Patent lawyers are legal professionals who specialize in intellectual property law, specifically patents. They help clients secure and protect their inventions, and represent them in legal proceedings related to patent matters. Some common tasks performed by patent lawyers include:
- Conducting patent searches to determine the novelty of an invention and the likelihood of obtaining a patent.
- Preparing and filing patent applications with the appropriate government patent office.
- Responding to official communications from patent examiners and providing arguments to overcome rejections of patent claims.
- Advising clients on patent infringement and validity issues.
- Drafting and negotiating patent licensing agreements and other contracts related to intellectual property.
- Representing clients in patent litigation, including infringement suits and post-grant proceedings.
- Counseling clients on intellectual property strategy, including patent portfolio management and enforcement.
Overall, patent lawyers help clients protect their inventions and maximize the value of their intellectual property assets through a variety of legal services.