subject: Finding The Right Patent Attorney: 7 Tips For You [print this page] You could be a brilliant inventor but you could also have no idea what to do with your invention. Before even taking your idea to an investor, you will need to patent your design/idea to protect yourself from potentially being cheated out of it by unscrupulous financiers and/or marketing companies. To do this, you will have to find a good patent attorney. That can turn out to be an intimidating task. Here's how you can find the best patent attorney for you:
*You need to first have a rudimentary grasp of how patents are processed - how long it takes to get one, what your rights are once you get one, and the kinds of patents available. You can research this in a library or even online.
*Then you need to find a patent attorney. Make a list of who you feel will be able to help you after reading their profiles, their company/practice profiles and their work experience online. Once you have a shortlist, you can contact them.
*First contact should ideally be made over phone or e-mail, so that you can gather more information like how much they charge and what kind of patents they specialize in. This is also a good way to find out how they respond to potential clients. A prompt response likely means that they will be as efficient after you hire them.
*After this, you should review all the information you have gathered and set up meetings, either face-to-face or even over the internet. This is the time to clear any doubts you have.
*After this, you will probably be able to make a decision based on which attorney you feel most comfortable with. But before that you must ensure that there is no conflict of interest with regard to family and other clients.
*Once you have done all your research and made your decision, you should let the attorney know you are going to hire know. He or she will then send you a formal letter of appointment, after which you are all set to go and try to make your mark on the world with your invention.
Getting your invention patented can be a long-drawn out process, but that doesn't mean you shy away from it. You must get your invention protected by a patent, and there are many competent patent attorneys who can help you with all the legalities. All you need to do is find the right one, and you can do this by following the above-mentioned tips.
