Charlotte Patent Attorneys & Lawyers for Hire
How it Works
Ross Brandborg
David Yamaguchi
Ali Shalchi
Joel Douglas
Samuel Pierce
Niq Howard
Ken Emanuelson
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Sara Sass
Monica Winghart
Peter Krehbiel
Charlotte Patent Lawyers for Hire
Why Hire a Patent Attorney?
You do not need to have an attorney to file a patent. The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) will allow you to file your patent by yourself, but most business professionals find this isn't the best plan. As an entrepreneur, your intellectual property is one of your most valuable assets. Make sure you're protecting it properly by hiring a patent attorney to guide you through the process. Your patent attorney will help you navigate the many complexities in the process.
- Determining Whether You Can File a Patent: You can't patent just any idea or invention. You must complete a U.S. patent search to determine whether your concept already has a patent. This is best done by a professional who can ensure your patent will pass review with the USPTO so your work filing is not in vain.
- Choosing Between Provisional and Nonprovisional Patents: Provisional patents do not provide full protection for your property. An examiner does not review them, and they have no claims section, which defines the scope of the parent. A nonprovisional patent is more complex to file, but it offers enforceable claims and leads to a USPTO-issued patent.
- Navigating the Complexities of a Nonprovisional Patent: A nonprovisional patent is the end goal for most inventors. However, this is extremely difficult to file on your own. A single mistake in the lengthy application process will result in your patent being thrown out. A qualified patent attorney in Charlotte can help you complete the nonprovisional patent application correctly.
- Preparing You to File for Patent Protection in Foreign Countries: You must file for patent protection in foreign countries within one year of filing your original patent application. If you're planning to do this yourself, you may face snags in the application process that slow you down and cause you to miss this crucial window. A patent attorney will help you stay on track.
Working with a top Charlotte, North Carolina, patent attorney will ensure your patent is filed correctly and in a timely manner. This leaves you free to focus on the next stage of your business or product development.
How to Find the Best Patent Attorney
Patent attorneys must have a well-rounded educational background to practice this type of law. They have to pass the patent bar exam to represent clients before the USPTO and have a degree in a technical discipline that will qualify them as an expert in that area.
Patent law is an area of exclusive federal law. Thus, an unlicensed attorney can maintain an office in Charlotte or work for a North Carolina law firm. However, the attorney must indicate in any public communication that he or she is not licensed in North Carolina. You can still work with a patent attorney who is licensed in another state. However, it's a good idea to choose one who is licensed with the North Carolina State Bar for your Charlotte patent. You can also make sure the lawyer is in good standing with the state bar before hiring him or her.
In addition to patent law, your chosen attorney should have an extensive knowledge of the technical area that's most applicable to your patent. Patent attorneys hold a diverse range of degrees and may have backgrounds in electrical engineering, chemistry, mechanical engineering, pharmacology, or another area. If you're patenting an electrical invention, choose an attorney with a background in engineering. If you're hoping to patent a health care product, an attorney with a degree in pharmacology is better suited to your needs.
The USPTO maintains a directory of active patent attorneys in the Charlotte, North Carolina, area. If you use another search method, make sure the person you find is a patent attorney and not a patent agent or someone offering patent services. Patent agents may have more knowledge of the patent process than a general layperson. However, they don't have the legal background that an attorney has. Patent agents cannot advise on patent infringement or patent licensing. Also, they have no knowledge of other areas of business law, as your patent attorney might.
When choosing a patent attorney, make sure he or she has adequate experience to handle the complexity and competition level of your patent. If there are many similar patents in your area, choose an attorney with a proven history of working with challenging patents.
Questions for a Patent Attorney
- What costs will I incur for your services?
- Do you offer a free initial consultation?
- Do we need to meet in person, or are you comfortable exchanging documents online and working through phone and email?
- Do you complete the patent search yourself or delegate this task to a patent searcher? If a patent searcher is used, what is his or her background and level of experience?
- Will you provide a patentability opinion in writing?
- Do you work with independent inventors often?
If you're looking to file a patent in Charlotte, North Carolina, the right attorney is a valuable asset who will streamline the process.
Why use UpCounsel to hire a Charlotte Patent Attorney?
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Legal Services Offered by Our On-Demand Charlotte Patent Attorneys
Our experienced Charlotte patent attorneys & lawyers represent individuals and businesses throughout the world with domestic and foreign patent preparation and prosecution matters. They have extensive experience handling applications from nearly every sector of technology, including biotechnology, computer hardware and software, communication networks, internet systems and methods, automotive, medical equipment, construction technology, consumer electronics, and clean technology research and development.
Our patent attorneys are of the most highly trained in the industry, requiring a scientific background, and passing a second level of testing known as the Patent Bar Examination. Thousands of patents are submitted to the patent office every day and a patent committee reviews each patent for its validity. The process requires that correctly drafted documentation present a clear case for the novelty of the invention, which is best made by a patent attorney with a higher education background in your industry.
