Patent Grove LLC is dedicated to providing small businesses across the globe in with quality patent agent services. We provide comprehensive, professional patent agent services in a reduced stress atmosphere.  Our services include U.S. utility and design patent applications, international applications under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), and management of U.S. and multi-national patent portfolios.

Interested? You are welcome to contact us to arrange for a free one-hour consultation.

Tomas Friend, Ph.D. is a seasoned patent agent registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) with experience as a corporate intellectual property manager, Patent Examiner, and University professor.

Languages: English, Swedish, German

Registered patent agents and registered patent attorneys are collectively referred to as “patent practitioners” or “patent representatives.”

A patent agent is registered to practice before the USPTO and must demonstrate technical training and pass the USPTO Registration Exam, which tests knowledge of U.S. patent law and USPTO practice.  Once registered, a patent agent can represent applicants in all USPTO matters including writing and filing US patent and Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) applications, filing responses to office actions, filing appeals and assignments, and post-grant procedures such as re-issue applications, reexaminations, inter partes reviews, and post-grant reviews.

A patent attorney is registered to practice before the USPTO in the same way as a patent agent. In addition, a patent attorney is a member in good standing of the bar of one or more United States courts.  A patent attorney may practice law, for example, to represent clients during litigation and prepare licensing agreements.  A patent attorney is also needed for a freedom to operate opinion and to assist clients with trade secrets, for example.
Patent agents and patent attorneys are governed by the code of professional conduct established by the USPTO’s Office of Enrollment and Discipline.

Filing a trademark application at the USPTO is a completely different process from filing a patent application. Many applicants hire a Trademark Attorney specializing in trademark matters, to represent them and to provide legal advice.  Some applicants for trademarks represent themselves and file Trademark applications online.  A USPTO trademark examining attorney examines applications for trademarks and can help applicants through the trademark process but cannot give legal advice.