Using a Patent Agent

A guide about choosing and commissioning a Patent Agent

A patent attorney is a legal professional who specialises in representing clients in obtaining patents and acting in all procedures relating to patent law and practice, such as filing an opposition or arguing your corner with the patent examiner.

The titles patent agent and patent lawyer are also used in some jurisdictions but are used to describe the same role. In some jurisdictions the terms are interchangeable, in others the latter is generally used only if the person qualified as a lawyer.

In the UK the terms Patent Agent, Patent lawyer and Patent Attorney are interchangeable. CIPA (The Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys) is the professional and examining body for patent attorneys (also known as patent agents) in the UK. The name was changed a few years ago from The Chartered Institute of Patent Agents to The Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys.

Fees: Patent Agents are often quite expensive charging between £1000 and £3000 to draft and file your initial application. The hourly rate for further work is likely to be in the region of £200 per hour.

A granted patent can be a very valuable document and so if money is no issue then it is well worth using a professional to draft your application. It is important to use the correct legal terms used and the right wording for the claims of your patent application to ensure the best chance of getting a granted patent. Unless you have experience in this area a patent attorney may well be your best bet.

UK IPO - The Patent Office Guide to dealing with the UK IPO - The UK Patent Office The UK Intellectual Property Office (UK IPO), also known as the Patent Office, is the only organisation that can grant a patent in the UK. This page summarises what they do and the key information you need to know.

Can I patent my Idea? What can a patent cover? What does it not cover? It is sometimes difficult to work out whether your new idea is something that can be patented, whether it is worth patenting at all or whether there is a better way to protect it than patenting.