Our Character and the Services we provide.
AFFORDABLE, CONFIDENTIAL, HONEST, and DILIGENT.
As an inventor seeking to develop and patent an invention or idea, one needs knowledgeable, honest, dependable and aggressive sources for various patenting services. We are it. Western Patent Group was formed by me, Chris Whewell, an independent inventor who was unhappy with the high prices, runaround, and indefinite statements I got from various "professionals" when I patented my inventions. So I became a Patent Agent.
I began conducting patenting searches in 1990, and in 1993 I began writing patent applications and providing consulting to inventors and small businesses. My knowledge base is very broad from study and experience in several different fields, as you can see from the patents I have written for others and authored for myself. Just ask and I'll send you a list.
As a Registered Agent of the US Patent and Trademark Office, I can represent inventors in patent matters in the US Patent Office. My experiences as a private inventor, as a member of various Inventor's Associations, as a researcher, as a member of the Patent Bar, eight years negotiating contracts with corporate attorneys, have earned me valuable business insights. I am a pragmatist.
One of the easiest ways to save money on patenting an invention is to engage the services of an experienced Registered Patent Agent instead of hiring a lawyer, but be careful since many "patent agents" lack experience. The use of an appropriate Patent Agent can sometimes reduce the costs of obtaining patent protection by half. Registered Patent Agents have a college degree in a technical discipline, and have demonstrated competency on the stringent bar Examination given by the U.S. Patent Office. Accordingly, the government licenses them to represent inventors in patent-related matters. (A Patent Attorney is a Registered Patent Agent, but in addition a Patent Attorney is also a member of a State Bar Association. This permits them to represent Clients in courtroom proceedings and matters relating to state law.) But, it is important to realize that to going to court and many state law related activities are not normally necessary to obtain a patent on an invention. Often, everything is done before the Patent Office. Therefore, if one hires a Patent Attorney to help them obtain a patent, they may be enlisting and paying for the ability of a Patent Attorney to provide services they may not really need. Example, many Patent Attorneys are inexperienced at litigation. This is because patent litigation is a very complicated matter and patent litigators are a highly-specialized breed of individuals who rarely write patent applications. This begs the question of how can one justify paying the big bucks for the services of a Attorney whose additional credentials over an Agent enable them to litigate, when they never litigate anyway ?
Of course, there are a many brilliant Patent Attorneys out there, some of whom I am fortunate to know and may refer you to if I can't help you. But I want and deserve your business, and I can save you money. If it ever comes to where you need a lawyer, I'd be happy to refer you to one whom I would use myself.
Our PATENT SEARCHES are top notch thorough at an extremely reasonable rate. You may see other firms advertise patent searches for $ 100-200. I personally believe these searches are of little value. Although you might save a couple hundred bucks on a cheap search, you may lose valuable length of your patent term at extra delay in addition to added costs. DON'T be fooled by cheap searches - they are not worth your time or money. Consider what John Ruskin (1819-1900) said:
"It is unwise to pay too much, but it is worse to pay too little. When you pay too much, you lose a little money - that is all. When you pay too little, you sometimes lose everything because the thing you bought was incapable of doing the thing it was bought to do. The common law of business balance prohibits paying a little and getting a lot - it cannot be done. If you deal with the lowest bidder, it is well to add something for the risk you run, and if you do that you will have enough to pay for something better."
All searches are performed by either myself or my top-notch Associate in whom I have full confidence. I take my high standards of professional and ethical responsibility very seriously, and I think you will be happy when you enlist our assistance. I don't generally hesitate to sign confidentiality agreements at the request of Clients (some other service providers won't sign them - beware) and I will do whatever is reasonably necessary to make you comfortable.
Although highly professional, I tend to deal in a somewhat casual format. My goal is: 1) to get you a patent quickly at the lowest price consistent with high quality; and 2) to provide you with good resources which will help you sell your invention as quickly as possible. Unlike most other intellectual property service providers, we are willing to provide you with references. Chances are there is someone in your State whom we have served.
We are not an "invention marketing" outfit. If you need a marketing outfit, we know of some good ones whom we would be happy to point you towards. But be extra careful. There are many marketing companies out there who are scams and give little in return for good money. Call us if you are thinking of hiring one of these types of firms, and we'll try to direct you to a reputable one.
Our services cover many types of inventions: machines, articles of manufacture, processes. We also have good sources for patent drawings, trademarks, and copyrights.
Please contact us for further information. We consider it a privilege to be of service to you, and will do whatever it takes to add you to our growing list of satisfied clients. We are not an agency of any government or governmental organization.
If you can think of any way we can be of better service to you as an inventor, please let me know.
Thank you for visiting.
with kind regards,
Christopher J. Whewell
Registered Patent Agent
chrisw@patentsearcher.com
(512) 763-1142
Important Notice: Use of this
website will not establish an attorney-client, agent-client, or other commercial
relationship, and such a relationship will only exist if and after an engagement letter
has been signed. No representations or
warranties are made with respect to any of the information contained within this website,
and particularly in reference to its accuracy or suitability for any purpose. The material contained within this website and its
links is for general information purposes only, and shall not be construed as legal
advice; nor should it be relied upon in place of seeking legal advice relative to your
individual situation from a qualified Patent Practitioner or Counsel.
Since the law is always evolving, the information contained within this website may not always be current with the most recent changes.