QUESTION
Do patent lawyers usually form partnerships? How?
Asked on Sep 14th, 2015 on Patents - Nebraska
More details to this question:
I’ve just invented several different innovative lines of retail products. These solve problems and there's nothing like them anywhere, worldwide. I'm looking to partner up with a local patent attorney. Not sure about what type of partnership yet. I'm open to suggestions/options. I'd like a patent attorney and/or consultants to evaluate the value of all 3 of my provisional patents and accompany/represent me during negotiations with companies and license agreements. This is a huge opportunity to be a part of my team. All 3 of my inventions will make a ton of money worldwide because they all solve problems. Let’s meet so you can see my prototypes and patent files. After you see them, you'll see their value and want to be involved!
2 ANSWERS
Appellate Litigation Attorney serving Boston, MA
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Banner & Witcoff, Ltd.
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Typically NO - patent attorneys do not form partnerships with their inventor/clients. There are multiple ethical issues in such a partnership - all making it a very bad idea. Look for funding elsewhere - then hire your patent attorney. You can pay by the hour, or maybe get a set fee for each case. Note - the inventor must cover filing fees paid to the Patent Office. Each foreign case will cost up to $10,000. GOOD LUCK!
Answered on Sep 15th, 2015 at 7:34 AM
Attorneys are barred from the kind of arrangement you're considering because it would violate the professional code of ethics they are required to abide by. An attorney who has a financial interest in a business or a patent would have a serious conflict of interest between taking actions that would best benefit him or herself and advising the client/partner about what would be the best for the business.
Answered on Sep 15th, 2015 at 1:12 AM