Patent Translation Services

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is a patent translation and why is it important?

  Every country operates under its own patent system. Therefore, if you wish to obtain exclusive protection rights in multiple countries, you must file an application in each country where you seek to safeguard your invention.
  It is thus crucial to have your patent specification and all necessary paperwork translated into the official language of the specific countries where you intend to seek protection.
  
    An expert patent translation involves translating patent-related documents, including patent specifications, notices, legal correspondence, and other necessary documents for the patent application and filing process.
  
  By partnering with a professional translation company such as Seprotec, businesses and law firms can additionally access skilled translators in various languages globally to safeguard their intellectual property effectively. Moreover, advanced language technology tools with translation memory features are commonly used to expedite the translation and localization process.

• How much does it cost to translate a patent?

  When it comes to translating a patent, the cost can vary depending on the translation workflow, the respective subject field, the language combinations, and the translation quality required.
  The basis for calculating patent translation costs is generally a price per source word.
  In order to streamline the translation process and save costs Computer Assisted Translation (CAT) tools are used. This specialized language technology is able to create and maintain a translation memory and can also recognize repetitions within the text. Using this technology we were able to realize average cost savings of over 20% for our customers.
  
  If you would like to find out the price for a specific patent, trademark, or design, please contact us and we will provide you with a free, non-binding quote.

• Is it recommendable to use machine translation (MT) for translating patents?

  When it comes to intellectual property, accuracy is key. Using MT for patent and trademarks can be risky as it may not provide the level of precision required to protect your IP assets internationally. Professional patent translators with experience in the field are thus crucial for ensuring quality translations for patent filing and patent litigation procedures.
  
  But MT is at the forefront in the field of industrial property rights now. Patent and trademark offices such as the European Patent Office (EPO) are already working on translation automation solutions for information purposes and with no legal effect.
  
  In the future, we can therefore expect higher quality training materials and better trained MT engines, which will make MT more interesting for patent documents.
  
  If you would like to know how Language Technology and AI solutions can already help you with your multilingual content needs today, feel free to contact us for an individual consulting.

• What qualifications do patent translators have?

  Patent translators usually have a background in a linguistic field and in international or patent law and have relevant experience in IP translation. Most have acquired their specialist knowledge in patent law firms or translation agencies and later become self-employed as freelancers.
  
  This combination of theoretical and practical knowledge is crucial for producing high-quality and accurate translations. The translation of a biochemical patent application, for example, requires a deep understanding of the subject area and the relevant terminology. Many translators therefore have an additional qualification or a degree in a relevant technical or life science field in order to specialize in a particular area.