Patents R Us: Information and Services for Inventors and Patent Owners

Patent Litigation & Patent Enforcement for Patent Infringement

If you believe that your patent has been infringed, you have no real alternative other than launching a patent infringement lawsuit against the alleged infringer. While the Patent Office issues patents, it does not enforce patents. Patent enforcement, and pursuing patent infringers, is the responsibility of the patent owner, and it is done via civil litigation in the federal courts.

Patent Infringement Litigation Is Very Expensive: Among all types of litigation, patent infringement litigation is the second most expensive after anti-trust litigation. It is not a problem for a major corporation to launch a patent infringement lawsuit and pay a law firm hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars to pursue justice and compensation for them.  

Contingency Patent Infringement Litigation: However, there are patent litigators and patent enforcement firms that will represent patent owners on a contingency basis. The term “contingency” means that payment to the law firm or patent enforcement firm is “contingent” on the outcome of the litigation. They represent the patent owner at no cost, and are paid from the proceeds of any award or settlement that is generated by the litigation. If the law firm or patent enforcement firm fails to secure an award or settlement, the law firm or patent enforcement firm writes off all expenses related to the litigation.

Patent Litigation Law Firm versus Patent Enforcement Firm: A patent litigation law firm is exactly that – a law practice that specializes in patent litigation. A patent enforcement firm is not a law firm, but is a company that provides a comprehensive package of services that includes legal representation. A patent enforcement firm will manage the entire patent infringement litigation process, engage a law firm or several law firms to try the case, coordinate and supervise the law firms, finance all expenses, conduct research and hire expert witnesses, create demonstratives for the trial, conduct licensing negotiations and provide additional services. Both organizations work on a contingency basis, but a patent enforcement law firm provides many additional services.

How to Use Our Patent Litigator and Patent Agent Patent - Attorney Referral Services

• Need to Sue a Patent Infringer? Complete the form at the bottom of this page, and you will receive an e-mail with the names and contact information of patent litigators and/or patent enforcement firms that can assist you.

• Want to File a Patent Application? If you need assistance filing an application for a patent, use our Patent Agent and Patent Attorney Referral Service. Just complete our on-line form. The service is free. You will receive an e-mail with the names and contact information for patent agents and/or patent attorneys in your geographic area.

Patent Litigator - Patent Enforcement Firm Referral Request

Note: The Patent Litigator - Patent Enforcement Firm Referral Service is free and offered as a public service. We do not guarantee the performance of the law firms and patent enforcement firms we refer to users of this service. The same care should be taken in selecting a law firm or patent enforcement firm to represent you that would be taken in the selection of any other service provider.