Often Patent Lawyers are confused with Patent Attorneys.
However were you aware that in Australia there is a specialised Patent Attorney Law Degree which is different to a General Law Degree.
A Patent Attorney is a speciality and once qualified a Patent Attorney drafts, files, advises and prosecutes patents for inventions , ideas and innovations.
Additionally, when there are infringements, Patent Attorneys advise on what to do and can represent in Court, although they usually form part of the legal team in most cases.
Patent Attorneys have the Right of Privilege in their communication with clients on intellectual property matters.
Privilege means a Patent Attorney can discuss any aspect of a client’s business in complete confidentiality.
Attorneys are not compelled to reveal elements of these discussions – or advice given – in any court.
The other difference with a lawyer or solicitor, is that a Patent Attorney has to have a separate technology Degree (usually with Honors or PhD), in Science, Engineering, Software, etc.
To qualify to Register as a Patent Attorney, they must have the technology Degree and have the Patent Attorney qualify, then they apply to Register as a Patent Attorney through the Professional Standards Board.