Time We Discuss: Become a Registered Patent Agent
Watch/Listen to this Episode Become a Registered Patent Agent
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.
Links from the Show
- Superior Patent Group
- Tricia Copeland (Author) website
- US Patent and Trademark Office
- National Association of Patent Practitioners
- National Eating Disorders Association
Also Mentioned in This Episode:
- From Chemist to Real Estate Agent
- Self-Published Author
- Becoming an Inventor, From Idea to Success
- Freelance Book Editor - How to Turn Your Passion Into a Career
- A Day in My Life in Public Relations | Public Relations and Risk Management
- What You Need to Know to Start a Design or Marketing Agency
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