What is the patent agent doing?
Patent is a protection sponsored by a government provided by an inventor who differs from others in the production, use or sale of an invention without permission over a specified period of time. A patented agent is a specially qualified person who has received recognition from a government agency such as the Patent and the United States Patent and Trademarks (USPTO) because it fulfilled the qualifications to prepare and submit patent applications and to process them. This person may also be a lawyer, in which case he would be called a patent representative and has widespread abilities. However, a person can do this job without being a lawyer. It can connect with product developers and their legal team to make sure that the submission is carried out correctly.
In the US, the Agent can use the Patent Electronic System USPTO (EFS-Web), as well as on the site to send applications and documents to the office. The use of this tool also allows you to monitor waiting applications and progress of patent applications, but requires knowledge of forms and dockMents that work with it, how to set up a web browser that connects and keep it with new versions.
Patent agent may also be involved in prosecution or can contribute to the long -term management of the client's patent portfolio. In the latter case, this individual can cooperate with developers, business team, other agents and patent lawyers. In addition to a thorough knowledge of the USPTO rules and the manual of the Patent Examination Procedure (MPEP), the individual can be talked to know the rules, regulations and documents related to the Agreement on International Patent Cooperation (PCT).
Someone who works in this area can also be involved in related areas, including intellectual property problems (IP), trademarks and questions related to confidentiality agreements (NDA) and licensing. Patent agent can also be involved in the management of patent review, review of publication and review of publicationinventions. Interference practice and opposition practice can also get into the game.