering all fees across the lifecycle of the IP right. Here are illustrative examples based on typical scenarios, using approximate New Taiwan Dollar (NT$) figures and their US Dollar (US$) equivalents (conversion rate approximate as of 2026-05-29, NT$1 = US$0.0305).

Example 1: Filing and Granting an Invention Patent

An invention patent typically involves several stages, each with associated fees:

Application Filing Fee: NT$3,500 (approx. US$107)
Substantive Examination Request Fee: NT$7,000 (approx. US$214) for the first 10 claims, plus NT$800 (approx. US$24) for each additional claim over 10. (Assume 15 claims for this example: NT$7,000 + 5 * NT$800 = NT$11,000 / US$336).
Certificate Fee (upon grant): NT$1,000 (approx. US$30)
First Year Annuity Fee (upon grant): NT$2,500 (approx. US$76)

Total Initial Cost (Application to First Year Grant): NT$3,500 + NT$11,000 + NT$1,000 + NT$2,500 = NT$18,000 (approx. US$550). This does not include potential legal professional fees if an agent is used, which can add significantly to the overall expense, often ranging from NT$30,000 to NT$100,000+ depending on complexity.

Example 2: Registering a Trademark for One Class of Goods/Services

Trademark registration is generally simpler in terms of fee structure:

Application Filing Fee (one class): NT$3,000 (approx. US$91). An additional NT$3,000 is charged for each subsequent class.
Registration Fee (upon approval): NT$2,500 (approx. US$76)

Total Initial Cost (Application to Registration for one class): NT$3,000 + NT$2,500 = NT$5,500 (approx. US$167). This trademark protection lasts for 10 years, after which renewal fees would apply. Renewal fees for trademarks are typically NT$4,000 (approx. US$122) for the first class and NT$4,000 for each additional class.

Example 3: Maintaining an Invention Patent for 5 Years

After the initial grant, patents require annual annuity payments to remain in force. The fees typically increase over time:

Year 1: NT$2,500 (approx. US$76) (included in Example 1)
Year 2: NT$2,500 (approx. US$76)
Year 3: NT$2,500 (approx. US$76)
Year 4: NT$5,000 (approx. US$152)
Year 5: NT$8,000 (approx. US$244)

Total Annuity Fees for Years 1-5: NT$2,500 + NT$2,500 + NT$2,500 + NT$5,000 + NT$8,000 = NT$20,500 (approx. US$628).

These examples highlight that while individual fees might seem modest, the cumulative cost of obtaining and maintaining IP rights, especially patents, can be substantial over their full term. It is always advisable to consult the most current TIPO fee schedule for precise figures, as they are subject to change.

How the pricing compares

Comparing TIPO's pricing with alternative intellectual property offices, such as the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) or the European Patent Office (EPO), reveals differences in fee structures, currency, and the overall economic context of the respective jurisdictions. While direct comparisons are complex due to varying legal systems and service offerings, some general observations can be made.

Currency and Economic Context: TIPO fees are denominated in New Taiwan Dollars (NT$). When converted to major currencies like USD or EUR, they often appear competitive, particularly for smaller entities or individual inventors. However, the perceived cost also depends on the applicant's home currency and economic environment.
Patent Application Fees: TIPO's initial application and examination fees for patents, as seen in the examples, are generally lower than those of major international offices like the USPTO fee schedule for patents or the EPO. For instance, a basic utility patent application fee at the USPTO can range from US$80 to US$320 for small and large entities respectively, not including examination or issue fees, which add significantly more. EPO fees can be substantially higher, reflecting a broader regional protection.
Maintenance/Annuity Fees: Similar to application fees, TIPO's annuity fees for patents tend to be lower in the initial years compared to the USPTO or EPO. However, all offices implement increasing annuity fees over time to encourage the abandonment of less commercially viable patents.
Trademark Registration Fees: TIPO's trademark application fees per class are generally comparable to or slightly lower than those of the USPTO (e.g., US$250-$350 per class at USPTO depending on filing method). The EPO also offers a consolidated trademark system (EUIPO) with different fee tiers for multiple classes, often resulting in higher overall costs for broader protection across the EU.
Scope of Protection: A key difference is the geographical scope. TIPO fees cover IP protection exclusively within Taiwan. To secure international protection, applicants must pursue separate applications in other jurisdictions (e.g., via the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) for patents or the Madrid System for trademarks, which have their own fee structures from organizations like WIPO's PCT fees) or file directly with national/regional offices like the USPTO or EPO. This means that while TIPO's individual fees might be lower, the cumulative cost for global protection can be substantial.
Third-Party Costs: It is critical to remember that official government fees are only one component of the total cost. Professional fees for patent attorneys or trademark agents, translation costs, and search services can add significantly to the overall expense, often surpassing the official fees, regardless of the IP office chosen.

In summary, TIPO offers a cost-effective pathway for securing intellectual property rights specifically within Taiwan, particularly when compared to the official fees of larger international IP offices. However, applicants seeking broader geographical protection will face additional costs associated with filing and maintaining IP in multiple jurisdictions.