It’s tempting, isn’t it? You type “patent filing in India” into Google and up pop dozens of online services promising quick, cheap, and hassle-free patent applications. A few clicks, some uploaded documents, a card/UPI payment, and you’re done, or at least, that’s what they want you to believe.
But here’s the uncomfortable truth: a patent isn’t just a form you file. It’s a legal right that can shape your invention’s future for the next 20 years. And if the drafting isn’t strong, if the claims are weak, or if nobody is there to defend your case before the Controller, that “cheap and fast” service can turn into the most expensive mistake you ever made.
That’s why the real question isn’t whether online services are convenient - they are. The question is: do you want to risk your invention on convenience?
Why online platforms fall short
Online platforms operate like marketplaces. They take your details, charge a package fee, and pass the work to someone in their network. You don’t really know:
Who is drafting your application.
Whether that person is a registered patent agent.
If they understand your technology at all.
Who will respond when the Patent Office raises objections.
Most of the time, you’re not dealing with the drafter directly. You’re talking to a sales or customer support team. That distance means you lose the single most important thing in patent drafting: a conversation between inventor and agent.
A strong patent comes from back-and-forth: you explain the invention, the agent digs deeper, asks questions, challenges assumptions, and carefully shapes claims. No online template or call center can replace that.
The myth of “cheap”
Many people get pulled in by low package prices. But here’s what those prices usually hide:
Official IPO fees are fixed by the government (and they’re not very high).
Professional fees are where the real variation lies. Online services often quote a lump sum, but what you’re getting is bare-bones drafting with little scope for iteration.
If your claims are vague, too broad, or too narrow, your patent might get rejected, or worse, granted but worthless in enforcement. Fixing that later costs far more than doing it right the first time.
Think of it like building a house. You can go with the cheapest contractor who cuts corners, or you can pay a professional who knows the codes, materials, and future-proofing. One option looks cheaper upfront, but it doesn’t last.
Who stands by you when objections come?
Every patent application in India goes through examination. The Patent Office issues a First Examination Report (FER), and your agent has to reply with arguments and claim amendments. Sometimes you’re even called for a hearing.
Ask yourself: who from the online service will do this? Will it be the same person who drafted your claims? Or a different contractor you’ve never spoken to?
With a personal patent agent, there’s continuity. The same professional who understood your invention and drafted your claims will defend them. That’s the kind of consistency you want when the stakes are high.
Confidentiality isn’t optional
Here’s another hidden risk with online services: your invention’s details are confidential. Yet many platforms don’t clearly explain how they handle data. Where are drafts stored? Who has access? Do they feed anything into AI tools that might expose your secrets?
A personal patent agent will usually sign an NDA and give you straight answers about storage and confidentiality. With platforms, you often get generic “terms and conditions”. For something as sensitive as a patent draft, that’s not good enough.
When a personal agent makes all the difference
A registered patent agent doesn’t just file paperwork. They:
Study prior art to shape your claims.
Draft a specification that balances breadth with defensibility.
Guide you on whether to file a provisional or complete.
Advise you on expedited examination under Rule 24C if you qualify (startups, small entities, women applicants, government institutions).
Represent you during FER responses and hearings.
Most importantly, they become your partner for the long haul. Patents can last 20 years. Having someone who knows your technology, your goals, and your earlier filings is invaluable.
The checklist that online services don’t want you to use
Before you sign anything, ask:
What’s the name and registration number of the patent agent who will draft and sign my application?
Can I see an anonymised sample of their work in my domain?
How many iterations of claims are included in the fee?
How do you separate IPO official fees from professional fees?
Do you check my eligibility for expedited examination?
What’s your NDA and data-security policy?
Will the same person handle FERs and hearings?
If an online platform can’t give you clear answers, you already have your answer.
The bottom line
Yes, online services for patent filing are cheap and convenient. But patents aren’t trademarks or GST registrations. They’re complex, technical, and strategic rights that can define your company’s future.
If your invention is worth patenting, it’s worth protecting properly. An online service might file the forms, but a personal patent agent fights for your invention, defends your claims, and stands with you when challenges come.
The real cost isn’t the filing fee. The real cost is ending up with a weak patent that doesn’t protect your idea. And that’s a cost you can’t afford.
So don’t be lured by the quick and easy option. Take the time to find a good, registered patent agent who understands your work. Your invention deserves nothing less.
