Is it possible for a Patent Lawyer to steal your idea, patent it himself and leave you out in the cold?
Sunday, May 4th, 2008 at
12:09 am
curious asked:
I’m seeing a patent lawyer soon and was just wondering if there was a law to protect myself in the off chance something like that actually happened.
I’m seeing a patent lawyer soon and was just wondering if there was a law to protect myself in the off chance something like that actually happened.
Tagged with: Off Chance • Patent Idea • Patent Lawyer
Filed under: Lawyer FAQ
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It is possible, but attorneys live and breath by a strict code of conduct. Should they do this, they can be disbarred even without a conviction. Keep all paperwork — that is how you can protect yourself.
Before you see the lawyer, make a copy of the idea and mail it to yourself, but when it comes, don’t open the envelope. If the lawyer does steal the idea, you will have a copy of your idea with the postmaked date which would be before the lawyer did anything with it.
It’s possible, but not likely. As others have mentioned, there is a very stringent code of conduct that attorneys – in all areas of law, not just patent law – must adhere to.
yes, the would do it indirectly. they would use someone else to file your claim or a variation there off and he would have a bind contract with perhaps a shell corp. for him to get the majority of the profits. you can only pray for luck to keep from being fleeced anytime you interact with a lawyer. it some with the territory. they are there to make money, big money, and they are taught in law school to skin ‘em. it is like deep sea fishing the put out a shingle and an ad or tow and troll for Weeks until they get a bit. as “race horse Hines” is alledged to say, “… then you cafefully but surely reel thm in. thats how you get rich.” doctors are just as bad. these self annoited arrogant priests plus lawyers are business men without any conscience. beware and lol.
Most lawyers aren’t going to be interested in stealing your idea. However if they do and you can prove the idea was yours and that they stole it from you. They can be sued. Plus this is unethical and they can be disbarred for unethical conduct.