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Time We Discuss: Become a Registered Patent Agent

Watch/Listen to this Episode Become a Registered Patent Agent Registered patent agent; Host of Time We Discuss is pointing to a picture of guest Tricia Copeland. Schematics for a  guitar are in the background.

In this episode of Time We Discuss, Dan interviews Tricia Copeland, a registered patent agent, who shares her experiences and insights into her profession and beyond. Tricia begins by explaining her role in helping inventors navigate the patent process, which includes conducting patent searches, drafting applications, and ensuring compliance with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) requirements. She highlights the distinction between patent agents and patent attorneys: both must pass the patent bar exam, but attorneys also complete law school and can perform additional legal functions such as writing contracts or representing clients in court.

Tricia describes the types of patents she handles, including provisional patents, which hold a place for a year without being reviewed, and utility and design patents, which require more detailed documentation and formal drawings. She emphasizes the importance of clarity and accuracy in patent drawings, explaining that they must meet USPTO standards. Her work spans diverse inventions, from high-tech solutions like magnetometers to practical tools created by individual inventors.

With a background in microbiology and a career start at DuPont, Tricia transitioned from scientific research to patent work after discovering her passion for technical writing. She later established her own practice, driven by her desire for flexibility and independence. Tricia highlights her success rate of 85%, which she attributes to thorough preliminary searches and her specialized expertise in biotech and chemistry.

Beyond her patent work, Tricia is a prolific self-published author with 22 books to her name. Her works span genres, including college romance, young adult fantasy, and dystopian fiction. She shares how writing began as a therapeutic and creative outlet, evolving into a serious endeavor supported by professional editing and design services. Tricia balances her dual careers by dedicating evenings to writing, treating it initially as a hobby and now as a supplementary profession with its own podcast and promotional activities.

We finish the conversation with Tricia discussing her involvement with the National Eating Disorders Association, an organization close to her heart due to her personal experience with anorexia. She actively participates in fundraising and promotes the organization's resources for individuals facing eating disorders. The episode provides a comprehensive look at Tricia's professional journey, her contributions to intellectual property law, and her creative and advocacy efforts.

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