Legal Question in Intellectual Property in New Jersey

Agencies to apply for patents

I've come across Hitachi group maintaining a website to register and manage patent information for inventors.

Do we have agencies who would do the ''patent application'' part for us(inventors)? is it legal to do so? do we have any other agencies like that? what are their functions basically?


Asked on 5/29/04, 1:42 am

2 Answers from Attorneys
Michael Nichols Law Office of Michael R. Nichols

Re: Agencies to apply for patents

You asked a very good question. Although it's possible for someone to prepare and prosecute their own patent application, most people (and companies) employ either a patent attorney or a patent agent. Patent attorneys and agents must have technical training (typically a B.S. in an Engineering or Science discipline) and must also pass a special "patent bar exam" (hence, not all attorneys can be patent attorneys). Patent attorneys are also licensed attorneys at law and can provide additional legal services. I hope this answers your question. --Michael Nichols, Patent Attorney

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Answered on 5/29/04, 2:31 pm
Donald Cox Law Offices of Donald Cox, LLC

Re: Agencies to apply for patents

What exactly does the website do that you described? Keep in that the applications unlike issued patents are speculative in nature and provide inventors with some degree of freedom in how an inventor makes the information public. Depending upon how the website you described operates, you may be giving up some of that freedom.

Regards,

Don Cox

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Answered on 6/01/04, 8:50 am


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