Patent agent

A patent agent is a person who is not an attorney, but has the ability under law to legally represent an inventor or patent applicant when dealing with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. A patent agent must have the requisite scientific or engineering background or experience, and be registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Registration is obtained by passing a one-day written examination administered two times a year by the USPTO. Patent agents are required to abide by the same ethical rules and guidelines under the ABA that attorneys are subject to.