what you need to know before seeing a patent attorney

by Reyna Wolf 8 min read

In order to pass the patent bar, an attorney must possess a degree of technical experience, as demonstrated by holding at least a bachelor’s degree in a technical field or some equivalent. But not everyone has the same technical background. You want an attorney who understands the technology you’re developing.

Explain your goals and ask about the entire patent process and its cost, and not just about what is involved with filing the application. If you have a “pitch” or presentation you have written up and that you plan to use after filing your patent application, bring it to the attorney to review.Feb 20, 2019

Full Answer

Do I need a lawyer to get a patent?

A patent attorney is a lawyer with experience in intellectual property (IP) law that covers the security and protection of intellectual property. These attorneys receive a federal license to represent clients by passing a bar exam designed specifically for patent law. A patent attorney cannot represent clients before the USPTO without this federal license and their state bar license.

What should you look for in an intellectual property lawyer?

What Do Patent Attorneys Do?. What patent attorneys do is assist inventors through the patent application procedure and help draft a patent application that is more likely to get approved and will ensure the protection of the invention.. To begin with, patent lawyers enter an apprenticeship that enables them to master the skill of patent application.

Who writes your patent application?

Nov 28, 2019 · To choose the correct type of patent attorney, you need to understand that there are two main types of patent attorneys: (1) those who handle patenting inventions and (2) those who handle prosecuting patent infringement. So, when looking for a patent attorney, make sure you’re looking for one that handles patenting inventions.

Do you need a lawyer to protect your own inventions?

Feb 16, 2022 · 1) Patent application: A patent application is the first step in the patent process. It’s where an inventor submits his or her idea for protection. The application must include a description of the invention, how it works, and how it will be used in order to be considered for review by the U.S Patent Office (USPO).

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What questions should I ask a patent attorney?

10 Questions – Hiring a Patent AttorneyExclusively patent and trademark? ... AV-rating? ... Extranet access? ... Representative clients? ... Patents and trademarks found valid in litigation? ... Technical expertise for patents? ... Considered experts in intellectual property? ... Teaching experience in intellectual property?More items...•Jan 15, 2020

How do you know if a patent attorney is trustworthy?

Within the USPTO website, look for "patent attorneys," and you will see a listing of states. Click on your state and you'll see a listing of patent attorneys and patent brokers by identity in alphabetical order. If the individual works for an agency, the agency is listed within the USPTO search.

Can a patent attorney steal your idea?

However, patent lawyers are bound by ethics and professional responsibility requirements. Stealing an idea would be a serious breach of duty for a lawyer that can expose him or her to punishments from the bar, and the original inventor would likely be able to sue for theft.

How do I choose a patent attorney?

Here are a few things to consider.You need a “patent attorney.” Not just any attorney will do. ... Don't hesitate to shop around to find the right fit. ... Find an attorney with expertise in your idea's technical field. ... Meet the attorney who will be drafting your patent. ... Discuss billing arrangements.More items...•Jun 5, 2017

What is the best patent?

Top Patent Firms 2019RankLawFirmU.S. Utility Patents1OBLON MCCLELLAND, MAIER & NEUSTADT, L.L.P.60982SUGHRUE MION, PLC46103FISH & RICHARDSON P.C.42384CANTOR COLBURN LLP4201141 more rows

What do patent agents do?

But, like Patent Attorneys, Patent Agents work with inventors, researchers, and attorneys to evaluate invention technology, assess patentability, draft patent applications, and analyze and respond to the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) Actions.

How can I patent my idea for free?

The Patent Pro Bono Program attempts to match inventors with registered patent agents or patent attorneys. These practitioners volunteer their time without charging the inventor. However, the inventor still must pay all fees that are required by the USPTO; these cannot be paid by the practitioner.Mar 1, 2018

How much does it cost to patent an idea?

The average cost to patent an idea ranges from $5,000 to $16,000+ depending on how simple or complex your invention is. An extremely simple design such as a paper clip typically costs $5,000 to $7,000 to patent, whereas a highly complex invention such as software or satellite technologies runs $14,000 to $16,000+.

Who stole inventions?

5 Creative Innovators Who Stole Their Biggest IdeasAlbert Eistein. When most people hear the name of the famous physicist, they think: he was the one who discovered the theory of relativity. ... Alexander Graham Bell. The telephone... ... Mark Zuckerberg. ... Quentin Tarantino. ... William Shakespeare.Nov 11, 2016

How long do patents last for?

20 yearsHow long does patent protection last? Patent protection is granted for a limited period, generally 20 years from the filing date of the application.

Is a patent lawyer necessary?

You do not need a patent attorney to apply for a patent. As an inventor, you can submit a patent for your own invention on your own behalf. ... Patent law is a highly technical legal field about highly technical subjects. Even if your invention is technically simple, writing a patent yourself can be very risky.

How do I interview a patent attorney?

