My name is James Yang. I'm a patent attorney and an engineer. I also wrote navigating the patent system to help inventors like you get through the patent process. Today, I'm going to let you know what patent attorneys really do
From the client's perspective. I answer questions. I give recommendations. I prepare patent applications. I also get them their granted patents and registered trademarks, but behind the scenes, let me tell you what I really do as a patent attorney.
First, I listen. I listen to clients intensely. Clients really love their inventions, and they tend to tell me more information than needed. But sometimes an off the cuff comment is more important than everything else they just told me. By listening, I can answer the question behind their questions.
Next, I stop them from wasting their time and money. This is where the client saves a lot of money. If a client wants me to do something, but I don't get the logic behind it, we get an into a discussion. And this is how it typically occurs. People in an effort to save money, do their own internet research and figure out how their issue can be solved.
After hours of research, they decide that if they can get one thing done, then everything will be fine. So they just ask me to do that one thing. But the problem with this approach is that the solution oftentimes requires a much broader and more complex understanding of the circumstances. So what I do is I stop the client and we discuss their situation to see if what they're asking me to do will give them what they want.
If it's a, yes, we do it. If it's a no, we figure out a solution. It's at that point, I've just saved them money and time.
The next thing I do is I give clients an honest assessment about their inventions. If you're duck, your invention is ugly, I'll tell you in plain and simple terms, some inventors really need it because their friends and family are too nice that they won't tell them the truth.
I don't want you to waste your money going after something that won't make you money than you spend.
I also make myself available to my clients. Clients don't hire associates down the hall. With me, they get a trusted resource who's available to them.
But the number one thing that I get to do, and it's the most gratifying part of my profession is - I get to know my clients BEYOND just the invention.
I've been blessed to meet some really special people. Our relationship becomes much more than just a business transaction. Of course it takes time. Sometimes it takes years. We have to spend that time to learn that we can trust each other. But eventually we get to know our hobbies, our kids, our likes, and our dislikes. Yes, getting to learn about all the cool stuff is nice. I've had the opportunity to learn from some of the brightest minds, but still better than that are the relationships with my clients.
I'm not sure what other patent attorneys do, but at the end of the day, I want you to know what I do.
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0:00 Introduction 0:17 10. Answer Questions 0:19 9. Give recommendations 0:20 8. Prepare patent applications 0:22 7. Procure granted patents 0:25 6. Procure registered trademarks 0:26 5. Listen 0:51 4. Stop clients from wasting time and money 1:44 3. Give honest assessments 2:04 2. Make myself available 2:13 1. Develop relationships
Disclaimer: This resource is not a substitute for legal counsel. By using this information, you assume all responsibility. If you want to hire me as your legal counsel, please schedule a consultation by calling me at (949) 433-0900 or using my online calendar (https://ocpatentlawyer.as.me/).
