Question 1

What do SJ Patents do?

Accepted Answer

I help businesses unlock their potential through effective patent protection.
I am able to see the patent application and opposition process from the eyes of a patent examiner. I know what that examiner is saying and why, and I know how to steer the process to give you the best chance of getting protection for your intellectual property.

Question 2

What can’t SJ Patents do?

Accepted Answer

With the best will in the world, I cannot make your invention new or inventive. I can, however, identify what could be new and inventive from that which has been invented, and I can use that information to streamline the patent application process.
I might also be able to help you avoid progressing along a path which will see all of your IP placed in the public domain without protection.

Question 3

Do SJ Patents work with companies globally?

Accepted Answer

With 14+ years patent examining experience, dealing with applicants and attorneys from many different countries. I embrace the diversity of working with people from different countries and cultures, and welcome anyone who would like assistance with their intellectual property.

Question 4

What do SJ Patents do that attorneys don’t?

Accepted Answer

I don’t draft applications. I leave that to the professionals. Our strengths lie in the ability to draw on experiences as patent examiners and to change the way applications are made, so involving us at an early stage, and involving us with your patent attorney I will give you the best chance of success.

Question 5

Will I have to pay an attorney?

Accepted Answer

Yes, or you can file in your own name.

Question 6

Is there a free consultation? What does it entail?

Accepted Answer

Yes. I can talk about your needs and requirements on a 30-minute call. I would suggest you refrain from presenting details which you wish to protect until I have a non-disclosure agreement in place. However, I can discuss the stage at which your intellectual property is at, and how I can help you from that point onwards.

Question 7

What successes have you had?

Accepted Answer

I have helped several clients with understanding the patent process and how best to proceed to protect their intellectual property with multiple patenting authorities..

Question 8

How does the process work?

Accepted Answer

I would need to clearly identify exactly at which stage your intellectual property protection is at, and what element is such that you believe it requires protection. From there, I can tell you how I would progress. The initial phase would be to ascertain exactly where you are with your current idea and any application(s) you have made.

Question 9

At what point would it be good for SJ Patents to come on board?

Accepted Answer

The sooner the better, preferably before an application has been drafted. I can help identify what is important, and how that should be presented in an application.

Question 10

How long does the process take?

Accepted Answer

An initial analysis can be done as quick as an hour if the application process is quite fresh. If you’ve had many replies from the examiner, then it may take longer, but generally it can be determined quite quickly what the state of the file is.
For pre-application work, it may take a little longer to talk to the relevant people involved in creating the foundation of your intellectual property, but it would be well spent time in order that the protection being sought is appropriate.

Question 11

How long will it take to do the work?

Accepted Answer

That depends on what needs to be done, of course, which I can discuss in the free consultation. It is difficult to put a number on an action, as it depends on so many factors, such as where you are in the procedure, how many claims you have, how much prior art is available, etc.

Question 12

What difference can you make?

Accepted Answer

With an extensive knowledge of the patent application process, borne from over 14 years working as a patent examiner at the EPO, I can interpret exactly what is happening to your file, see what sort of examiner you are dealing with, and determine the best course of action for your application.

Question 13

Can you recommend an attorney?

Accepted Answer

I am not in any form of partnership with any patent attorney or other law firm. However, after working in the industry for over 14 years, there are some patent law firms I would recommend over others, both in the UK and abroad. This, however, would essentially be your decision.

Question 14

What information do you need?

Accepted Answer

Depending on the stage of your application, I might need to know exactly what has been invented. I would need access to all of your application documents surrounding the substantive examination process, as well as copies of any prior art copies you have available.
I would also need to understand exactly what it is that you are hoping to achieve, and how you were hoping to achieve it.

Question 15

How long will it take to do the work?

Accepted Answer

This all depends on what needs to be done, and at which stage of your IP protection journey you are.Understanding a set of claims can be done quite quickly, as long as the number of claims is not unreasonable. Analysing a prior art document with respect to the claims can also be done quite quickly, as long as the document is available. However, a real in depth analysis of your application, with recommendations as to where you are heading and what needs to be done could take a little longer. It all comes down to your IP needs, which we can discuss in advance.

Question 16

What difference can you make?

Accepted Answer

The earlier in the IP protection process I come on board, the bigger the difference I can make. This could be the difference between getting effective protection to use your invention exclusively and having your entire IP made public without getting effective protection for what you have invested in.

Question 17

Can you recommend an attorney?

Accepted Answer

Although I do collaborate with any patent attorney firm, I have, in my 14+years experience as a patent examiner, experienced pretty much every type of patent attorney you could imagine, and even ones that you wouldn’t imagine! Most have been very professional, curious, and knowledgeable, but some have stood out above the others. With me on board, I can help identify how well you are being represented, and I would be able to help patent attorneys who are open to learning how to improve the service they offer. This is a situation which could be considered a win for all parties.

Question 18

What information do you need?

Accepted Answer

I will need access to your IP, and your thoughts as to what you want to or have invented. This must be done with the utmost confidentiality. With a track record of working in engine development of customer based projects, development and calibration of in-house projects, and in the secure and confidential environment of the European Patent Office, I fully understand the need for confidentiality and trust.

Question 19

How will we communicate?

Accepted Answer

For normal communication, email or telephone will suffice. For document exchange, including any reports I write, a secure document transfer is possible, as is sharing documents on secure cloud storage. It would be best to discuss this with you so as to identify a method which best suits your needs and requirements.

Question 20

What documentation is required?

Accepted Answer

I will need to sign a non-disclosure agreement. I am happy for you to provide this if you have one available. Without this, any disclosure you make will be legally judged to have been to the public domain. Signing a NDA removes me from that public domain, and defines a confidential private environment in which we communicate.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What do SJ Patents do?

What can’t SJ Patents do?

Do SJ Patents work with companies globally?

What do SJ Patents do that attorneys don’t?

Will I have to pay an attorney?

Is there a free consultation? What does it entail?

What successes have you had?

How does the process work?

At what point would it be good for SJ Patents to come on board?

How long does the process take?

How long will it take to do the work?

What difference can you make?

Can you recommend an attorney?

What information do you need?

How long will it take to do the work?

What difference can you make?

Can you recommend an attorney?

What information do you need?

How will we communicate?

What documentation is required?