Below are 4 questions to ask a patent lawyer before hiring them to do the job....Let's begin!What's Your Legal Experience?What's Your Technical Experience?Can Your Patent Lawyer Explain Their Work Process?Can You Provide References?Sep 20, 2019

What should I know before filing a patent?

Before you start the filing process, you should ask yourself whether you really need patent protection. You should consider criteria like timing, cost, and type and subject matter of an invention. This article on figuring out whether you should patent your idea will help you think through all the variables.

What are the typical duties of a patent attorney?

A patent attorney assists their client, or their employer, in obtaining a patent. This includes drafting the description of the invention and the claims, as well as communicating with the patent office to make the case for why a patent should be granted.

What are the five steps to filing a patent?

Understand Your Invention.Research Your Invention.Choose the Type of Protection.Draft Your Patent Application.Wait for a Formal Response.

What are three criteria that must be met for an invention to be patentable?

To be patentable, the invention must be statutory, novel, useful, and nonobvious.Oct 18, 2021

What are the 3 types of patents?

There are three types of patents - Utility, Design, and Plant. Utility patents may be granted to anyone who invents or discovers any new and useful process, machine, article of manufacture, or compositions of matters, or any new useful improvement thereof.Jan 31, 2019

What are the 4 types of patents?

There are four different patent types:Utility patent. This is what most people think of when they think about a patent. ... Provisional patent. ... Design patent. ... Plant patent.Jul 12, 2021

Can you patent an idea without a prototype?

Many inventors wonder if they need a prototype prior to patenting an invention. The simple answer is “no'. A prototype is not required prior to filing a patent application with the U.S. Patent Office. While prototypes can be valuable in developing your invention, they can also be costly.

What skills do you need to be a patent attorney?

Key skills for patent attorneysMeticulous attention to detail.Independence.Ability to explain complex information clearly and concisely.Good communication skills.Sound scientific and technical knowledge.Good IT skills.Analytical skills.

Is being a patent attorney stressful?

The Career Stress may come in the form of long working hours, demanding clients, and tight deadlines, but that is true for any law firm. You may enjoy the job aspect where you interact with clients and their creative ideas, discussing their invention, and researching the likelihood of successfully attaining a patent.Jun 29, 2021

How long does it take to qualify as a patent attorney?

In reality, it typically takes 4-6 years to become a patent attorney.

What makes a good patent lawyer?

Technical skills and a meticulous eye for detail are just two important characteristics of a good patent lawyer. However, just because a patent lawyer has relevant experience to your industry doesn’t mean they can easily communicate the necessary information to you or through the application.

What is patent attorney?

A patent attorney is a lawyer with experience in intellectual property (IP) law that covers the security and protection of intellectual property. These attorneys receive a federal license to represent clients by passing a bar exam designed specifically for patent law.

How long does it take to become a patent attorney?

It sometimes takes years of apprenticeship with qualified patent attorneys before a lawyer can handle it on their own. Most attorneys don't perceive patent regulation in any respect. There’s by no means been a profitable firm that has their engineers writing their very own patents.

What is the difference between a patent attorney and a patent agent?

These two are similar in that they can both help represent a client before the United States Patent and Trademark Office, but a patent agent isn’t able to prosecute or conduct other legal recourse methods if your patent is infringed upon.

What is the standard of a patent?

The standard of a patent is especially dependent on whether the patent application contains a full, clear, and correct description of the use of the invention. The patent quality can be decided if the reach of the patent is as broad as possible, given the state of prior developments within the discipline. How the product “sells,” the benefits of the invention, and the way an applicant handles correspondence with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) can all have an effect on the patent quality. Clearly, a patent expert who performs patent drafting regularly can more effectively create an acceptable application.

Can a patent attorney represent a client?

A patent attorney cannot represent clients before the USPTO without this federal license and their state bar license. Thus, a patent attorney is someone who has extensive understanding and training in the protection and representation of intellectual property.

What happens if you disclose your invention?

3- If You Do Disclose Your Invention, Record the Dates. If a company does publicly disclose an invention, it is important to record the dates that their invention was disclosed on. That is because the one year bar date is a hard deadline. If your company obtains a patent, it may later be invalidated if the patent was filed one year ...

Why is it important to record the date of an invention?

If your company obtains a patent, it may later be invalidated if the patent was filed one year and one day after your disclosure date.

Do you need a prototype to patent an invention?

Therefore, a fully functioning prototype of a company’s invention is not necessary before filing a patent. As such, if you are designing a mobile application for your patent, it is not necessary to have the web application fully functioning or even segments of code before talking to a patent attorney. What would be necessary, is that another could write the code or reverse engineer similar code based on what is disclosed on your invention.

What is a patent attorney?

Most patent attorneys specialize in either patent prosecution (the process of obtaining patent rights for inventions) or patent litigation (handling legal disputes about whether someone is infringing an existing patent). If you’re looking for advice about protecting your own company’s inventions, look for a firm (or a group within a firm) ...

