A patent attorney is a specialised legal professional trained in patent law. Licensed in Australia to practise patent law, Patent attorneys typically have a science or engineering degree and hold additional qualifications that make them experts in patentable technology.
Patent attorneys support individuals and companies to secure and protect their IP through patent application preparation, processing and submission.
They also offer defence of IP rights when infringed upon whether through informal measures such as cease and desist letters or through more involved litigation in court where they can act as advisors or expert witnesses.
Expertise
Patent attorneys understand patent law in depth and understand how to properly:
- Analyse scientific or technical documents
- Perform novelty searches
- Prepare patent specifications
- Complete patent applications
- Navigate patent processing and respond to or lodge any patent oppositions or examination reports
Typically they are also experts in other areas of IP legislation such as trade marks, copyright, design rights and plant breeders rights. This allows them to also offer detailed advice regarding legislation pertaining to these.