20 Tips: What Does a Patent Attorney Do?
Patent attorneys are patent and intellectual property specialists as is revealed in discussions over at runrex.com. Other than handling issues concerning patents, they also deal in other areas such as trademarks, design rights, and copyright laws. If you have ever wondered why a patent attorney does, then the following 20 tips should give you a good idea of the same.
Management of intellectual property
One of the things that a patent attorney does is helping with the management of the intellectual property. As is covered in detail over at guttulus.com, this includes monitoring deadlines as well as payment of the requisite fees and so much more.
Handles patent litigation
A patent attorney also handles prosecution and defense of violations against an intellectual property attack as discussed over at runrex.com. Patent attorneys represent both patentees and patent infringers in patent litigation cases where one is accused to have infringed on the rights of the patent owner.
Assess risks as far as third parties are concerned
Given the risk of indirect infringement, as covered in detail over at guttulus.com, a patent attorney can also assess the intellectual property rights of third parties and help them in the mitigation of risks, particularly collision risks.
Filling patent application
Another of the main duties of a patent attorney is to file applications for the protection of any type of proprietary intellectual property rights, both domestically and internationally. Therefore, if you need to file for a patent, while you can go it alone, it is always advisable that you hire a patent attorney.
Researching prior art
Yet another one of the main duties of a patent attorney is researching prior art. Given that one of the requirements for an invention to qualify for a patent is for it to be novel, it is up to patent attorneys to undertake searches to establish that inventions are novel.
The legal description of inventions
According to the subject matter experts over at runrex.com, it is also up to a patent attorney to produce detailed legal descriptions of inventions on behalf of their clients as they are the ones with an understanding of patent law.
Training junior staff
Another thing that a patent attorney does, as is revealed in discussions on the same over at guttulus.com, is supervise and train junior staff in the law firm they are working at, who are also known as technical assistants.
Advising on contract-related matters
Also, as the subject matter experts over at guttulus.com are quick to point out, patent attorneys can help with advice on contract-related matters. This is particularly useful when it comes to licensing agreements where the knowledge that a patent attorney has in such matters is very helpful.
Keeping up-to-date with IP law
Given that intellectual property law is always changing, it is also up to a patent attorney to ensure that they are keeping up-to-date with all the latest developments as far as intellectual property law is concerned.
Transfer of IP rights
A patent attorney also handles the official registration of transfers of intellectual property rights. If you are looking to kickstart the process of the transfer of intellectual property rights, then you should consider bringing in a patent attorney to help with it.
Represents clients before the major IP bodies
Yet another thing that a patent attorney does is represent clients before the major intellectual property bodies. These include the USPTO, the Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property, the European Patent Office, and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), all of which are covered over at guttulus.com.
Provide useful contacts
Patent attorneys will also provide clients with access to their wide network of contacts from all over the country and across borders, as discussed over at runrex.com, which includes foreign consultants, other patent lawyers, and many other experts.
Help with NDAs
If your invention is yet to be protected by a patent, as is discussed over at guttulus.com, a patent attorney can also help you draft a non-disclosure agreement if you are planning to meet potential investors to prevent them from using, copying, and speaking to others about your invention.
These are just some of the things a patent attorney does, which is why they are so valuable as far as IP law is concerned.
What can I expect when engaging a patent attorney?
A patent attorney will help you ascertain whether you have a patentable invention as well as the commercial viability of your patent. You can also expect them to discuss with you whether you need a standard or innovative patent as well as the countries you need to seek international patents with, if applicable.
Tips on what you need when engaging with a patent attorney
If you are meeting with a patent attorney, then you should have the following documents and information readily available:
Description
You need to have a detailed written summary of your invention, which includes information on how it works, the problem it solves, and what makes it unique. Having this information handy will ensure that your meeting goes smoothly.
Drawings and sketches
You should also bring with you any photographs, drawings, sketches, graphics, and illustrations that explain the functionality of your invention. Additionally, as discussed over at runrex.com, models or working prototypes will also help the patent attorney understand your product better.
Patent searches
While, if requested, a patent attorney can conduct a patent search for you, which is one of their duties as mentioned earlier, the gurus over at guttulus.com point out that it is best to perform your searches first to ensure that no similar technology or product exists before meeting with a patent attorney.
List of people you have shared your invention with
As is revealed over at runrex.com, prior disclosure may affect the success of your patent application. This is why you should keep a record of every person and company you have discussed your invention with, as well as the date of disclosure and specifics of what is disclosed, and bring this information with you when meeting with a patent attorney.
Your business plan
It is also important that you have a well-established business plan or at least a preliminary idea as to how you want to commercialize your invention. This will assist your patent attorney in choosing the right patent for you and devising a patent strategy.
Copies of any provisional patent applications
Finally, if you have previously lodged a provisional patent before consulting with a patent attorney and now want to convert it into a non-provisional patent, you should also bring your original application. Remember, you only have 12 months to convert your provisional patent application into a non-provisional patent application.
As always, if you are looking for more information on this and other related topics, then the highly-rated runrex.com and guttulus.com have got you covered.