This word means all the monopoly rights granted under the names of Patent Letters, Trademarks and Design Patents.
The Patent protects during 20 years an invention when three criteria are matched : absolute novelty, non-obviousness and industrial use.
The Trademark protects during 1O years (renewable) a name and/or a logotype for designating a product or a service.
The Design Patent protects during 25 years (renewable one time) a design or a shape having no technical function.
The Patent Attorney handles the total prosecution and procedure for the Inventor or the author during all the life of the Title (searches, drafting, filing, granting, renewal, license, assignment, know-how transfer, infringement,...).
The Patent Attorney also handles legal prosecution about other similar rights (copyright including rights about software, rights related to semi-conductor topologies or to vegetal obtention).
The job of Patent Attorney in France is legally defined, as the one of general Attorney or of a Doctor of Medicine. It implies legal obligations like an absolute confidentiality or not having Clients with divergent interests.