4 key points for obtaining a good patent translation

A patent filed in a single country protects the invention in that country only. In today's world, if you want to expand your business abroad and adequately protect your rights internationally, it is essential to translate your patents.

Here are 4 key factors to consider when choosing a translation agency to ensure that your patent translations are of high quality.

1. Hire a translation agency with experience in patent translation.

In 2020, the medical technology sector was the most active in terms of the number of patents filed with the European Patent Office (EPO), with 14,295 patents filed, representing a 2.6% increase from 2019.

This clearly shows that patent translation requires appropriate scientific knowledge and familiarity when drafting this type of documentation.

These are advanced skills that make patent translation a specialised field of translation, as it requires strict compliance with standards and an excellent command of terminology.

Make sure that the translation company employs translators specialised in patent translation, has obtained the necessary quality certifications (ISO 9001) and complies with the specific quality standards for translation companies (ISO 17100).

2. Ensure that your patent translations align with the original text.

A high-quality patent translation avoids dangerous pitfalls such as:

• Insufficient or unclear descriptions of the invention;
• Obvious translation errors that undermine the seriousness of the patent application process;
• Translations too similar to already patented inventions (plagiarism).

Imagine being denied a patent in another country just because you submitted a poor-quality translation that distorts the original idea of your invention. You don't even want to begin to imagine it. Make sure that the delivered work is a complete and correct translation of your patent, and that it meets the requirements of the target country. 

Each country has its own competent authority. For example, you can find out how to register a patent in Spain at the Spanish Patent and Trademark Office (OEPM), while in the United States it is the Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) that manages all applications.

3. Create a glossary and ensure that the terminology is applied in the translation of your patent.

As I mentioned earlier, patent applications use terminology specific to the invention. It is important to use a terminological reference to ensure that the translation is correct and consistent.

Whenever possible, a specific glossary should be used for each patent. Similar documents may have already been translated in the past, so it is advisable to provide these documents to translators. This way they can ensure the correct use of terminology and count on the help of translation memories in Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT) tools.

4. Obtain a good translation of your patents while minimising costs.

Although there is no way to file a patent that is valid worldwide, there are ways to reduce translation costs.

A patent granted by the European Patent Office allows for the acquisition of intellectual property in several European countries at the same time (in 38 member states as of 1 October 2019).

This means that the total cost of a patent valid in 12 countries, which previously stood at around €30,000, is now reduced to just €5,000, saving you an impressive €25,000!

This system also has the advantage of granting subsidies to individuals and legal entities to help them finance translation costs.