The basic cost of filing a patent application in even one country is very high -- beyond the reach of most people. Present arrangements give little incentive for the great majority of people to consider possible improvement to processes or to propose new products. This deficiency represents a waste of ingenuity and serious economic loss. One solution is as follows: An initial deposit on filing an application (sufficient to deter frivolous applications). 2) Instead of financing the Patent office by means of fixed annual fees, a percentage of royalties would be taken. The percentage might be fixed, or could be negotiated between the inventor and the Patent Office. 3) Patent lawyer's fees might also be funded from a percent of royalties.