Patent Attorneys - some thoughts on Patent Attorneys and professionals in general, from George Mavros for you to consider
I often hear from people that, they have self filed their provisional application because they were not prepared to GIVE a Patent Attorney "ALL THAT MONEY" to do it.
I don’t understand when someone comes to me with and idea that they believe will be worth MILLIONS to them, yet they do not want to spend a few thousand dollars on ensuring they have the best protection that they can for it.
A lot of people get confused by what the lodgement charges are from the Patent Offices and the Total fees charged by the professional service providers that are connected to the Patent System.
The lodgement fee for a provisional is for that and that alone - the lodgement.
The Patent Office does not examine that provisional, it does not check to see if the invention claimed is ever likely to pass examination (be granted a patent) it does not check that it is written correctly. The purpose of the patent office in receiving your provisional application is to give a centralised independent authority that securely keeps your information in a confidential environment. Whilst at the same time providing a system for all those around the world to determine who lodged an idea or claim to an invention first (priority date)
So you could easily lodge a document that provides you with a priority date but no IP protection at all.
The role of the Patent Attorney is to provide you with a document that sets out what you are seeking to protect in a manner that not only gives you a priority date but a well written document you can rely on to further protect your IP should you need to challenge others down the track. That’s how they earn the fees that they charge!
One of the most common mistakes I see with communications between new inventors and Patent Attorneys is that the inventor asks the wrong question of the patent Attorney and then gets the right answer - to the wrong question!! This is another area where we have been able to assist both the Patent Attorney and the Inventor.
Are Patent Attorneys expensive?
Expensive to me is when you pay for anything and do not get what you were offered for that amount of money.
Both Volkswagen and Porsche offer German Technology, rear engine, two door vehicles at quite significantly different costs. Depending on what your needs are, either one can offer value for money, yet to most at least one of them would be expensive. It is neither the cost nor the product that determines value; it is if you choose the right thing, at the right cost, for the right job.
Like all professions, trades and products, I am sure there are some attorneys that we could probably say are expensive but from my experience, by far the majority of Patent Attorneys, cost a significant amount of money but offer great value for money!
The following are some that I have had personal dealings with and have no hesitancy to personally recommend them.
FB RICE & Co (02)82311000
Have worked with several of their staff on behalf of a variety of my clients in both Sydney and Melbourne and find them all fantastic to work with. Chris O’Sullivan is a breath of fresh air to deal with, he knows all the technical and legal jargon, but can actually talk to you in plain easy to understand English!!
My 2 main contacts there are:
Chris O’Sullivan and John Hogan
Gold IP (07)55742411
Based on the Gold Coast, Gold IP is a small practice with a huge network of connections that provides excellent personal service in an environment that allows you to discuss Patent, Trade Mark and or Litigation strategies with the principals of the practice.
Speak to James Barritt and he will direct you to the right person to look after your needs.
Rob McInnes of Spruson & Ferguson (02)93930300
Another professional that speaks in plain English, I would particularly recommend Rob for anyone that is needing a Patent Attorney to address a commercialisation issue.
For further assistance in selecting or dealing with your Patent Attorney contact our office.