What is the best way to find a reputable patent attorney and what criteria would you recommend they meet? Is there a website that deals with the actual inventor/invention - rather than these online sites that just make promises and take your money? There is not a money problem to get a patent - it’s the lack of credible information to find help to get the patent - that’s the problem! Thanks for any help!
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Search the USPTO web site for other inventors in your town. Google them, them, find them..
Ask locals until you get a few that agree on the “good” one. Even other attorneys (if you know any honest ones) will give you a good referral.
It took me a while to find a good one - and it was $14k from start to finish, but well worth the money. He came up with things I would have never thought of alone or with a cheap attorney.
The best way is, of course, word of mouth.
Short of that, I think your best bet is to look at issued patents (or even published applications) through the USPTO website or other service (e.g., Google Patents). In particular, try searching for patents in your technology area. Read a good sample of them. For the ones that you like, write down the firms listed on the front page of the patent. You can then Google the firms’ websites and get more information.
What is the point of having a patent or spending aon an attorney?
because you want to make money from it, or vanity.
If vanity, then any patent lawyer will do.
if money, then you are better to seek advice on a business plan first - a patent may not be the best way to protect your intellectual property at all.