What is legal experience?

LEGAL EXPERIENCE. A law firm’s website might advertise intellectual-property services — but that doesn’t always mean that they have actual experience advising tech companies, or with successfully prosecuting cases before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Look for a patent attorney who has significant experience handling patent filings. ...

Is a patent law firm a long term relationship?

A tech company’s relationship with a patent law firm is often a long-term one. That’s why it’s important to do your due diligence to ensure you’re hiring the right attorney for your intellectual property needs.

What do patent attorneys do?

What patent attorneys do is assist inventors through the patent application procedure and help draft a patent application that is more likely to get approved and will ensure the protection of the invention. To begin with, patent lawyers enter an apprenticeship that enables them to master the skill of patent application.

What is a patent lawyer?

They are the attorney who represents clients who are trying to get a patent for an invention. Patent lawyers are able to compose and prosecute applications, give extensive guidance to people who wish to obtain patents, and take on patent infringement cases.

What is a patent prosecution attorney?

Patent prosecution attorneys are mainly in charge of daily processes related to initial drafts, filing, and prosecuting patents and trademarks for clients. They may assist litigators and transactional attorneys in their tasks, as they are trained to be proficient in all capacities.

What is the role of a patent litigator?

Litigators. Patent litigators may often play the role of a defendant or a plaintiff when handling lawsuits. They may or may not have deep technical knowledge, however. Litigators should have high tenacity as they deal with long constricting hours before a trial.

What is transactional attorney?

Transactional attorneys are tasked with duties such as handling licenses, buying and selling profiles, and mediating licensing agreements to mutually benefiting both parties. Transactional attorneys may or may not have a deep technical knowledge, although the majority of them do.

What to do if you don't have money for a patent attorney?

If you don’t have the money for a patent attorney, you should explore the option of hiring a patent agent. Patent agents, like patent attorneys, are licensed by the patent office to assist inventors with patenting their inventions.

What is a patent attorney?

Patent Attorney: A patent attorney is a person who has completed law, passed his state’s bar exam, and is licensed by the USPTO to assist inventors with all aspects of patenting their inventions.

How long do utility patents last?

Utility patents last for 20 years from the filing date of a nonprovisional patent application. Design patents last for 15 years from the date the USPTO grants your patent application. Plant patents last for 20 years from the filing date of your patent application.

Should I get a patent on my own?

You should only get a patent on your own if you are familiar with US patent law and you have excellent writing skills. A patent is as good as your draft your patent application. As such, it’s extremely important for it to be drafted as well as possible. If you can’t afford a patent attorney, consider hiring a patent agent to assist you with patenting your invention.

Can I get a patent without a lawyer?

Yes, you can definitely get a patent without hiring a patent attorney or lawyer. The USPTO will even offer inventors patenting their own invention assistance with doing so. That said, the patent office recommends that all inventors hire a patent attorney or patent agent to assist them with patenting their invention. This is so because patent law is quite complex and making even minor mistakes could cost you time and money down the road to remedy.

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Legal Experience

  • A law firm’s website might advertise intellectual-property services — but that doesn’t always mean that they have actual experience advising tech companies, or with successfully prosecuting cases before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office(USPTO). Look for a patent attorney who has significant experience handling patent filings. Here are some guiding questions to find out abou…
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Technical Experience

  • In order to pass the patent bar, an attorney must possess a degree of technical experience, as demonstrated by holding at least a bachelor’s degree in a technical field or some equivalent. But not everyone has the same technical background. You want an attorney who understands the technology you’re developing. For example, if your invention deals with nanotechnology, a lawye…
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Work Process

  • You’ll need to work closely with your attorney through the process of obtaining a patent — so be sure you can work well with them. It’s also important to understand who you’ll be working with. At small firms like Henry Patent Law Firm, the attorney you speak with during the hiring process will likely also write your application. But if you’re choosing a large firm, a variety of associates may …
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Cost

  • While strong patent counsel can get expensive, hiring an attorneyis also an investment in your IP assets. As such, tech companies should build this into their annual budget. That said, you also don’t want a rude awakening when you see your invoice. Pick an attorney who’s transparent about their billing policy, and will give you upfront estimatesof the costs you can expect to incur. Be wa…
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References

  • It’s always beneficial to speak with businesses like yours who have worked with the patent attorney before. Some attorneys will be understandably hesitant to reveal their clients’ names. But even if confidentiality is at stake, the way they respond to a request for references can reveal a lot about their working style — and you want to work with somebody who is honest and upfront in t…
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Hiring The Right Patent Attorney For Your Business

  • Don’t be afraid to get all the information you need before committing to a hiring decision. Your money, business, and IP assets are at stake in forming this long-term working relationship. Looking for an attorney who specializes in patent prosecution? Contact Henry Patent Lawto find out whether we’re a good fit for your needs!
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