How To Choose A Patent Attorney Successfully.
How To Choose A Patent Attorney Successfully.
There are two theories on obtaining patents on your invention. The first, which I will discuss here, operates on the theory that you chronicle your work and protect it vigilantly through the proper channels.
An equally-popular theory is that having a patent means only that you will spend a fortune defending that patent. To that end, this group supports doing the bare minimum in terms of official patent work, but getting out of the gate with the best marketing program. The idea on this is that people de-engineer products, add a twist or change just enough, then make their own product that is similar.
For the purposes of this article, we’ll focus on the traditional thoughts on obtaining a patent. Even for the traditionalist, if you leaf through any stack of inventing books and you’re bound to find a few dedicated to the inventor who wishes to use the do-it-yourself method of patenting an invention. While a professional inventor may know his way around the patenting process, it would be wise for the amateur to remember the adage, “The man who represents himself has a fool for a client.”
Once you know the ropes a bit, you can file for the copyright and occasional trademark on your own. Generally speaking, however, you are doing yourself a disservice if you don’t get advice from a professional. Most patent attorneys find the do-it-yourself method as penny-pinching of the worst kind.
You can save time and money by being an informed shopper. Shop for a patent attorney much the same way as you would shop for a doctor. First get recommendations from trusted friends and associates. If you have a general attorney, he or she may be able to recommend someone to you. Once you have a few names, compare. Just because a patent attorney comes highly recommended by a fellow inventor does not mean that attorney is the right one for you. Check your needs against the qualifications of the attorney to see if you are a match.
Make an initial appointment to ask questions and get a general feel for the attorney to see if you like his or her style and manner of doing business. Ask the attorney for references from clients, and then check those recommendations. You should also ask the attorney if any complaints have been filed by clients, and check those out. Rapport is a prime consideration. No matter how good an attorney is, if you can’t communicate with that person and if he or she doesn’t seem to understand your needs, you’d do well to look elsewhere.
Finding a Perfect Match.
Aside from your initial gut feelings about an attorney, there are a few concrete matters to consider: specialization, fees and location, for example. Patent attorneys, like everyone else, have specialties. Since they are required to have some sort of applied science or technological background in addition to a law degree, it would be wise to see if your invention matches the attorney’s background. At the patent office, patents are divided into three areas: electrical, mechanical and chemical. While patent attorneys generally follow those specialties, some adopt subspecialties. There are chemical patent attorneys who do nothing but biology, for example. There are also electrical patent attorney who do nothing but computer chips.