Confidential. On time. Linguistically precise.
Patent Translations for IP Law Firms and Applicants
Translations of patent specifications, EP validations and PCT applications: terminology-checked, confidential under NDA and ISO 17100, in more than 40 languages.
What are patent translations?
Patent translation is a distinct discipline at the intersection of law and technology. It combines precise legal terminology with in-depth technical expertise and is subject to specific formal requirements: the content of patent claims must not be altered, deadlines are non-negotiable, and confidentiality is fundamental to the business.
COMLOGOS has been providing translation services for the intellectual property sector since 2007: patent law firms, validation agencies, and applicants from industry and small and medium-sized businesses. Over this time, we have built up a terminology database that is immediately available for every new project and remains consistent across family applications, validation language areas, and litigation proceedings.
Confidential
NDA standard, ISO 27001-compliant processes, EU servers, and no use of your texts for AI training.
On Time
Compliance with registration and validation deadlines, even for rush orders with short-notice capacity.
Linguistically precise
Patent translators with a technical background, the dual-review process in accordance with ISO 17100, and terminology developed specifically for each law firm.
Three Pillars: Filing, Validation, Dispute
Patent Application
Initial applications filed with the DPMA, EPO, or as a PCT application: descriptions, claims, abstracts, and drawing legends. The translation must accurately reflect the content of the application text, as any unintended broadening of the scope of protection may lead to subsequent invalidity actions. Common language pairs: DE→EN for internationalization, EN→DE for first-time applicants in the U.S., DE→ZH/JP for Asian intellectual property strategies.
EP Validation
After a European patent is granted, validation in the national phases of the selected contracting states is required. Despite the London Agreement, mandatory languages remain relevant for many member states, typically Italian, Spanish, Polish, Czech, and Turkish. For the unitary patent (in effect since June 2023), a complete translation into one EU official language is sufficient; however, the translation of the claims into the three EPO official languages remains mandatory.
Litigation
Opposition proceedings before the EPO, nullity actions before the Federal Patent Court and the UPC, and infringement proceedings before national courts. These cases often involve the translation of pleadings, prior art searches, expert opinions, and license agreements. Above all, the highest level of legal precision is required, and certification is often necessary.
Standards and Regulatory Requirements
| Standard / Legal Basis | Field | Relevance to the Translation |
|---|---|---|
| EPC (European Patent Convention) | Grant of a European Patent | Language provisions under Art. 14; translation of claims into DE/EN/FR is mandatory after grant. |
| PCT (Patent Cooperation Treaty) | International Application | Application phase and national phase translations for over 150 countries. |
| UPC Agreement | Unified Patent Court (since 2023) | Languages of the proceedings; pleadings in the language of the chamber. |
| Unitary Patent Regulation (EU 1257/2012) | Unitary Patent (effective June 2023) | Transitional Provision: Full translation into an official EU language. |
| London Agreement | Translation Facilitation | Reduced validation requirements for participating EPC member states. |
| ISO 17100 | Translation Services | Dual-review process, qualifications, documented processes. |
| ISO 18587 | Post-Editing of Machine Translation | Suitable for research; use with caution for application texts. |
| Patent Attorney Regulations (PAO) | Professional Ethics | Duty of confidentiality; translators are subject to the same standards. |
| GDPR + EU AI Act | Data Protection + AI Regulation | Identification of inventors = personal data; AI tools compliant with the AI Act. |
Unitary Patent (as of 2026): It has been in effect since June 2023. During the transition period (until mid-2029), a complete translation into an official EU language must be submitted when requesting unitary effect; for German applications, this is usually English.
Triple ISO-certified
ISO 17100 (Specialized Translation with Revision), ISO 18587 (post-editing of machine translation) and ISO 9001 (quality management) form a combination that few service providers in the industry can offer, making every step of the process verifiable. Our processes are also aligned with ISO 27001.
