Patent attorneys are experts in the field of intellectual property law, specializing in patents. They are responsible for preparing and filing patent applications, representing clients in court in patent-related matters, such as infringement, licensing and re-examination. Patent attorneys also provide legal advice to clients on intellectual property issues and issues related to inventions. To become a patent attorney, you need to have a degree from a law school and pass the USPTO exam.
In addition, you must have experience in science or technology. The first responsibility of a patent attorney is to search for prior art to ensure that an invention has not been previously represented in the public domain and is patentable. Then, they draft and process patent applications on behalf of the inventors before the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Patent attorneys also provide legal representation in cases of patent infringement, challenging the license of an invention, and appeals to the USPTO. Patent attorneys are also involved in all aspects of the law covering patents and the intellectual property rights of inventors. They evaluate whether inventions are new and innovative and, therefore, whether they have the right to be patented.
The value of most patents comes from their requirements, so it is important to find an attorney who has extensive knowledge of these requirements and understands the specific and meaningful language used in patents. In Germany, patent attorneys have obtained their university degrees in engineering or natural sciences and practiced in industry before being accepted for additional three-year studies. In Australia, until the late 1990s, the subjects were mainly taught and examined by members of the patent attorney profession under the supervision of the Professional Standards Board (PSB), but this process has now been incorporated into Australia's university system. If you need help with a patent application or to find a patent attorney, you can post your legal application on the UpCounsel marketplace. A patent attorney cannot be a government official, a municipal official, a notary, a judge, or an elected official. The examination and registration of patent attorneys are carried out by the State Intellectual Property Service of Ukraine. In conclusion, patent attorneys are responsible for preparing and filing patent applications on behalf of inventors before the USPTO.
They also provide legal representation in cases of patent infringement, challenging the license of an invention, and appeals to the USPTO. To become a successful patent attorney, it is necessary to have experience in science or technology as well as a degree from a law school.