Our Professional Patent Translation Service in London

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Protecting your intellectual property in all countries across the globe is important. That’s how our patent translation services will help. We guarantee that your patent claims are handled by our expert translation teams, all with relevant knowledge in the field of IP services. Our patents translation service can help you ensure IP protection in any field – engineering, medicine, technology, and more. Whatever your company focuses on, our language services can help keep your IP safe.

Our patents translation services can help whether your IP services filing process is in the application stage, or whether you’re fighting a patent case. No matter what area you specialise in, we can provide expertly skilled translators who can clearly and effectively translate any kind of patent documentation. This means you can get help from an expert translator quickly. We know how important filing deadlines are, so we even have an express patent translation service that can help get your translation finished and delivered to you within a day.

The translation expertise of the Espresso Translations team in London is ideally placed to help those wishing to protect their intellectual property abroad. High-quality translations of patent applications and IP-related documents are essential when filing in another country. 

We ensure accuracy and precision by only using translators who have your target language as their mother-tongue. These professionals are also highly experienced in legal translations as well as qualified in the area to which your patent relates. For example, an aerospace engineering patent translation from English to French will be conducted by a French native speaker who is fluent in English and has aerospace engineering experience and significant legal knowledge.  

All patent translations will be legally compliant in the target country and be accompanied by the required certification. Espresso Translations operates with the strictest confidentiality in relation to sensitive documents and information so you can rest assured that your data is secure. 

Patent protection is a highly specialised area and the paperwork is full of legal terminology as well as specialist language. We pride ourselves on our ability to provide the legal, technical and industry specific services for all your patent translation needs. 

Our global team of translators allows us to translate patent applications into multiple languages from a single point of contact, saving you time and money. Each translation goes through several rounds of quality control checks to ensure it is error free, compliant with required regulatory standards and ready for submission. 

Here’s a table outlining key aspects of a Patent Translation Service:

Patent Type	Specify the type of patent (e.g., utility patent, design patent, etc.)	Examples: Utility patent, Design patent, Plant patent
Languages	Source language and target language	Examples: German → English, English → Japanese
Technical Terminology	Ensure accurate translation of technical and scientific terms specific to the patent’s field	Use of specialized glossaries and terminology databases related to the industry
Accuracy	Ensure precision in translating descriptions, claims, and legal specifications	Quality control processes with multiple rounds of review
Confidentiality	Guarantee the confidentiality of the patent content during and after translation	Use of non-disclosure agreements, secure data handling, and restricted access
Legal Compliance	Ensure the translation adheres to the legal and regulatory standards of the target country	Consultation with patent attorneys to ensure compliance with local patent office requirements
Patent Terminology Consistency	Maintain consistent terminology throughout the patent document	Regular consistency checks against glossaries and industry standards
CAT Tools Used	Translation tools to ensure consistency, accuracy, and efficiency	Examples: SDL Trados, MemoQ, or specialized patent translation software
Field Expertise	Involvement of translators with expertise in the relevant technical field (e.g., biotechnology, IT)	Selection of translators with specific backgrounds in the patent’s technical domain
Certification	Provision of certified translations if required for official submissions	Offering certification for translated patents as required by the relevant patent office or legal entity
Final Quality Check	Thorough review and quality assurance by a team of translators, proofreaders, and legal experts	Ensures the document is complete, accurate, and ready for submission to patent authorities

What is a patent?

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A patent is a document that provides protection for an invention or product for a set amount of time, typically 20 years. There are other types of intellectual property protection but a patent applies to how something works. 

For an invention to be granted a patent, it must be:

• New and not previously publicly available anywhere in the world, including descriptions in publications
• Inventive and not an obvious change from an already existing item or process
• An item that can be used, a process or method 

Applying for a patent in the UK is done through the Intellectual Property Office (IPO). You must prepare detailed documents about your invention including how it works and file these with the IPO. You cannot patent just an idea. 

The IPO will carry out checks including whether what you have invented is new or substantively different from any prior art. The term prior art refers to any evidence that your product, process or method was publicly known or available before the date of your patent filing. 

The IPO search can take about 18 months, after which they will publish your patent application. A substantive examination of your application will then be done by the IPO to decide on the patentability of your invention. 

As the patent filing process is very technical and legally complex, you will need a chartered patent attorney. They will conduct a global patent search to make sure no one else has protected your idea in the past or in another country. This will let you know if it’s possible to proceed with the patent filing.

