Protecting Your Rights the Correct Way: Patent Lawyers in Philadelphia, PA Explain Why You Should Obtain Legal Representation
There may be no more difficult application than a patent application. This is a product of a confusing matrix of federal laws that are interpreted by decisional law and agency rulings, which are often not regularly available for the general public to review—and certainly not broken down into an easy-to-understand format for laypersons. A patent application involves more than just filling out a form; but also includes written and visual portions containing descriptions and schematics demonstrating that your patent is materially different from any other existing patent. This naturally requires an extensive review of all other patents and a persuasive pen to explain how your patent is different. While the process is not impossible without a lawyer, having an experienced patent lawyer in Philadelphia, PA, complete the process for you is the only way to guarantee that your invention is adequately protected and has the best chance of success.
This is because patent lawyers like ours at Paul & Paul have over 170 years of combined experience handling intellectual property applications and cases, particularly those involving patents. We have developed a tried-and-true formula for researching and submitting patent applications, including handling appeals should a patent be improperly denied. Our dedicated and experienced team offers FREE consultations to learn more about our process and how we can help you and your business protect your rights.
What is a Patent?
A patent is a type of intellectual property (IP) right that a person or business holds for an invention. This intangible IP right creates a superior right for the IP holder, excluding others from making, using, offering for sale, selling, manipulating, or otherwise controlling the invention without permission.
There are three types of patents, including the following:
Utility Patents – granted to any person or business who invents or discovers any new and useful process, machine, article of manufacture, composition of matter, or invention, or a new and useful improvement of one of same;
Design Patents – granted where there is a new, original, and ornamental design for an article of manufacture; and
Plant Patents – granted where a person or business invents or discovers and asexually reproduces any distinct and new variety of plant.
Do I Need a Lawyer to File a Patent?
No, you do not need a lawyer to file a patent. However, the process can become prolonged, and your application could be denied due to basic errors or mistakes. While this may not sound like a big deal because you can re-apply, the process of applying for a patent can often be a race to obtain superior rights over an invention. Delays in obtaining a patent can jeopardize your rights of obtaining these superior rights. Given that the entire process is open to the public, you may be at significant risk of theft if your application is delayed or denied, and you have to restart the process over again due to preventable errors.
Benefits of Hiring a Patent Lawyer in Philadelphia, PA
A patent lawyer can help you submit a complete application that has as broad a patent claim to an invention as possible, offering you greater protections than you may realize you are entitled. This can make it harder for others to steal your vision or to develop a competing invention that is slightly different and falls between some loophole that could compete with your product.
Another benefit is to ensure that your invention is adequately patented in the first place. Complex layers of law apply to patents, including statutory law, rules, regulations, and decisional law. Knowing these different legal authorities can ensure that your product is adequately patented smoothly and efficiently. Not only will this protect your product, but it will also save you money in terms of not having to re-apply, redraft schematics or descriptions, or lose valuable time where you can be selling your product or a license to sell it.
Need a Patent Lawyer in Philadelphia, PA? We Can Help
If you or your business need a patent lawyer in Philadelphia, PA, look no further than the skilled and experienced law firm of Paul & Paul. We have over 170 years of combined experience representing inventors during an application, prosecuting infringements, defending frivolous lawsuits, or drafting sale or license agreements for patents. Learn more about how we can help you during a FREE consultation by calling (866) 201-8191 or by sending us a message with our easy-to-use contact us box available here.
This website is designed to provide only general information. The information presented on this website is not formal legal advice. You should not rely on any general information from any source for making legal decisions. Each legal matter is unique and requires specific attention from a qualified and experienced attorney. Unless a representation agreement has been signed with Paul & Paul, we are not your legal representatives.