Dallas Patent Attorneys & Lawyers
How it Works
Richard Eldredge
Ken Emanuelson
Christopher Usrey
Brandon Leavitt
John T Davis
Gary Sorden
George Scott
Austin Hansley
Amy Osteen
Stephanie Wood
Dallas Patent Lawyers
Why Hire a Patent Attorney?
There is a lot of complex research required before a patent application is filed. Lawyers have access to search resources that are not usually available to the public. This makes it easier for a patent attorney to do the research than for an inventor to accomplish the task.
What Is an Attorney?An attorney is a licensed professional who advises clients on legal matters. Other names in the United States by which these professionals are known include "lawyer," "counsel," and "counselor." In some countries, the term "notary public" describes someone who practices law. In the U.S., a lawyer might also be a notary, but a notary is a lawyer. Be certain that anyone you consider hiring in Dallas has a license to practice law in Texas.
What Is a Patent?A patent for an invention is the granting of property rights to the inventor or scientist. The United States Patent and Trademark Office doesn't grant the patent holder "the right to make, use, offer for sale, or sell" the invention in the United States. It excludes others from doing so. This protects the applicant for a specified number of years.
There are three types of patents granted in the United States. A patent attorney will help you decide which one you need.
- Design Patent — Granted to an inventor of "a new, original, and ornamental design for an article of manufacture."
- Utility Patent — Granted to an inventor or someone who "discovers any new and useful process, machine, article of manufacture, or composition of matter, or any new and useful improvement thereof."
- Plant Patent — Granted to a person who "discovers and asexually reproduces any distinct and new variety of plant."
Among the services offered by patent lawyers are:
- Determining whether an invention is patentable. Is it innovative, novel, or useful?
- Performing patent research for patents awarded in the United States and other countries. Are there any potential cases of patent infringement?
- Compiling required data, drawings, and other papers.
- Completing all application documents.
- Filing patent application with the USPTO and paying patent application fees.
How to Find the Best Patent Attorney in Dallas
Texas boasts the third-highest number of attorneys practicing patent law. With so many lawyers from which to choose, you should try to get a referral from someone you trust. If you know someone who received a patent in Dallas, ask your associate which patent lawyer they hired.
UpCounsel also lists the top patent attorneys in Dallas. Once you have the names of attorneys who might help you, there are several steps you must take.
Before Meeting With the AttorneyRead through the attorney profiles on UpCounsel, paying attention to the following:
- What universities did the lawyer attend?
- What law school did the attorney attend?
- How long has the attorney been practicing law?
- In what areas of business law does the attorney specialize?
- How many clients applying for a patent has the attorney helped?
When meeting with a patent attorney for the first time, consider the following:
- Where is the office located?
- What are the attorney's office hours?
- How easy is it to get an appointment?
- Is the office professional-looking?
- Does the attorney understand what help you need?
- Did the attorney pay attention to what you were saying?
- Has the attorney applied for their own patent?
- How much of what you need will the attorney ask a paralegal to do?
- How many attorneys work in the office?
- How much time does the attorney have for assisting you?
Two important factors to take into account after your meeting include the following:
- Disciplinary Actions — Have any disciplinary actions been filed against the attorney or the law firm? In Texas, the Board of Disciplinary Appeals, an independent statewide adjudicatory body of 12 attorneys, hears attorney disciplinary cases. The board follows the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct and the Texas Rules of Disciplinary Procedure.
- Comfort Level — Are you comfortable discussing all phases in the creation of your invention with the attorney? Do you have any problems showing your invention to the lawyer and demonstrating its use, if applicable? You need to tell the attorney everything you can about your invention and be willing to answer any questions the lawyer asks.
Questions for a Patent Attorney
- What services does your firm offer?
- Have you assisted clients in my industry?
- Have you helped clients planning a business undertaking like mine?
- Have you worked with companies in the early stages of planning their business venture?
- How can I protect my intellectual property?
- Do I need to trademark anything?
- What licenses do I need?
- What contracts do I need?
- Which attorney in your firm will be helping me?
- How much time will an attorney in your firm spend each week helping me?
- What is your firm's hourly rate?
- Does your rate vary according to the type of work performed?
Why use UpCounsel to hire a Dallas Patent Attorney?
Average experience
You always get experienced professionals and high caliber work.
Faster
Your work gets done quickly because professionals are always available.
More cost effective
We use technology to cut traditional overhead and save you thousands.
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Legal Services Offered by Our On-Demand Dallas Patent Attorneys
Our experienced Dallas patent attorneys & lawyers represent individuals and businesses throughout the world with domestic and foreign patent preparation and prosecution matters. They have extensive experience handling applications from nearly every sector of technology, including biotechnology, computer hardware and software, communication networks, internet systems and methods, automotive, medical equipment, construction technology, consumer electronics, and clean technology research and development.
Our patent attorneys are of the most highly trained in the industry, requiring a scientific background, and passing a second level of testing known as the Patent Bar Examination. Thousands of patents are submitted to the patent office every day and a patent committee reviews each patent for its validity. The process requires that correctly drafted documentation present a clear case for the novelty of the invention, which is best made by a patent attorney with a higher education background in your industry.
Our Dallas patent attorneys & lawyers can help you file a provisional patent, which lasts for 1-year and allows you to immediately begin using/manufacturing your invention with the confidence that your idea is protected. These types of patents are great if you think your idea will change a lot over the next year before you file a (non-provisional) patent. These patents are easier to obtain and are less expensive but you should have a patent lawyer review your provisional patent application to insure that you are meeting your objectives when you file your patent.
Improve Your Legal ROI with Affordable Patent Attorneys that service Dallas, TX.
What Our Customers Have to Say
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