There are many firms that advertise themselves as offering intellectual property services and people who advertise themselves as patent litigation attorneys. But what does that really mean? What services are these firms actually authorized to offer? Depending on a person’s credentials, the intellectual property services he or she is authorized to offer may be limited.
Be sure that you understand the legal services that your legal professional is authorized to provide.
What Do You Get When You Hire a Patent Attorney?
In the field of intellectual property, there are generally three types of professionals: U.S. registered patent attorneys, patent agents and intellectual property attorneys as stated on https://midhudsonnews.com/2020/05/10/how-does-inventhelp-support-new-inventors/.
U.S. Registered Patent Attorneys
The U.S. Registered Patent Attorneys have earned this distinction by passing The Bar Exam as well as a federal bar exam administered by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). U.S. registered patent attorneys are able to prepare, file patent applications as well as provide all of the other legal services necessary to protect your intellectual property rights, including obtaining trademarks and/or copyrights, negotiating licenses, litigating infringement matters or anything else attorneys are able to do.
Patent Agents
Patent agents are not attorneys. They are individuals who have been authorized by the USPTO to prepare, file and prosecute patent applications. They are not authorized to provide any legal services, such as obtaining trademarks and/or copyrights, negotiating licenses, litigating infringement matters or anything else attorneys are able to do as you can read on https://vocal.media/journal/innovating-as-a-small-business.
Intellectual Property Attorneys
Unless your intellectual property attorney is registered by the USPTO, he or she is not allowed to have any role in the preparation, filing or prosecution of your patent application. Intellectual property attorneys can, however, provide legal services in other areas of intellectual property, including obtaining trademarks and/or copyrights, negotiating licenses, litigating infringement matters or anything else attorneys are able to do.