Distinction from Related Services
| Area | Interface | Where We Separate |
|---|---|---|
| Legal Translations | Related Services, Contract Law | Patents = formal legal protection documents with a technical core; contracts = bilateral agreements without formal intellectual property rights. License agreements serve as the bridge. |
| Technical Translations | Depth of Content | Technical texts follow the language conventions of standards-compliant documentation; patents follow the language conventions of patent claims with established conventions. |
| Certified Translations | Certification as a Format | Certification is a formality, not a matter of content. Patent translations can be certified, but in most cases, they do not need to be. |
Documents We Translate
Filing & Grant
- Patent Applications (Description, Claims, Abstract)
- Drawing Legends and Parts Lists
- Priority Documents and Translation Certifications
- Patent Specifications and Publications
EP Validation
- Full translations for member states not party to the London Agreement
- Claim Translations for UPC Member States
- Unified Patent Translation (one EU official language, transitional arrangement)
- Spanish, Polish, Czech, Italian, and Turkish as areas of focus
PCT Procedure
- PCT Applications and Declarations
- Translations for the national phase
- International Research Reports and Written Statements
- Amendments to Article 19 and Article 34
Litigation
- Notices of Objection and Replies
- Invalidity Actions Before the Federal Patent Court and the UPC
- Lawsuits for Infringement and Preliminary Injunctions
- Briefs in the UPC's language of proceedings
Research & Expert Reports
- State-of-the-Art Research
- Freedom-to-Operate Analysis
- Patent Attorney Opinions and Statements
- Patent Search Reports from International Databases
Contract Interface
- License Agreements (Link to Legal Translations)
- NDAs and Confidentiality Agreements
- Research and Development Cooperation Agreements
- Patent Assignment Agreements
Languages for Patents
EPA Official Languages (always relevant)
EP Validation Languages (excluding London Agreement countries)
PCT Strategic Languages
Unified Patent (Transitional Arrangement): Full translation into an official EU language, typically English (for German applicants) or German or French (for English applicants).
The Patent Translation Process
Inquiry and NDA
Upon request, an NDA will be provided before the detailed source code is shipped; you may choose either the COMLOGOS standard or your own template.
Patent-Specific Analysis
The patent family, language strategy, and deadlines are being reviewed.
Customized Offer
Clear deadlines, including for urgent cases.
Approval and Confirmation of Date
Binding deadline, even on short notice.
Hiring a Patent Translator
Technical background, patent experience, native speaker principle.
Dual-Control Principle (ISO 17100)
Review by a second qualified translator; optional validation by a patent attorney.
Delivery in the format of your choice
Word, PDF, XML, or in the CMS/IP system; certified upon request.
Where AI Translation Shines When Combined with Post-Editing
AI translation with post-editing in accordance with ISO 18587 really pays off, especially for patent searches and extensive supporting documentation: fast, consistent, and cost-effective results without compromising on technical accuracy or quality.
State of the Art & Patent Search
Extensive research findings can be quickly reviewed, organized, and prepared for further processing.
FTO Equipment & Screening Materials
Large volumes of supporting documentation for freedom-to-operate reports are being made available quickly.
Routine Correspondence
Recurring communication with government agencies, law firms, and partners can be handled efficiently and consistently.
Data Protection and the EU AI Act: EU-hosted tools, GDPR-compliant, that do not use your texts for training, in accordance with the EU AI Act (applicable as of August 2, 2026, for most high-risk rules). See AI-powered translations for details.
Fairness and Transparency: Sample Prices
Prices are per word in the source language, with no flat fees. Match discounts from the translation memory are applied directly (typically 30–70% for patent families). With AI + post-editing for research, you save 30–50%. Revision in accordance with ISO 17100 is standard and included in the price.
| Language Pair | Standard (ISO 17100) | EP Validation |
|---|---|---|
| DE → EN (UK / US) | 0.18 €/word | Flat-rate offer per document |
| EN → DE | 0.18 € per word | Flat-rate offer per document |
| DE → ES (EU) | 0.16 €/word | Flat-rate offer per document |
| DE → IT | 0.16 €/word | Flat-rate offer per document |
| DE → PL | 0.14 € per word | Flat-rate offer per document |
| DE → ZH (simplified) | 0.22 €/word | Flat-rate offer per document |
| DE → JA | 0.22 €/word | Flat-rate offer per document |
Why Choose COMLOGOS for Patent Translations?
