Patent Agent

A Patent Agent is a legal-domain professional worker that is a technical professional that can prosecute patent applications before the USPTO.

• AKA: Registered Patent Agent, Patent Practitioner, Non-Attorney Patent Professional.
• Context:
  • It can typically prepare Patent Application Documents through patent drafting processes.
  • It can typically respond to Patent Office Actions using patent prosecution strategy.
  • It can typically conduct Patent Prior Art Searches through patent database systems.
  • It can typically advise on Patent Claim Scope through patent analysis methods.
  • It can typically manage Patent Prosecution Deadlines through patent docketing systems.
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  • It can often require USPTO Registration through patent bar examination.
  • It can often maintain Patent Technical Knowledge through continuing education.
  • It can often collaborate with Patent Inventors for disclosure preparation.
  • It can often specialize in Patent Technology Areas through domain expertise.
  • ...
  • It can range from being a Junior Patent Agent to being a Senior Patent Agent, depending on its patent prosecution experience.
  • It can range from being a Specialized Patent Agent to being a General Patent Agent, depending on its patent technical expertise.
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  • It can work independently or within Patent Law Firms.
  • It can serve Patent Clients without providing legal advice.
  • It can focus exclusively on Patent Prosecution Matters.
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• Example(s):
  • Patent Agent Registration Types, such as:
    • USPTO-Registered Patent Agent for US patent prosecution.
    • Foreign Patent Agent for international filing.
    • Limited Recognition Patent Agent for specific proceeding.
  • Patent Agent Specialization Areas, such as:
    • Software Patent Agent for software inventions.
    • Biotechnology Patent Agent for life science patents.
    • Mechanical Patent Agent for mechanical devices.
    • AI/ML Patent Agent for artificial intelligence patents.
  • Patent Agent Practice Settings, such as:
    • Law Firm Patent Agent within patent prosecution group.
    • Corporate Patent Agent for in-house patent department.
    • Solo Practice Patent Agent for independent practice.
  • ...
• Counter-Example(s):
  • Patent Attorney, which requires law degree and bar admission.
  • Patent Paralegal, which cannot independently prosecute patent applications.
  • Patent Examiner, which reviews rather than prosecutes patent applications.
• See: Legal-Domain Professional Worker, USPTO, Patent Prosecution, Patent Bar Exam, Patent Professional.

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