Overview

About Patrick Richards

Richards Patent Law is a Chicago, IL area patent law firm serving individuals and businesses of all sizes. I work with clients from across the United States and around the world to prepare, file and prosecute patents at the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

I started Richards Patent Law after spending over eight years in the intellectual property group of the Chicago office of McDermott Will & Emery LLP, a large general practice firm where I concentrated my practice on patent prosecution, counseling, opinion work and litigation.

As a partner at McDermott, I managed international patent portfolios for several major corporations, as well as a number of small and medium sized businesses. I have experience in all phases of utility, design and PCT patent prosecution in many technical fields, including the areas of mechanical, electrical, computer systems, chemical and financial products technologies.

In addition to my extensive patent prosecution experience, I have counseled numerous clients on matters concerning: patent portfolio acquisition and management; patent portfolio licenses, sales and purchases; joint development agreements; freedom to practice opinions; patentability opinions; non-infringement opinions; and employment and non-compete agreements.

Representative technologies:
* computer software patents
* medical device patents
* dental device patents
* plastic packaging patents
* wireless networks patents
* electronic control systems patents
* electronic security systems patents
* automated electronic advertising systems patents
* electrolytic compositions and devices patents
* injection molding equipment patents
* machining and tooling instruments and products patents
* automotive technology patents
* advanced materials patents
* financial services and investments patents
* musical equipment patents
* business method patents
* green technology and sustainable technology patents

I earned my bachelors of science in civil engineering, with honors from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. I earned my law degree from the University of Virginia, School of Law. I am admitted to practice before the courts of Illinois and the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois and am registered to practice for the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

Practice Areas
Professional Experience
ExperienceYears
Principal, Richards Patent Law2008-Current
Partner, McDermott Will & Emery LLP2000-2008
Education
SchoolFocusDegreeYear
University of Virginia School of Law - J.D.2000
University of Illinois - Urbana-ChampaignCivil EngineeringB.S.1997
Honors: Graduated with Honors

Publications

Publications
TitlePublisherPublished
What is the Value of Intellectual Property?Richards Patent Law Website2010
Intellectual property rights (IP rights) are not inherently valuable. Their value is the strategic advantage gained by excluding others from using the intellectual property. To be valuable, your exclusionary rights should be strategically aligned with your business objectives. Without a strategic alignment, you may be wasting your investment and missing opportunities to capture valuable market advantages.
Alternative Fee Arrangements for Patent ServicesRichards Patent Law Website2009
Alternative fee arrangements require your lawyer to be flexible and creative, but these alternative arrangements can be a benefit for both the client and attorney. Since moving to a fixed fee structure, feedback from my clients has been universally positive. My clients' and my excitement for this alternative structure encourages me to look for other alternative arrangements that reduce structural limitations that may impede the attorney-client relationship while maintaining my ability to provide the highest quality legal services.
Can I Patent My Invention?Richards Patent Law Website2009
How Much Does a Patent Cost?Richards Patent Law Website2009
What are the Stages of the Patent Process?Richards Patent Law Website2009
What Type of Patent Application Should I File?Richards Patent Law Website2009

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