IP Services: USA

Although a UK patent or trade mark attorney can offer some advice and services not just for the UK and Europe but for many other countries, it often makes sense to consult a local practitioner. That is particularly true of the USA because American patent, trade mark, design, copyright and trade secrets law and practice are very different from ours.

There are many advantages in protecting intellectual assets in the USA. The USA remains the largest market for our goods and services outside the EC. Americans still speak our language, though Spanish is rapidly catching up. It is very much easier to obtain patents for software related, and business method, inventions in the USA than it is here. It is very much cheaper to obtain continent-wide patent, trade mark or design protection for North America than it is for the EC. Patent claims are construed more favourably to patentees by US courts and they are less risky to enforce because costs do not usually follow the event and some litigation lawyers accept instructions on contingency fees.

The sharp distinction between barristers. solicitors, patent and trade mark attorneys that exists here does not really exist in the USA. It is usually possible to obtain advice, advocacy, drafting, litigation, patent, trade mark and design prosecution services from the same firm and sometimes even the same person.

Professional fees in the USA are not generally higher than they are here and in some cases they can be substantially lower. For that reason, US patent attorneys should be considered for the supply of at least some professional services outside the USA.


IP Services: USA Although a UK patent or trade mark attorney can offer some advice and services not just for the UK and Europe but for many other countries, it often makes sense to consult a local practitioner. That is particularly true of the USA because American patent, trade mark, design, copyright and trade secrets law and practice are very different from ours. There are many advantages in protecting intellectual assets in the USA. The USA remains the largest market for our goods and services outside the EC. Americans still speak our language, though Spanish is rapidly catching up. It is very much easier to obtain patents for software related, and business method, inventions in the USA than it is here. It is very much cheaper to obtain continent-wide patent, trade mark or design protection for North America than it is for the EC. Patent claims are construed more favourably to patentees by US courts and they are less risky to enforce because costs do not usually follow the event and some litigation lawyers accept instructions on contingency fees. The sharp distinction between barristers. solicitors, patent and trade mark attorneys that exists here does not really exist in the USA. It is usually possible to obtain advice, advocacy, drafting, litigation, patent, trade mark and design prosecution services from the same firm and sometimes even the same person. Professional fees in the USA are not generally higher than they are here and in some cases they can be substantially lower. For that reason, US patent attorneys should be considered for the supply of at least some professional services outside the USA.