Patents protect your intellectual property (IP), but only in the country where they are registered.
Each country has a separate patent system, and the patents it grants can only be enforced within its jurisdiction. To protect intellectual property worldwide, companies must file new applications for each market. But first, they need a viable patent translation.
This guide will explore how patent translation protects your organization’s intellectual property in global markets, explain the process, and discuss translation technology companies like Smartling that help businesses navigate this process.
What is patent translation and why is it important?
Patent translation converts patent documents from one language to another while preserving legal and technical accuracy. This process is essential for companies expanding into new global markets, allowing them to register patents in foreign jurisdictions and protect their intellectual property internationally.
Errors in the translation of foreign patents can compromise legal enforceability and lead to rejection or costly disputes. Effective patent translation requires the following expertise:
Technical experience in the company’s field
Knowledge of filing requirements in the destination country
Proficiency in legal terminology
In addition to the risk of rejection, inaccurate translations can also create legal loopholes that allow competitors to challenge or circumvent patent protections. Accurate translation maintains the legal intent of the original patent while adapting it to new jurisdictions.
Can I use machine translation to adapt patents?
Machine translation can help streamline patent translation. That said, due to the sensitive nature of legal translation and the complexities of legal structures, a level of human oversight may be necessary to ensure that your translated patents comply with the legal system of the target location.
Linguistic resources such as glossaries and style guides can help AI translation workflows deliver highly accurate results that take into account domain-specific terminology and linguistic nuances. These translations can then be carefully reviewed by expert legal translators to ensure accuracy. This process is called machine translation post-editing (MTPE).
With Smartling, organizations can translate patents and related legal documents in a secure translation management system and with the help of expert legal translation services that deliver accurate and reliable results while protecting your confidential information.
Types of patent translation
There are two main types of patent translation: filed translations and informative translations.
Patent Filing Translations
A patent application translation is a legally binding document submitted to patent offices in different countries. It is your official record in the application process, intended to be viewed by legal colombia whatsapp number data 5 million professionals, patent officers, and patent licensees. Accuracy is vital when submitting patent translations, as errors can lead to rejection or legal challenges.
Each jurisdiction has unique legal and technical requirements, so translations of patent applications must comply with the relevant patent office guidelines. Translators must follow the terminology and formatting standards of organizations such as the WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization) and the EPO (European Patent Office). Some countries require exact, word-for-word translations, while others allow adapted versions that align with local patent laws.
Informative patent translations
An informative patent translation is used for research, litigation preparation, or technical reference rather than legal submission. It helps companies understand the content of patents that have order takeout and they become substitutes already been filed so they can monitor competitors and check for potential infringement.
Informative translations are typically intended for internal use and prioritize readability over strict adherence to official frameworks. While they still require accuracy, they may be less detailed and precise than a patent application translation.
Should your company hire a patent translation agency?
Patent translation is a specialized field that requires a deep understanding of both technology and law. Some shops 9177 companies use in-house translators or general translation services, but these options may not have the necessary expertise.
Inadequate technical translation of patents can cause significant delays in obtaining international patent rights, leading to potential loss of revenue and a weakened market position. Errors can result in rejection, legal complications or even loss of intellectual property rights in new markets.
Professional patent translation services minimize these risks. Here’s what to look for:
Legal Proficiency: Each country has a unique patent system and filing requirements. Look for patent application translation companies with extensive experience in your target country.
Smartling’s legal translation services help global companies translate patents, contracts, court transcripts, and other essential legal documents with a secure platform and network of expert translators.
How much does patent translation cost?
The cost of patent translation services depends on several factors:
Industry expertise: Fields like software development and healthcare often involve complex ideas and terminology. Patents for specialized industries require a translator with subject matter expertise, which often adds to the cost.
Translation method: Human translation services typically cost between $0.20 and $0.30 per word for public-facing content; patent translation rates can be considerably higher. Machine translation costs a fraction of a cent per word, but may require additional human review to ensure accuracy and legal compliance in the target location
Cost-saving tips for patent translation
Regardless of the type of patent translation your company requires, these strategies can control costs:
Create your translation memory: Most translation management systems allow you to create a translation memory , a database of previously approved translations. Translating from scratch can be time-consuming, so repeatedly translating exact-match phrases increases the cost of the project. In Smartling, you can reuse texts from your translation memory at no additional cost. With previously translated texts removed from the scope, your overall translation costs can decrease significantly.
Choose a hybrid approach: Human translations are highly accurate but can be expensive for large projects. Machine translation is more affordable, but additional human review may be required to ensure accuracy and legal compliance.
AI-powered human translation (AIHT) offers the best of both worlds : human-quality translations, delivered quickly, and starting at just $0.12 per word.
Ensure accurate patent translation with Smartling
Accurate patent translation is essential to protect companies’ intellectual property in international markets. It ensures that IP rights are recognized and enforceable. The best patent translation services deliver high-quality results backed by industry expertise. Accurate language and technical expertise prevent disputes and strengthen global patent rights.
Want to learn more about
choosing the right translation solution for your global expansion needs? Download a copy of “ What to Look for in a Translation Solution: A Buyer’s Guide ” today. This free eBook is packed with essential information to get the best results, including features to look for and questions to ask. You’ll find a translation solution that fits your business.
Legal considerations
Domestic businesses must comply with a single (and perhaps familiar) set of applicable laws and regulations. Businesses operating in foreign markets must deal with multiple legal requirements and compliance standards in multiple countries. Failure to do so can result in fines, restrictions, and reputational damage.
Distribution channels
Companies that market domestically can establish a strong local distribution network and leverage existing partnerships with retailers, advertising agencies, media channels, and e-commerce platforms. International marketing involves global supply chains and requires companies to navigate complex promotion and distribution networks in unfamiliar territories.
How Smartling can help your business expand internationally
If you’re planning to grow your business and expand into foreign markets, your marketing materials need to speak the language of your target audience. From websites to emails to ad copy, content localization is your bridge to international success in global marketing.
Smartling offers multiple translation methods to accommodate diverse marketing needs, so businesses no longer have to choose between quality, cost, or speed in their translation process. Now they can have all three.
Smartling’s AI translation provides fast, efficient, and affordable translations for time-sensitive, short-form content like blog posts or customer reviews. For highly visible content like a website homepage, businesses can send content to human linguists for sophisticated translations that maintain their brand voice across languages. Whatever the content type, Smartling offers a solution to help you maximize translation quality and delivery speed at a fraction of the cost of traditional methods.
Ready to take your international marketing strategy to the next level? Grab a copy of Smartling’s free eBook, “ The Ultimate Guide to Translating Your Marketing Materials, ” to master translation and localization for every type of content. You’ll learn how to develop marketing strategies that resonate around the world.