subject: 6 Steps To Finding A Patent Agent [print this page] It is important for inventors to find a patent agent. A patent agent is a professional with expertise in the field, and can help the inventor in many ways. In fact, it is absolutely necessary that you are able to find somebody good. If you are looking for somebody who will be able to process your patent application with the trademark and patent office, then you will certainly need to find one. Remember, patent law is quite complicated. Very few people who are not attorneys of agents understand the details. You can certainly get the patent, but for this, you will have to follow the application process precisely. The agent can do everything for you here.
Follow These 6 Steps and You Will Be Able to Find a Patent Agent
*Step #1 - The patent office can help you find an agent, if you do not know one personally. Just visit website of the patent office. You will find there a Resources page. Click this link. You will find a section that is named "Search Collections". You can find your agent here.
*Step #2 - The headquarters of the patent office is located at Washington DC. You will do well to find an agent in the city or somewhere close to it. This is a good choice, even if you stay far from DC. The fact is that, the agent will require traveling to Washington DC a number of times on your behalf. You are expected to fund these travel costs. If you hire somebody in the city or close to it, you will be able to avoid making these payments. You can naturally save money.
*Step #3 - Choose an agent who you feel will meet your requirements. Email a note to him or her, introducing yourself and your invention. Then state briefly as to why you are contacting the person.
*Step #4 - Tell the agent clearly that you are interested in a patent search, because you are interested in patenting your invention.
*Step #5 - You will definitely need to ask the person about the charges.
*Step #6 - Ask his or her opinion about whether it would be worthwhile to spend a large amount of money in patenting something which itself may not value so much. It is always a good idea that you pay for the opinion.
Of course, there are others ways of hiring your patent agent as well. For instance, you could ask somebody you know who have already hired an agent. You can look up the Internet, or you may search at the yellow pages as well.