Once you have filed your patent, you will get a receipt which allows you to use the phrase ‘patent pending’. This is not the same as the patent being granted, which can take from three to five years. But in the meantime your invention is legally protected against being copied, sold, exported or used except by you. If your patent is granted you will get a certificate and you must conduct an annual renewal.

The patent you receive in the UK is not valid in other countries. For international patent filing, you will need a World Intellectual Property Organization or WIPO application which operates under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT). This allows you to protect your intellectual property (IP) in 193 countries.

What are patent translation services?

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The patent process is complex, protracted and all administrative tasks associated with it have to be carried out with meticulous care. The same is required for the patent translation process. Any mistake could create huge consequences for the patent owner. This is why Espresso Translations offers professional services of the highest quality for every patent translation. 

All documents which form part of the decision-making, drafting and foreign filing will need to be translated. However, the exact nature of that paperwork will depend on the individual patent office where the patent is filed and examined. 

PCT applications must be translated into one of the ten official languages under the treaty. These are Arabic, Chinese, English, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian or Spanish. Applications through the European Patent Office must be in English, German or French. However, once the patent is granted, other countries may require translations into their own national language. 

The team of experienced translators at Espresso Translations works in more than 150 languages. Many of these qualified professionals are patent specialists who understand the need for precise and accurate translation of patent documentation.

Official patent translations

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Every patent translation will need official certification. However, the exact type may depend on the country in which the patent is being filed or the receiving authority. Espresso Translations offers certified translations for all official documents including patents. 

A statement of truth is attached to the translation which attests to its true and accurate nature as a representation of the original document. The statement of truth is signed and stamped by the translator. Certified translations are accepted by all UK authorities including HM Courts & Tribunals. Most other common law countries also accept certified translations. 

Sworn translations may be required in some civil law countries such as Spain, Italy and The Netherlands. These countries may require a translation of the full text of the patent or just the patent claim. The sworn translator takes the completed translation and swears an oath in front of a court or public official that the translated document is a true and accurate replication of the source document. An affidavit is attached to the translated document and this confers the same legal status on the translation as the original. The documents must remain attached to be considered the legal equivalent of the source document. If any parts are lost or detached, the sworn translation loses its legal status. 

Some authorities may ask for a notarised translation. This involves a notary public signing the translation to confirm the identity of the translator and this does not confirm the accuracy or precision of the translated document. Finally, a legalised or apostille translation is accepted for official documents by all countries who are signatories of the Hague Convention. The translation is accompanied by an apostille certificate, which in many cases may also need to be translated.

When do you need patent translating services?

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When filing a patent abroad, you will need experienced translating services to ensure that the translated version is exactly the same as the original patent document. This is essential for the patent to be protected in that foreign country. Any mistranslation can lead to:

• Rejection of the patent application 
• Protection levels for the patent being inconsistent across different jurisdictions
• Patent litigation or law suits against the patent owner 
• Financial loss for the patent owner
• Loss of validation of the patent
• Collapse of investor relations

You may also need to have your patent translated if you are facing litigation against your patent in another country. 

The regulations and requirements for patent applications differs according to the country in which you are applying for protection. A translation company experienced in international patent translation is essential for a successful application. Espresso Translations understand the formatting requirements, filing deadlines and details of IP law in each country so that we can provide the high quality service your patent translation needs and deserves. 

What are the different types of patents translated?

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Depending on the stage of the patent application there are various types of patent translations, each with their own purpose.

Patent Validation

For a European patent to be validated in each member state, it must be translated into the official language of that country. This ensures that the patent document can be enforced and is accessible within the legal system of that country. 

The requirements vary between different countries regarding the specific nature of the translation. Some countries such as the UK, France, Germany, Ireland, Monaco and Luxembourg do not require the patent to be translated. On the other hand, states such as Spain, Greece, Poland and several others want the full text to be translated into their language. Others like Norway, Slovenia and Iceland just need a translation of the patent claim. 

Patent Applications

In order for your patent to be granted in a foreign country, it will be necessary to translate all the documents associated with your application. This includes a professional technical translation of the specifications, drawings, claims and explanations about how the invention works. 

Patent Filing 

A patent filing is when the documents relating to the invention are submitted to the relevant Intellectual Property Office and the fee paid for the processing of the application. The translation of the filing is used as an official record of the patent in that particular country. 

