How to Find a Patent Lawyer: Everything You Need to Know

The last thing you want would be to see someone else taking the credit for your invention and hardship. A patent protects your creation or innovation from others who intend to use, copy, or sell it. Eric Thole advises hiring a patent lawyer as they have specialized qualifications to represent you in obtaining patents, as well as any legal suits that may arise.



What Is A Patent Lawyer and Why You Need Them?

Before you dive into the information of finding a patent lawyer, understand first who they are. A patent lawyer is an attorney with specialized knowledge about patent law. They help you through the process of having your invention patented. Eric Thole, attorney at law, highlights things can go wrong last minute, even if you have attended many seminars and workshops to understand patent law. A poorly drafted patent application can ruin all your efforts, wasting valuable time. 

Patent lawyers have years of training and know the law inside out. They can assist you with your provisional or non-provisional patent application and make the entire process go smoothly. Eric Thole advises you to use a patent lawyer for drafting your applications to increase your chances of receiving protection.

How to Find A Patent Lawyer

Eric Thole instructs not to hire any patent lawyer based simply on a whim, recommendation, or an advertisement online. Here are some crucial steps to find a patent lawyer

1) Do Your Research

Before hiring a patent lawyer, search the US Patents and Trademark Office (USPTO) website to identify other similarly situated inventions like yours with patent. It saves your money from paying costly legal fees to patent a similar product already patented.

2) Know Where to Search

Search reliable sites like Lawyers.com with parameters setting for patent lawyers. Eric Thole, attorney at law, recommends going with those patent attorneys who know your kind of invention. 

Prepare a list of qualified patent attorneys for consideration and Google them online. Look for publications, reputable articles, etc., to know more about each of their qualifications. Additionally, call your state bar association to check their background and know whether they remain in good standing or not.  

3) Use Referrals 

Apart from an online search, you can ask your friends and family for referrals about attorneys specializing in this area. EricThole advises you to also reach out to other inventors for it.

4) Conduct Preliminary Interviews

After doing the background check, narrow down the attorneys matching your requirements. Conduct preliminary interviews with each of them to learn about their qualifications and costs. EricThole advises you to ask for their legal cost upfront and take it in writing to avoid unforeseen fees in the future. When you meet, ask them about past patent applications, whether they have specific knowledge of your invention, and what they think of it.

5) Do Not Restrict Yourself To a Specific Physical Location 

Patent law is federal; therefore, the legal fees would be higher in major cities than smaller ones. In today’s day and age, you can meet your attorney through several communication methods, including the phone, Skype, e-mail, Facetime, and other virtual face-to-face interactions without being in the same room. So, instead of restricting yourself, you can now work with a patent attorney anywhere in the US.

Conclusion 

You can also use social media to find a patent lawyer. Eric Thole conveys if you approach any reputed patent attorney, they will agree to meet you and provide an opinion on the likelihood of your patent application success. However, if an attorney doesn't provide you with such information without asking for money upfront, then it is better you look for others. 

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