Familiar with patents since 2007
COMLOGOS has been providing translation services for IP law firms and applicants in the DACH region since 2007. Verified patent terminology for each law firm, consistent across patent families and validated language areas.
Translation Memory per Client
Each client receives its own, well-maintained translation memory and a central terminology database. This reduces follow-up costs by 30–70% for patent families and ensures consistency throughout the application, validation, and litigation processes.
Patent Translator with a Technical Background
Native speakers of the target language with technical training (mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, chemistry, pharmaceuticals, software) and proven experience in the field of patents.
Confidentiality is the foundation of business
Standard NDA, ISO 27001-compliant processes, EU servers, and no use of your texts for AI training. Translators operate under the same confidentiality standards as patent attorneys.
Related Services and Industries
Legal translation
Contracts, terms and conditions, license agreements, and legal documents, the natural counterpart to patent translations.
Learn more
Technical Translation
When technical depth is more important than intellectual property rights: operating instructions, data sheets, maintenance documentation.
Learn more
Terminology Management
Client-specific patent terminology to ensure consistent translations across the entire patent family.
Learn more
Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical and apparatus patents; the most common language pair is DE↔EN.
Learn more
Electrical engineering & digital industry
Software and electronics patents, high level of PCT activity.
Learn moreFrequently Asked Questions About Patent Translations
How much does a patent translation cost?
Costs are based on the language pair, volume, complexity, and the reuse rate from the translation memory. For patent families, costs are often significantly lower (typically 30–70%). Patent translations are slightly more expensive than technical translations due to specialized terminology and the dual-review process, but they are audit- and court-compliant. We’ll provide a no-obligation quote within 24 hours.
Which languages are relevant for the 2026 EP validation?
Despite the London Agreement, many member states continue to require full translations or translations of the claims, typically into Italian, Spanish, Polish, Czech, and Turkish. For the unitary patent (effective June 2023), a complete translation into an official EU language is required; a translation of the claims into the three official languages of the EPO remains mandatory.
What are the language rules for the unitary patent?
During a transitional period (until mid-2029), a complete translation into an official EU language must be submitted when applying for unitary effect. For German applicants, this is typically English; for English applicants, it is German or French.
Do I need a certification for my patent translation?
For EP validation and PCT applications, a simple translation certification is generally sufficient. Certified translations are often required in litigation before national courts. Upon request, we provide certified translations by sworn translators.
How do you ensure the confidentiality of patents prior to publication?
Confidentiality is the foundation of our business. We sign an NDA before sending out the detailed texts. Our translators adhere to the same confidentiality standards as patent attorneys. Our processes are ISO 27001-compliant, data is stored on EU servers, and we do not use AI tools for training purposes.
Where does AI translation excel when it comes to patents?
AI translation with post-editing in accordance with ISO 18587 really shines in state-of-the-art research, FTO submissions, and routine correspondence: Large volumes of material can be processed quickly, consistently, and cost-effectively, hosted in the EU and without using your texts for training purposes.
How quickly can you fulfill rush orders to meet the deadline?
We’re familiar with validation deadlines. For standard projects, we deliver within a few business days; for rush orders, depending on the language and scope, we can even deliver within 24 hours. The binding deadline is specified in the quote.
What files should we send to get an initial quote?
The original files (Word, XML, PDF with text layers) are ideal. Please include the following: target languages, desired deadline, whether you prefer traditional or AI-assisted translation, and whether certification is required. If available, please also provide your law firm’s existing terminology lists.
Ready for your next patent translation?
Talk to us about your project. We understand the deadlines, the languages, and the patent logic behind it all. We’ll provide an initial quote within 24 hours, and an NDA is available upon request.
EPC · PCT · UPC · ISO 17100 · NDA Standard · 24-Hour Quote
