Patent Attorney

Choosing and hiring the right patent attorney is an important decision when you are interested in applying for a patent for your invention. This is the person, or firm who is going to be largely responsible in guiding you while protecting your ideas. You should familiarize yourself with the five steps in filing a patent, and also you should be familiar with three kinds of patents available to you.

Inventor Tip:

Registering your idea early could be vital to keeping your rights. Sometimes it's a race to the patent office, as was the case with the telephone with two patents being filed the very same day. Do you even know the name of the OTHER guy?

Five Steps Your Patent Attorney Will Follow

The first sep your patent attorney will take will be to search the PatFT database of patents to determine if there are any patents filed for your idea here or abroad. Secondly, they will show you the current fee schedules for the fee process. As you have probably found out before now, there is still no free lunch.

Having your Patent Attorney File The Application

The patent attorney will determine which one of the three types of patent applications will be filed with the Board of Patents. The choice will depend on the nature of your invention/idea, whether it is Utility, Design or Plant.

The Importance of Choosing the Appropriate Attorney

It is important to find a patent attorney with expertise specific to the proper area before filing because of the many pitfalls that could possibly crop up. The patent attorney’s involvement more or less guarantees that your idea or invention has not already been patented or is awaiting a patent. The inventor is not equipped to deal with the complex legalities involved in the type of research required to accomplish this.

Having your Patent Attorney Deal With Unfavorable Decisions from BPA

The handling of unfavorable decisions by the Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences BPA will require the expertise of your patent attorney. Maintenance fees, and other exceptions in the application process may crop up and will have to be handled by the patent attorney. The layman has little chance against the BPA without the knowledge and professional know-how of the patent attorney.

Being Cooperative with Your Patent Attorney

Your participation and full cooperation with the patent attorney you have chosen to apply for a patent will go a long way in making a much smoother experience out of a difficult process and will probably end more successfully.