Patent Agents and Attorneys

You may choose from a patent agent or a patent attorney when seeking qualified professionals to help you gain your patent.

Patent attorneys possess a law degree and may represent you in legal proceedings such as infringement cases. Patent agents may not represent you in a court of law during an infringement case. However, you may never need this service.

Both patent agents and attorneys are qualified to help you write and prosecute your patent application. It's best, especially if you have a complex invention, to seek out a professional with a background in the technology your invention is related to (i.e., software, biotech, electrical engineering). All patent agents and attorneys will at least have a bachelor's degree in a specialized area of technology.

The USPTO maintains a database of ALL the registered patent agents and attorneys across the U.S. You may find it by clicking here. However, not all of these individuals will be currently practicing patent law.

Therefore, you may wish to look through the directory of Copyright, Patent and Trademark attorneys at PatentLawPortal.com. The patent agents and attorneys listed in this directory are currently practicing patent law and maintain websites describing their services.