PRICE LIST
Fixed prices for every step.
The professional fees of F. Chau & Associates, LLC (Chau IP Law) for patent services through Tao IP. Every price is fixed. Your engagement letter covers the first item you choose and every later service on this list, at the price shown when you ask for it.
Effective October 20, 2026
Where to start
Choose one to begin. Each starts under the same engagement letter.
| Service | Price | How it is paid | What it covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prior art search | $300 | Paid at engagement. | A search of US and worldwide patents, published applications and technical literature for one invention. A written report with the closest references and an overlap map, within 2 business days. |
| Provisional | $2,500 | Paid at engagement. | A prior art check by your attorney before drafting. Provisional drafted and filed. Drawings. Credited in full to any plan within 12 months. |
| Solo | $4,000 | $1,000 at start · $3,000 at nonprovisional filing. Office actions are extra: $1,000 per response, billed per step. | Provisional, with a prior art check by your attorney. Nonprovisional drafted and filed. Drawings. Docketing and platform. Billed per step, not in the $4,000: office action response $1,000, examiner interview $750, RCE $2,500. |
| Standard | $12,000 | $2,500 at start · $9,500 at nonprovisional filing. Office actions are extra, billed per step. | Provisional and nonprovisional. Docketing and platform. Billed per step, not in the $12,000: office action response $2,500, examiner interview $750, RCE $2,500. |
| Protected | $21,000 | $2,500 at start · $11,000 at nonprovisional filing · $7,500 at first office action response | Provisional and nonprovisional. Up to 4 office action responses. 2 examiner interviews. 1 RCE. Docketing and platform. If no claim is allowed within scope: choose a free RCE refile or a 60% refund of professional fees. |
| Guaranteed | $23,000 | $2,500 at start · $12,000 at nonprovisional filing · $8,500 at first office action response | Provisional and nonprovisional. Up to 4 office action responses. 2 examiner interviews. 2 RCEs. Docketing and platform. If no claim is allowed within scope: a free refile first, then 100% of professional fees back. |
After filing, per step
Billed when you approve the step in writing. Protected and Guaranteed include office action responses, interviews and RCEs up to the limits of the plan.
| Step | Standard | Solo | Protected and Guaranteed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Office action response | $2,500 | $1,000 | Included up to the plan limit |
| Examiner interview | $750 | $750 | Included up to the plan limit |
| Request for continued examination (RCE) | $2,500 | $2,500 | Included up to the plan limit |
Moving to the next step
- After a prior art search: choose any plan above when you are ready. No new engagement letter.
- After a provisional: the $2,500 provisional fee is credited in full to any plan you choose within 12 months.
- Ask in writing, in the portal or by email. Your attorney confirms the step and its price before work starts.
Government fees, foreign agent fees and translation are billed at cost.
A change to this list applies only to services requested after the change.
Work not on this list is quoted in writing and fixed before it starts.