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How to Choose a Patent Attorney Who Can Help You Obtain a Patent and Defend It


— March 15, 2022

Unlike other legal matters, a patent application requires comprehensive knowledge of both legal and technical aspects


Creating a new product can take a lot of investment in time, effort, and money, not to speak of the ability to think innovatively. According to Lexology, you should consider obtaining a patent to ensure nobody can copy it and deprive you of the financial rewards you deserve from its commercialization. However, applying for a patent is a complex process, which calls for legal expertise. You need to identify a competent and experienced patent attorney who can assist you file the patent application for obtaining the best protection against unauthorized duplication. A few handy tips on choosing the best possible patent attorney:

Look Only for Patent Attorneys

When filing for a patent, you must search for only attorneys specializing in patents. While almost all lawyers have some knowledge of filing patents, you should engage a qualified patent attorney registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Since you need someone with intimate knowledge of filing patent applications and protecting intellectual property, you should ideally look at specialist attorney firms. They will have the experience to handle the patent application properly and protect your invention.

Scrutinize Expertise

Seal of the United States Patent and Trademark Office; image by U.S. government, public domain.
Seal of the United States Patent and Trademark Office; image by U.S. government, public domain.

When you are looking for patent lawyers for help, you should focus on their experience and find out more about the kinds of patents they have had the experience. Patent applications are incredibly complicated and require a thorough understanding of the industry and the technology. Attorneys must also figure out what other players in the market are doing and the ramifications of the patent on the industries. You should look at patent attorneys specializing in your industry or who have handled patent applications for similar products. It is necessary because of the depth of knowledge needed to file a patent that will protect your invention from all possible angles. Unlike other legal matters, a patent application requires comprehensive knowledge of both legal and technical aspects, which is why the attorney must understand how the product works and its potential applications so they can represent it accurately in the patent application.

Do Not Hesitate to Look at Multiple Attorneys

You should not be afraid to interview several lawyers. You need to figure out if they are equipped to represent you for filing the patent application and executing relevant processes and documentation. Inventing a radically new product takes a lot of time and effort; therefore, it is vital to get a competent patent attorney to represent you. You can be sure that an experienced patent attorney will understand your concerns. They will be willing to invest time and effort to explain the options and how they can assist you. You should not decide in a hurry and be especially alert if an attorney firm seems casual in its approach or steamroll you into signing a contract quickly.

Conclusion 

In addition to finding a patent attorney with the necessary capabilities and experience, you must also try to ensure that the firm has adequate experience in litigation. You may need to sue people who are attempting to copy your product. 

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