For Qualified Patent Attorney Chicago Is Worth Visiting

By John Green


Attorneys who specialize in the legal representation of clients in matters related to patents are referred to as patent attorneys. The way this term is used varies from country to country, leading to possible different qualification requirements from those of general legal practitioners. When in need for a patent attorney Chicago offers a good place to check out. Many prominent attorneys are located in this place.

Legal practitioner in matters relating to patents may also be referred to using the titles patent agent or lawyer. In some jurisdictions, the two terms hold the same meaning and may be used interchangeably while in others they do not. In jurisdictions where the terms are different in meaning, practitioners are only referred to as patenting lawyers if they also have the qualifications of a lawyer.

In the US, the qualifications held by both attorneys and agents are the same. As such, the USPTO issues the same license of practice to both practitioners. The work of these practitioners is to legally represent clients before USPTO. USPTO is the abbreviation for United States Patents and Trademarks Office. The workers prosecute, file, and prepare patenting applications. In certain cases, they may be charged with the responsibility of offering patentability opinions. The Supreme Court Case of Sperry verses Florida led to the inclusion of this responsibility to the attorneys.

Working in this field has specific requirements. For starters, it is mandatory to have admission to practice law in any US territory, state, or DC. The first ever patent to be issued by the USPTO was in 1790. From that time, the USPTO has issued qualification and licensure to over 73, 000 Americans who sat for and passed the registration examination.

Today, there is roughly a total of 42, 000 attorneys and agents working in this field. Out of that number, about 31, 000 are also licensed to practice law. California is the state with the highest number of these attorneys followed by New York and then Texas. In terms of per capita, Delaware tops the list of total number of attorneys and agents in this field.

In the US, all attorneys are required to be holders of a technical degree in engineering or science courses such as Chemistry and Physics. Besides the degree, practitioners are required to take and pass the USPTO registration examination. One may retake the registration after a predetermined period if they fail.

Like mentioned above, being admitted to practice law is a major requirement in this field. The admission puts the practitioners in a position to offer legal services outside the Patent Office. However, mostly, provision of such counsel is restricted to the specific jurisdiction one is admitted to exercise law in. Some jurisdiction permit provision of such services by attorneys from other states.

Outside USPTO, these attorneys can also advise clients on issues relating to the licensing of inventions and appealing of decision of the USPTO to a court. They may also offer advice regarding suing other parties for infringement. It is their responsibility to warn clients who are infringing into patents held by other individuals or companies.




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