A poor patent translation may cost you a patent. Thus, it is quite common for an IP service firm or an inventor to have an urge to opt for a low-cost but quality translation provider. Patent translation is an expensive process as it carries much significance. A translation can account for more than 50% of the cost of PCT National Stage Filings and EPC validations. Thus, anyone would opt for an affordable translation provider to avoid poor patent translation. Regarding translation service, the quality and cost go hand in hand. Thus, whenever there is a drop in translator fee there might be a drop in quality too.
Key points of Patent Translation:
- Patents are techno-legal documents that use very precise technical language to describe the usage and features of an invention. Therefore, it is necessary to take the help of a translator who excels in the technical background in order to get an accurate translation. It will be impertinent to engage a translator from the biological domain to work for a mechanical domain.
- The most important part of any patent is the Claims section. The translated patent must unambiguously reflect the original technical and legal aspects. Thus, you must take help of native translators of the particular country to maintain the exactness of translated text and strict adherence to accurate terminology.
- Any error in a patent translation can never be compromised. However, sometimes there can be minor errors made by efficient translators. In order to maintain the quality of the translation, it must be proofread by another skilled translator. This bears much more important when the technical patent translation is subjected to anything that would be used in a patent infringement case.
The Intellectual Property domain requires high quality and error-free translations. This is so because they are mostly used for research and development purpose and also for filing a patent application in foreign countries. Even a small error in translation, in this case, will cost huge.
Also Read: Preventive Measures for Patent Translation Challenges
Let us have a look at how a poor translation can affect the following areas:
Research and Development
Regular and proper tracking of competitor activity or gathering information from published patents is vital when it comes to research and development, IP portfolio maintenance & monitoring, or the support of patent licensing & commercialization activities. Keeping in mind the budget constraint, companies sometimes take the help of free translator tools. This results in poor patent translation, missing important details and can finally lead to the business possibility to go off hand. Herein, lays the credibility and credit of an efficient translator.
Patent Prosecution / Filing
It involves translating prior art for domestic filings and patent applications for filing overseas to protect the IP of a company. Different countries have different filing costs, which in turn means hiring local patent attorneys from different countries. This leads to an overall increase in the cost of translation.
In the above scenario, it is better to take help of translation service specialist to save translation cost and obtain maximum protection against patent translation risks. A translation provider minimizes the cost and executes work accurately in required languages.
Patent Examination
You must translate the application such that it is understandable and clear for the examiners in their own language. Similar translation for a technical term is tough, thus it is necessary to hire an expert familiar to the professional terms and Patent applications.
Moreover, poor patent translation may lead to unnecessary office actions. Thus, increasing the filing cost.
Thus, you must consult the translators which are expert in their fields and have knowledge about related wordings/phrases to avoid unclear meanings.
Data about Competitive Patents
A number of companies keep an eye on the patents of their rivals to remain updated of their plans. You require a translation if the rival patent is filed in another country. However, you may use machine translation to save money, but it is inaccurate and may portray wrong information about the rival patent. You need a professional translation to get beneficial information about the rival patent and plan in accordance. Here, poor Patent translation may cost you a lot.
Post-grant Translation
Poor Patent translation can cause problems even after the grant. The translation may harm the scope and motto of the invention if the translator makes a different word choice other than the original one. You may find yourself stuck in a very unfortunate scenario where you gave a hefty amount of money for a patent that went in vain.
Business
A Poor Patent translation may damage the reputation of a company and present an offensive message to the cultural aspects if not kept in mind during the translation. The International partners may not indulge in business with the company if they find them unprofessional. Also, it may turn customers away from related products/services.
This may allow the competitors to jump in and lure your hard-earned customers. Moreover, poor Patent translation provides misleading data that may lead to legal actions against the company.
How to get a distinctive balance?
A translation is a human art, whether it be for information purpose, research and development, or a patent prosecution purpose. Thus, a translation by a human and that of a machine bears significant difference. So, working with a reputed translation service providing company may help the clients to get the best form of work. This would finally help achieve a long-term trusted relationship with the client with the service provider. Moreover, the value of a patent translation cannot be ascertained by mere monetary units. A poor patent translation can prove fatal leading to serious legal and financial outcomes.
Also Read: Business Patent Translation: Everything You Need To Know
Services at the Patent Translation Express:
Our professional team at the Patent translation Express is equipped with experts from various backgrounds. We excel in 100% customer satisfaction within a pocket-friendly price. You can place online results in various formats and expect a quick turnaround time. Moreover, we provide you free iterations to get what you want even after the services. You can trace your work progress at any time. Also, our team remains updated with the official rules and regulations and provides you the best output. We advise you throughout the process to present better and long-lasting results. To get a hold of more of our services, do visit Patent Translation Express.
