Patent Attorney and Founder
Today, we’re diving into an important question: should you stick with your law firm after getting a patent granted?
I’m JD Houvener, founder of Bold Patents Law Firm and author of Bold Ideas: The Inventor’s Guide to Patents. Over the past decade, I’ve had the privilege of helping thousands of inventors, and I’m excited to share my insights with you today.
Now, let’s break this down. Someone recently asked me, “I’m at the 7.5-year mark with my patent maintenance—do I still need to stay with the law firm? Aside from reminders, is there any real benefit?”
The short answer? No, but there are plenty of reasons why it makes sense to stay with your firm. Let’s go over five of them.
- The reminders – Running a business or managing a patent can be overwhelming. As an entrepreneur or inventor, you’re likely juggling a hundred tasks. At our firm, we handle the reminders and ensure that you never miss a critical deadline.
- Making the payment correctly – Patent maintenance fees can seem like a big chunk of money. But trust me, paying a couple hundred bucks to ensure everything is filed properly is a small price for keeping your patent secure. We make sure your payment is processed correctly, confirming everything is set for another 7 years of protection.
- Attorney of record – Staying with your firm means your attorney remains on record with the USPTO. If anything important happens, like official notices or changes in the law, your attorney will be there to help you navigate it. Though it’s rare, sometimes the USPTO or the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) sends out notices. It’s reassuring to know that if anything happens, you’ve got someone on your side to help you understand your rights and options.
- Staying updated on legal changes – Patent law evolves, and it’s good to have an expert in your corner to keep you informed. Whether it’s changes in case law or new legislation, your attorney can help you assess whether your patent is still valid and if you can enforce it against infringers.
- Building a relationship – Maintaining that client-attorney bond can also unlock future opportunities. For example, at our firm, active clients can get a free consultation on future inventions or any business challenges they’re facing. We’re always happy to chat about next steps and even provide referrals to other professionals in our network.
When you look at it, the small cost of staying with a firm for maintenance far outweighs the potential benefits. The peace of mind alone is worth it.
So, if you’ve been wondering whether to stay with your firm after your patent is granted, I hope this helps clear things up. Thanks for listening. I’m JD Houvener, and I wish you all the best on your patent journey.