Katana VentraIP

Patent attorney

A patent attorney is an attorney who has the specialized qualifications necessary for representing clients in obtaining patents and acting in all matters and procedures relating to patent law and practice, such as filing patent applications and oppositions to granted patents.

Terminology[edit]

The term "patent attorney" is used differently in different countries and thus may or may not require the same legal qualifications as a general legal practitioner.


The titles patent agent and patent lawyer are also used in some jurisdictions. In some jurisdictions, the terms are interchangeable; in others, the latter is used only if the person is qualified as a lawyer.


The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the International Federation of Intellectual Property Attorneys (FICPI) propose since 2022 a Patent Drafting Training Program to enhance the knowledge and skills of professionals, such as patent agents, who wish to strengthen their patent drafting skills.[1][2]

Role[edit]

A study analyzing patent examination decisions at major patent offices shows that patent attorney firms play a crucial role in the prosecution process, especially in less codified and rapidly changing technology areas such as ICT.[3]

  • or equivalent: a C grade in at least two higher level subjects (or ordinary level B grade) and a D grade in at least three other subjects
  • First-year university (or equivalent) education in engineering, chemistry, or physics
  • Employment for at least 3 years in the office of a registered patent agent in an EU member state
  • Success at the following examinations:
  • Irish law and practice of patents (set by Irish Patents Office)
  • Drafting of patent specifications (set by United Kingdom's JEB, Advanced Paper P3)
  • Amendment of patent specifications (set by United Kingdom's JEB, Advanced Paper P4)
  • Infringement and validity (set by United Kingdom's JEB, Advanced Paper P6)

    • Leaving Certificate

    Notable patent attorneys and agents[edit]

    See List of patent attorneys and agents, including fictional characters who are patent attorneys.

    (epi)

    European Patent Institute

    (FICPI)

    International Federation of Intellectual Property Attorneys

    Patent engineer

    Patent examiner

    Power of attorney

    Trademark attorney

    Patent & Trade Mark Attorneys

    Institute of Professional Representatives before the European Patent Office

    USPTO database of patent attorneys and agents

    New Zealand patent office

    Intellectual Property Office of Singapore

    List of Registered Patent Agents in India as of April 2010