what is a patent attorney?

 

The patent attorney is an independent, legally authorised specialist in the field of patents, trademarks and designs. As a registered expert a patent attorney has a confidential relationship with the client and guarantees absolute secrecy. The patent attorney has had both an academic technical education and dedicated legal training. This means that he/she has insight into the technical aspects of inventions and is familiar with all the legal procedures to protect inventions and ideas.  

 

The patent attorney advises on the effective protection of knowledge, products and ideas. He/she acts on behalf of his/her client and arranges the procedures to acquire and maintain protection at the Netherlands Patent Office, at the European Patent Office, at the Benelux Trademark and Design Office and at the European Union Trademarks and Designs Registration Office. He/she also arranges effective protection in countries outside Europe in collaboration with fellow patent attorneys in other countries.

 

In practice the patent attorney first examines whether protection of an idea is sensible and feasible. He/she also advises on the appropriate form of protection and he/she will check - together with the client - in what countries protection is needed.

 

Patent attorneys can also investigate the validity of competitors' patent applications, trademark and design registrations and provide considered advice on these. Clients therefore find out what knowledge and ideas their competitors are protecting. They can thus ensure that they do not unintentionally infringe the existing rights of others.