How Much Does It Cost to Patent a Product in Colombia?
In Colombia, in 2026, the cost of patenting a product or process before the Superintendencia de Industria y Comercio - SIC is not based on a single fee. The total cost depends on the type of protection sought and the stages of the application process. At a minimum, applicants should consider the official filing and patentability examination fees. Professional fees may also apply and, if the patent is granted, maintenance fees must be paid during the term of protection.
How much does it cost to patent a product in Colombia?
The main official fees applicable to an invention patent or utility model patent application are as follows:
a. SIC Fees for Patent Application (Online): USD 36 (aprox.).
b. Patentability Examination for Invention Patent (Online): USD 556 (aprox.).
c. SIC Fees for Utility Model Patent Application (Online): USD 32 (aprox.).
d. Patentability Examination for Utility Model (Online): USD 314 (aprox.).
Official fees are established by the SIC and may change from year to year.
Professional fees
In addition to the official fees, applicants may incur fees for a patent attorney or other professional specializing in patent matters. These fees depend, among other factors, on the technical complexity of the invention, the work required to prepare the specification and claims, the type of protection sought, and the actions that may be required throughout the prosecution of the application.
Accordingly, the total cost of obtaining patent protection should not be calculated solely by reference to the initial filing fee. Proper preparation of the application is particularly important because the specification and claims define the technical scope of the protection sought.
Patent maintenance fees
Once a patent has been granted, the applicable maintenance fees or annuities must also be considered in order to keep the patent in force throughout its term of protection. It is therefore important to distinguish between the cost of prosecuting a patent application and the subsequent cost of maintaining the granted patent in force.
What is an invention patent?
An invention patent is an industrial property right granted by the Superintendencia de Industria y Comercio - SIC for a product or process invention that satisfies the legal requirements for patentability.
In Colombia, an invention patent is granted for a term of twenty (20) years from the filing date of the application. This term is not renewable. During the patent term, the patent holder is entitled to prevent third parties, without authorization, from carrying out certain acts of exploitation in relation to the protected invention.
Requirements for obtaining an invention patent
For an invention to qualify for patent protection, it must satisfy three fundamental requirements:
- Novelty: the invention must not form part of the prior art; in other words, it must not previously have been made available to the public by means of a written or oral description, use, commercialization or any other means.
- Inventive step: the invention must not be obvious or evident to a person skilled in the relevant art having regard to the existing prior art.
- Industrial applicability: the invention must be capable of being made or used in some kind of industry.
What is a utility model patent?
A utility model protects a new form, configuration or arrangement of elements of an artifact, tool, instrument, mechanism or other object, or any part thereof, that enables improved or different operation, use or manufacture, or provides the object with a utility, advantage or technical effect that it did not previously possess.
A utility model patent is granted for a term of ten (10) years from the filing date of the application. This term is likewise not renewable.
The requirements applicable to this form of protection are less stringent than those applicable to invention patents. In particular, the configuration must be new and capable of industrial application.
What is the procedure for patenting a product or process?
A patent application is an administrative proceeding conducted before the Superintendencia de Industria y Comercio - SIC. Among other stages, it includes the filing of the application, formal examination, publication, the opportunity for third parties to file oppositions, the request and payment for substantive examination, the patentability examination, and the SIC's final decision. Where legally available, an appeal may also be filed against the corresponding decision.
The particular requirements, procedural stages and strategy will depend on whether protection is sought as an invention patent or a utility model patent, as well as on the technical characteristics of the invention.
How long does the patent process take?
The duration of the patent process depends on the type of protection sought and the particular circumstances of each application. The SIC currently indicates a reference processing time of 36 months for an invention patent and 18 months for a utility model patent.
Based on our professional experience, the prosecution of an invention patent application generally takes approximately 24 to 36 months. This is a practical estimate rather than a legally guaranteed timeframe, as the duration may vary depending on the technical complexity of the invention, actions taken by the applicant, observations raised during examination, any third-party oppositions, and the particular circumstances of each case.
Should a prior art search be conducted?
Before filing a patent application, it is advisable to conduct a prior art search. Its purpose is to identify relevant technical disclosures and provide an initial assessment of the potential patentability of the invention before incurring the costs associated with preparing and filing the application.
A prior art search does not guarantee that a patent will be granted, as the patentability determination is made by the SIC following the relevant examination. Nevertheless, it is an important tool for making a better-informed decision before commencing the patent application process.
How is the total cost of a patent calculated?
To establish a realistic budget, depending on the circumstances, consideration should be given to the official SIC fees, the patentability examination, the prior art search, the technical and legal preparation of the application, professional fees, and subsequent maintenance fees. Accordingly, there is no single amount that represents the total cost of every patent application.
The actual cost will depend primarily on whether protection is sought through an invention patent or a utility model patent, as well as on the technical and legal complexity of the development to be protected.
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