The fact that you already know that it is important to work with a patent attorney puts you far ahead from most other inventors and people with ideas. While many others are looking for shortcuts and ways around the system, you clearly recognize the importance of having someone on your side who knows how to effectively work the Patent system. You know that if your invention is valuable, it is critical that it is handled correctly. A good patent attorney is the single greatest factor in your success.
Since you know that a patent attorney is an important part of your success in pursuing your invention, and is critical for obtaining effective patent protection, you are likely wondering how to choose a patent attorney? Here are some things to look for in establishing a successful relationship with your patent attorney, ensuring that you are well protected, and that you have the greatest chances for success:
1. Your patent attorney must be accessible. Many attorneys are simply not available when you need them. It is important to find an attorney who will get on the phone with you, and return your calls promptly.
2. Your patent attorney must be experienced and skilled. A patent is only as good as it is well written. You want your patent to protect the whole concept that you have come up with, and not leave openings for others to circumvent your patent. It takes a skilled and experienced patent attorney to write a patent application that not only gets approved, but also fully protects the invention.
3. Your patent attorney must listen to your needs. Listening is a skill too often overlooked. And when it comes to selecting a patent attorney, finding one that will listen to your needs is the difference between getting the results that you want and getting what your attorney wants. The same approach does not work for every client, and will not fulfill the needs of every client. It is important that your patent attorney understands this, and is willing to depart from the ordinary way he/she does things, when their agenda doesn't suit your needs.
4. The representation must be tailored to your needs. A patent is not a one-size-fits-all proposition. Different inventions require different approaches and strategies. You should make sure your patent attorney is willing to consider the unique aspects of your project, and determine an effective and custom strategy with you.
5. Your patent attorney must work directly on your case. When you find an experienced patent attorney, there is a good chance he/she will hand your case off to a less experienced, junior attorney who will do the actual work on your case. When this happens, not only do you lose out by not actually getting the skill and experience of the attorney that you hired, but also what you want and the details of your invention can get lost in communication before it gets to the junior attorney who actually works on your case.
6. Your patent attorney's fees should be clear, and also competitive. Shopping for a patent attorney by price alone is a really bad idea. It makes sense that the best patent attorneys are never the cheapest, but they are not necessarily the most expensive either. What is most important, is that you understand your attorney's fees, so that you can reasonably predict what the patent process will cost you. Often, "fixed fee" arrangements will work better for individual inventors than being billed hourly.
To learn more about what is required in pursuing a patent for your idea, contact our offices today. We are here to help guide you through the process.
