What is the difference between a patent attorney and a patent agent?

A patent attorney is a highly-trained legal professional who specializes in patent law. They have a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree and must be licensed to practice law in the state of California. They are well versed in the entire lifecycle of a patent from the initial filing to protecting the patent from infringement. Patent attorneys can provide advice both before and after the patent has been issued. They can also help with filing international applications and arguing cases in court. A patent agent, however, is not a lawyer but an individual with technical expertise in a particular area. They have a degree in a field related to the invention, such as engineering or biochemistry. They must also pass an examination administered by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Patent agents can help a client with filing and preparing a patent application, as well as pursuing litigation and providing advice on infringement. However, they cannot provide legal advice or argue cases in court.

Related FAQs

What is a “provisional patent”?
Is it possible to patent a website?
What is the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) system?
What is prior art?
What is a reexamination certificate?
What is the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT)?
What is patent pending?
What is a patent search report?
What is a prior art reference?
What is a patent?

What is the difference between a patent attorney and a patent agent?

Related FAQs

Related Blog Posts