Patent Litigation

The translation of patents will be necessary if you are facing foreign prosecution in relation to your patent rights or are challenging someone else’s patent abroad. As the translated documents will be used as legal evidence, it is imperative that they are done by an expert patent translator. Any error in the translation could have serious repercussions for either party in litigation.

Informational Patent Translation

A translation of the contents of a patent which has already been filed can be used by companies to monitor competitors or to prevent any potential infringement of a patent. While the content of this type of translation doesn’t have to be as precise as a legal document, it should still be as detailed and accurate as possible.

Template for certified patents translation services

How do you translate a patent?

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Patent and IP translations are done in much the same way as other technical or legal documents. However, a patent is a combination of the two and requires the expertise, fluency and attention to detail that only our professional translation service provides. 

In the first instance you will complete the contact form on our website and upload your file. Within an hour, you will receive a free quote. On acceptance of the quote, your file will be sent to the most appropriate translator for your patent. This means if your invention is a biotechnology product, we will send the work to a translator with biotech experience. 

All of our translators are native speakers of your target language and fluent in the source language. Once the translation is complete, it will be sent to a second linguist who has the same qualifications, they will then proofread the translated file. Your dedicated project manager will carry out final quality control checks before sending your completed patent translation back to you. You benefit from 14 days of free revisions to your translation.

Where can I find the best patent translation companies near me?

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Espresso Translations provides a complete online service meaning that you can access all of our resources from anywhere in the world. With a dedicated team spread across the globe, we are perfectly positioned to help you protect intellectual property and patents in any language. 

We are an ISO 17100 translation agency meaning we have International Organization for Standardization recognition of our standards of operation and delivery. All of our native speaking translators have more than five years of experience in the industry and are highly qualified in linguistics. 

As well as our dedicated network of skilled translators, we have a responsive and knowledgeable customer service team who are always ready to answer customer queries.

When we are translating patents, we make sure to use expert linguists who only ever translate into their native language. This ensures that you get a highly accurate translation. We also make sure that your patent application translation will be handled by the linguist with the most relevant experience – for example, if you are working on a biotech patent, we will use a skilled translator with experience in the field of biotech, as well as knowledge of the legal system, documentations, prior art, paperwork, and more. This ensured that they will get all the technical language and terminology correct. We also have experts in engineering, technology, medicine, and more, meaning that you know you will be getting a highly accurate translation. 

What are the patent translation rates?

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Depending on the requirements of the receiving authority, you may require a:

• Certified translation costing from £30 plus VAT
• Sworn translation costing from £50 plus VAT
• Notarised or legalised translation costing from £90 plus VAT

We offer competitive rates for all our language services and translation solutions. The patent translation costs will depend on several factors including:

• Specialisation required e.g. biotechnology or pharmacology
• Length of the documentation
• Language pair e.g. rare or unusual language combinations cost more due to the limited number of specialist translators
• Type of translation required i.e. certified, sworn, notarised or legalised
• Turnaround time e.g. a quick translation may incur a higher fee
• Localization service, ensuring the patent translation is adapted to the relevant country and meets their rules and regulations

The translation rates are a small part of the fees that you will pay for submitting a patent abroad. You will require patent filing support in the form of a patent attorney who will take care of all the paperwork and communication with the relevant IPO. 

What do our customers say?

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Our accredited translation agency is proud of its excellent customer service, which includes prompt support and comprehensive guidance from its project managers. Take a look at our client reviews:

How long does technical patent translation take?

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Espresso Translations offers 48-hour, 24-hour and same day delivery on most of our language services. However, a patent is a complex and often lengthy document full of technical language and legal terms. As such it sometimes takes longer to translate than more standard documents. 

Nevertheless, we understand that time is paramount when filing a patent and when a translation is required it adds extra pressure. As a result, we always strive to work with our clients to meet their deadlines without ever compromising the quality of our translations or security of your data.

Many of the factors that influence the cost of a patent translation also contribute to the timeframe in which it can be done such as:

• Length of the paperwork
• Complexity of the patent specifications
• Formatting the right patent according to the receiving country or authority
• Language pair
• Type of translation required e.g. sworn and notarised translations require the input of a third party which needs to be scheduled
• Definitive deadline requirements e.g. if the translation is required as part of a lawsuit

Your dedicated account manager will keep you updated on all aspects of your patent translation including the timeframe.