noun
patent filing fee; patent maintenance fee
Refers to official fees paid to the patent office, such as application filing fees or annual maintenance fees.
特許料の支払い期限が来月に迫っている。
The deadline for paying the patent filing fee is approaching next month.
特許料を納付しないと権利が失効する。
If you do not pay the patent maintenance fee, the right will lapse.
noun
royalty; patent usage fee
Refers to payments made to a patent holder for the right to use the patented invention, often in a licensing context.
この技術を使うには特許料を支払う必要がある。
You need to pay a royalty to use this technology.
特許料収入が会社の利益を支えている。
Royalty income supports the company's profits.
使用料 is a broader term for 'usage fee' or 'rental fee', not limited to patents.
Compound of 特許 (patent) + 料 (fee). The term is transparently derived from its components.