Post-Brexit Effects: Indirect Cost Changes for Chinese-Spanish Patent Translations

Brexit, the United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union, finalized on January 31, 2020, with a transition period ending on December 31, 2020, has reshaped economic landscapes across various sectors, including intellectual property. For Chinese businesses and inventors seeking patent protection in Spanish-speaking countries like Spain or Latin America, translating patents from Chinese to Spanish is a critical step. This article examines how Brexit has indirectly influenced the costs of these translations, primarily through exchange rate fluctuations, market dynamics, and changes in the translation industry.

Impact of Exchange Rates on Translation Costs

Translation service fees are generally calculated per word and vary based on the language pair, content complexity, and provider location. Industry estimates suggest that Chinese-to-Spanish translation rates range from $0.20 to $0.30 per word, reflecting the technical expertise required (The Word Point). For an average PCT patent application of 9,400 words, translation costs could range from $1,880 to $2,820.

Post-Brexit, the weakened pound has made UK-based translation agencies more cost-competitive for Chinese clients. For instance:

· Pre-Brexit (June 23, 2016, 1 GBP = 9.80 CNY): A 1000 GBP translation service cost 9800 CNY.

· Post-Brexit (June 27, 3, 1 GBP = 8.80 CNY): The same service cost 8800 CNY, saving approximately 1000 CNY.

In contrast, EU-based agencies charging in euros saw a smaller cost reduction:

· Pre-Brexit (June 23, 2016, 1 EUR = 7.44 CNY): A 1000 EUR service cost 7440 CNY.

· Post-Brexit (June 25, 2016, 1 EUR = 7.36 CNY): The same service cost 7360 CNY, a minor saving of 80 CNY.

Thus, Chinese clients may find UK-based services more economical post-Brexit.

Market Dynamics and the Translation Industry

Increased Demand for Translations: Brexit has spurred the creation of new trade and legal agreements between the UK and non-EU countries, increasing the demand for translation services for documents like treaties and contracts (Day Translations). This heightened demand could exert upward pressure on translation rates. However, patent translation is a specialized field, and its rates are less sensitive to general market fluctuations.

Translator Availability: Brexit has restricted the movement of people between the UK and the EU, potentially leading to a shortage of skilled translators in the UK, which could increase costs (The Spanish Group). For Chinese-to-Spanish translations, however, translators are typically native Spanish speakers or based in Spanish-speaking countries, minimizing this impact. UK agencies like CTS offer translations in multiple languages, including Spanish, indicating their capability to handle such projects.

Market Competition: The depreciation of the pound may encourage UK translation agencies to offer competitive pricing to attract international clients. EU-based agencies, with relatively stable euro-based pricing, may maintain higher rates, further incentivizing Chinese clients to choose UK providers.

Brexit has indirectly altered the cost landscape for Chinese-to-Spanish patent translations, primarily through exchange rate fluctuations. The significant depreciation of the pound has made UK-based translation services more affordable for Chinese clients, while the euro’s minor fluctuations have had a limited impact on EU-based services. Although increased translation demand and potential translator shortages may influence costs, these effects are less pronounced for specialized patent translations. By strategically selecting UK-based providers and optimizing translation processes, Chinese clients can effectively manage costs while ensuring compliance with patent filing requirements.

Choose Artlangs Translation for your Chinese-to-Spanish patent needs. Our expert linguists deliver precise, cost-effective translations tailored to your IP requirements. Contact us today for seamless global patent protection!