Our Charlotte patent attorneys & lawyers can help you file a provisional patent, which lasts for 1-year and allows you to immediately begin using/manufacturing your invention with the confidence that your idea is protected. These types of patents are great if you think your idea will change a lot over the next year before you file a (non-provisional) patent. These patents are easier to obtain and are less expensive but you should have a patent lawyer review your provisional patent application to insure that you are meeting your objectives when you file your patent.
Improve Your Legal ROI with Affordable Patent Attorneys that service Charlotte, NC.
What Our Customers Have to Say
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"Every startup needs to know about UpCounsel. We found great attorneys at great prices and were able to focus our resources on improving our business instead of paying legal bills."
"Before UpCounsel it was hard for us to find the right lawyer with the right expertise for our business. UpCounsel solves those problems by being more affordable and helping us find the right lawyer in no time."
This is the most recent 20 reviews out of 32 reviews for Patents attorneys in North Carolina
Other Patent Matter Services
"In an impressively short window of time Kanika devised not only the correct legal insight but more importantly the most succinct and least escalatory way to solve a legal issue."
Patrick H
.
Durham,
NC,
7 months ago
Patent Consultation
"Great person to work with and very knowledgeable. Will like to work with him again in the future."
Worth S
.
Mooresville,
NC,
8 months ago
Assist with Other Patent Matter
"Very pleased with their PPA provided. Very reasonable price"
Robert C
.
Fuquay Varina,
NC,
about 1 year ago
Patent Infringement Consultation
"Very fast response! Communication was clear and concise. Ross is obviously very well read in his craft. Not only gave me what I asked for, but also provided further advice for resolving my issue!"
Raphael C
.
Indian Trail,
NC,
over 1 year ago
File Design Patent
"Easy to work with, knowledgable and quick turnaround."
Nathan M
.
Hendersonville,
NC,
almost 2 years ago
File Utility Patent
"Mr Eldredge has done an incredible job of writing my utility patent. He provided prompt clear communications, and took the time to fully understand my concept so that the best possible patent and claims could be submitted to the USPTO. I would certainly recommend Mr Eldredge to anyone who required any type of patent or IP services."
John F
.
Apex,
NC,
almost 3 years ago
Provisional Patent for Shin Splint Sandal
"Alexis is absolutely incredible, his personal character combined with his professional poise have been immeasurable for me with filing this application with the USPTO. Highly recommend working with him if you need patent services."
Phillip V
.
Raleigh,
NC,
over 3 years ago
Patent Infringement Consultation
"Very informative and helpful review for opinion on patent infringement."
Kevin C
.
Locust,
NC,
over 3 years ago
Patent Consultation
"Alexis is very easy to work with and he expedited my patent application"
Noel S
.
Fayetteville,
NC,
over 3 years ago
Non-Provisional Patent
"Fantastic and knowledgeable patent attorney. Wouldn't hesitate to use her office again."
Thomas L
.
Hendersonville,
NC,
almost 4 years ago
Patent Consultation
"Working with Ms. Felix has been exactly what I was hoping for. She has shown interest and enthusiasm for my project, but also provided detailed and realistic expectations. Her overall grasp of the medical and clinical understanding that she needed for my patent application has thus far exceeded my expectations. I feel confident in her advice as we move forward."
Sarah M
.
Raleigh,
NC,
about 4 years ago
Provisional Application
"This was the second job Richard was able to complete for me and it was seamless. The quality and accuracy of my application did lack in any way!"
Shanna P
.
Winston Salem,
NC,
over 4 years ago
Patent Search Services
"Richard has been excellent in service and I hope to continue to work with him."
Shanna P
.
Winston Salem,
NC,
over 4 years ago
Non-Provisional Patent
"Richard and his team are great. Excellent communication and a real desire to help. Highly recommended."
Michael M
.
Charlotte,
NC,
about 5 years ago
Other Patent Matter
"Richard was prompt and great to work with"
Keith S
.
Rutherfordton,
NC,
about 5 years ago
Conduct Patent Search
"Very helpful and knowledgeable"
Keith S
.
Rutherfordton,
NC,
about 5 years ago
Conduct Patent Search
"Prompt, Professional, Clear and precise! Just what I was looking for in a patent attorney. Thanks so much!"
Jeff J
.
Wilmington,
NC,
about 5 years ago
Provisional Patent
"Easy to work with. Quick."
Michael M
.
Charlotte,
NC,
over 5 years ago
Assist with Other Patent Matter
"Richard and his team did an excellent job in preparing my patent application. He provided helpful insight and worked in a very timely and responsive manner."
Betsy B
.
Durham,
NC,
over 5 years ago
15 Minute Patent Consultation
"Very efficient and pragmatic"
Merouane B
.
Winston Salem,
NC,
over 6 years ago