Internet Fraud

I have a few inventions and the next step is to apply for a patent. I don't know how to do that myself, so I need a patent attorney. I don't trust attorneys in general, but I need one or can't go forward. Is there a way a person can find out if a patent attorney is a good one? Is there a list, a referral service, or some kind of consumer watch group that would help? Thanks! I hope I chose the right category! I couldn't find one that addressed inventions, patents, trademarks, etc.

Check with the Patent Office for requirements. If you tell anyone about your inventions before patenting them, you give up the right to patent them. Your State Bar-which licenses attorneys-will be able to refer you to a good patent attorney.

My advice would be to find someone who know that has patented something and if they liked their attorney contact them.

Patent's are scams, large organizations do not patient products for 20 years or more after they have marketed and they use other means of securities....... I have been in China for the past 7 years....Its all about structure, not patients.

The best way of selecting a good, qualified patent attorney is to visit the website of the governing body; http://www.cipa.org.uk/members/directory/default.asp?m=f&dir=1 Contrary to the answer above, patents are massively important in protecting your idea or invention and it is imperative that you seek the proper advice from a qualified attorney. Large companies DO seek patent protection for their intellectual property, and the advice he gives is, quite frankly, misleading (and that's being polite). You can also contact the Patent Office for further advice on the best strategy for protecting your intellectual property in order that you may best exploit your invention; http://www.ipo.gov.uk/protect/protect-advice.htm

Explore the U.S. and International Patent Offices links here http://www.pokerpulse.com/legal/viewtopic.php?t=15. Search various keyword combinations to view patent applications both pending AND that have succeeded. Notice the onerous requirements involved in setting out specifications. Try to find out whether your inventions have ALREADY been patented AND if not whether there are applications you might challenge. Basically, a patent means you publish for the world at large the mechanics of your invention IN RETURN FOR the EXCLUSIVE RIGHT for a CERTAIN PERIOD to produce it. Others may, of course, seek licensing agreements. Try to do this work first as patent attys are $$$$$ expensive. (This is because if atty doesn't properly search patent records to ascertain whether you're claim is free and/or file applications in time to benefit from patent protection - BIG negligence suits ensue). Patent atty will also have to work with you to arrange professional testing of your inventions and theories to make sure the specs really create the invention you claim. It means that unless you have more than a layman's understanding of what's required to prove your patent - i.e. how to write specifications properly - you will spend much money on lawyer. So read specs at the patent site for inventions similar to yours. Helpfully, you'll notice that each patent and patent application lists the office contact info for atty in charge of filing. This is indeed a MUCH BETTER way of finding IP atty than trawling the local bar association. You'll need someone who understand patent law AND the nature of your inventions. Bar associations usually don't distinguish this carefully. IP law is kind of separate from criminal and civil matters. IP firms usually deal exclusively in IP. Good for you and good luck. Happy reading and writing!

Try this site for the UK patent office. Be prepared though. I had a simple invention, which I looked into eventually getting a copyright on. The costs ran into more than £20,000. There is no official UK patent office, as they all offer the same type of thing, but do choose carefully. There are some unscrupulous individuals out there.

Use an online legal service. It's much faster than trying to find an attorney.