What is a patent attorney?
A patent attorney is an attorney at law who is licensed by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office to represent inventors before it. Only those who are licensed by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office can represent inventors (other than someone representing him or herself) seeking a patent. Ensure that anyone you speak to is licensed by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office. A patent attorney usually has a degree in engineering or a pure science (i.e. Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, etc.). As attorneys at law, they are also licensed to practice law in at least one state. Additionally, patent agents may represent individuals in patent matters before the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office. Patent agents usually have a degree in engineering or a pure science but are not licensed to practice law. Patent agents may not give legal advice regarding infringement, patentability, patent validity or other legal matters handled by the courts.
