For Texans: Do You Need a Patent Lawyer or Not?

The internet is rife with misinformation regarding patents – and if you’re a novice in the field, you definitely don’t want to fall into the trap of misunderstanding. With proper research, guided by this article, you’ll know where to find the perfect Houston patent lawyer.

The purpose of a patent is to describe in detail the features and properties of unique inventions, whether physical or electronic. Inventors own and protect their inventions exclusively via patents, which grant them the rights to manufacture, market, distribute, and sell them. With these government-granted rights, inventors can prevent competitors from infringing on their patents.

The USPTO has many rules regarding what is patentable or not. Unless you follow the rules and understand the market, you have a higher chance of being rejected by an examiner. In certain cases, it is hard to know for sure what causes rejections – however, why they happen is yet another matter, beyond the scope of this article.

If you want to avoid the hassle of being rejected over and over, and you want the law on your side, then you should hire a patent attorney.

Is it worth it to hire a patent lawyer?

Some entrepreneurs may wonder, “Why outsource your expertise?” Most companies that see success outsource to staff members certain tasks – especially tasks that the business owner doesn’t have the skill to do themselves. Consequently, they can grow more rapidly.

Some companies without in-house patent experts will usually have outside legal counsel assist them with their intellectual property issues. While you can learn about the patent system if you know what you’re doing, not every business owner can do so. Doing it yourself is time-consuming. If you’re in that situation, your time is better spent on building and growing your profit centers.

The key to choosing the right patent attorney is weighing the following factors in your decision:

  1. The law firm’s areas of expertise and focus
  2. History
  3. How good are their online reviews and testimonials?
  4. Previous cases concerning patents
  5. Transparency about clients and their experience – are the clients businesses?
  6. Services
  7. Different opinions can be gained by exploring and even contacting multiple law firms. It’s like getting a second opinion from another doctor.

Follow all of these steps, and you’ll be more likely to find the right patent attorney.

There are a number of reasons why a patent application is rejected.

Below are a few reasons why patents are rejected. Remember – it’s only 3 reasons. It’s not an exhaustive list, and yet enough to give you an idea of the discipline that goes into a successful patent.

  1. Your invention must be unique and new, period. If you later find your patent is not one-of-a-kind, you will have to start over.
  2. An invention’s uniqueness is derived from its inherently challenging manufacturing process. When anyone can easily put it together from common parts, it is hardly unique.
  3. Written description: The description of an invention must show substantial supporting evidence of its uniqueness.

These reasons should be taken not solely as a guide to get approved. You must aim to make your patent into one that gives you a truly unique position in the marketplace, one your customers will know and remember you for.

You should not treat patent rejections as a final decision. When you take time to learn from others’ mistakes, and confidently determine your unique position in the market, you’ll more easily overcome these obstacles.

The time is right to call a patent attorney near Houston.

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