The Patent Practitioner and His Functions

Abstract

Abstract This chapter focuses on patent practitioners and their functions. Patent practitioners are persons whose profession is to draft and prosecute patent applications, and to advise generally about patent matters. They may be employed by companies or be in private practice, and they may, in different countries, have different types of qualification. Basically, however, their job is to help inventors obtain valid patents for their inventions. In order to do this, patent practitioners must have both scientific and legal training, so that they can understand both the technical background of the invention, and the patent law and practice of at least their own country. The chapter discusses the patent profession in the UK, US, and other countries; training and certification for European patent attorneys, patent practitioners in private and industrial practice, and the job of the patent practitioner.