What documents are required for patent filing? The documents required for patent filing include- • Application for Grant of Patent; • Provisional/Complete Specification; • Statement and Undertaking Regarding Foreign Applications; • Declaration as to Inventorship; and • Form For Authorization of a Patent Agent in case a patent agent is representing an applicant Who can help me file a patent in India? Any person who is a Patent Agent registered with the Indian Patent Office can help to file a patent for any individual or an organization. As per the Indian patent act, only a patent agent registered with the Indian Patent Office is entitled to practice before the Controller, prepare all documents, transact all business and discharge any function as may be required in connection with any proceeding before the Controller which starts from the filing of the patent application and may end with the expiry of the patent.   Who is an Indian Patent Agent? A patent agent is a person authorized to interact with the patent office on behalf of his client.  He can file a patent application, prosecute the patent application and appear before the patent office or appellate board on behalf of his client. In India, only a person having a science, technology or an engineering degree can become a patent agent. In order to be registered as a patent agent, a person must clear the patent agent exam conducted by the patent office. Foreign citizens are not eligible to register as patent agents in India. What is the role of patent agent in the patent process?  An Indian patent agent is a person who has a good understanding of the Indian Patent Act and Rules. His knowledge can help in determining the potential of a patent grant for an invention. Additionally, an Indian Patent Agent has the necessary qualification to represent your invention before the Indian Patent Office. A patent agent can draft a patent specification for your invention in conformance with the Indian Patent Act and can also file a patent application for your invention. Post filing, he can also prosecute the patent application by responding to examination reports issued by the patent office and attend hearings in the patent office, if required. Furthermore, he will address various statutory requirement set forth by the Indian Patent Office. Do I need to file a patent through a patent agent in India? You do not have to file a patent application through a patent agent. A patent application may be filed by the inventor or applicant directly. However, it is advisable to go through a patent agent, who is well advised about the procedures and has experience with prosecuting patent applications. What is the difference between a patent agent and a patent attorney? A patent agent is a person who has cleared the patent agent exam conducted by the Indian patent office and has been registered with the Indian Patent Office as a patent agent. A patent agent can draft patent applications, file for patents and appear in proceedings before the Indian patent office, on behalf of a patent applicant. A patent attorney, on the other hand is a lawyer enrolled at one of the Bar Councils in India in addition to being a patent agent. This means that the patent attorney can not only carry out all the activities of a patent agent but he can also represent a party in a patent litigation in Courts.

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