How to Find a Local Patent Agent or Attorney to File Your US Patent
Patents are legal documents protecting inventions. Trademarks help consumers recognize products. They also help businesses avoid confusing customers. A business form company helps start up companies. Legal help is provided by law firms. A patent attorney working in Texas is trained in the state laws and is also licensed before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Many lawyers work part time, while others work full time. While attorneys can charge clients anywhere from $150 to $1000 per hour, intellectual property matters are more project-based, and the lawyer can charge a fixed fee.
How to find a patent agent to file your U.S. patent
A patent lawyer can help you file a patent application for an invention you make. But you should always talk to an actual inventor to see what he/she thinks. This may lead you to a better idea than what you thought up yourself.
Don’t try too hard to save money, you could end up losing everything. Get help from professional patent attorneys who know how to get your product patented. Avoid making mistakes by working with skilled patent attorneys.
Don’t be scared to ask questions while interviewing your patent attorney. Ask them about the law and the facts of the case. Be prepared for the lawyer’s answers. Lawyers can learn something from each other as long as you ask questions.
Provisional Patent Application
An initial patent filing (or provisional patent filing) helps you get your idea into the public domain. This provides an opportunity to make further improvements without paying royalties to the inventor. After getting legal approval, the patent owner must pay a fee to register the patent as official. Registration allows other people to use the technology while protecting the original inventor.
Filing a non-provisional patent at the USPTO
Utility/Design Patents are simple kinds of patents. There are fewer restrictions and requirements than other types of patents. Utility patents allow someone to benefit from ideas, but not necessarily how they work or what materials go into them. Design patents show off creations while still being protected by copyrights. Licensing costs must be paid before plants and seeds can be commercialized and may need to be applied for if they’re protected under copyrights. Patent applications cost money, and you may expect to pay several government fees over the lifetime of the patent.
Design patents can be filed by inventors who want to protect their designs. A patent lasts an average of 20 years. Utility patents are useful inventions that last an average of 14 years. Plant patents last for an average of 17 years.
Houston Legal Trends matches entrepreneurs with the right legal service to get their patent applications filed early. It also provides other services that help the entrepreneur stay ahead of the game.