US counsel of record for your US patent matters.
Since July 20, 2026, applicants and patent owners domiciled outside the United States are required to correspond with the USPTO through a registered patent practitioner. PatentDrafters serves as US counsel for non-US applicants and the patent firms that represent them.
A 20-minute initial consultation at no charge. Please do not share confidential invention details.
What We Handle for Non-US Applicants
US correspondence counsel
Appointment as the registered practitioner of record for your US applications and patents, with a US correspondence address, customer number, and power of attorney handled for each matter.
National phase and Paris Convention filings
Entry of PCT applications into the US national phase and filing of applications claiming priority to an application filed outside the US, including the declarations, assignments, and priority documents that accompany them.
Office action responses
Responses to US office actions and examiner interviews, informed by experience as a former USPTO examiner, with your instructions followed and a short report returned after each action.
Claim adaptation for US practice
Review of claims drafted for another jurisdiction and adaptation to US claim practice, including subject matter eligibility, written description, and claim form, before filing or in response to an office action.
Pending applications and issued patents
The rule applies to papers filed on or after July 20, 2026, in existing applications and on issued patents, not only to new filings. Representation can be taken up at any stage.
Working with your firm or agent
Patent firms and agents outside the US keep the client relationship. Instructions come from you, reporting goes to you, and fees are quoted per matter in writing.
From Appointment to Reporting
Conflicts check
Party names and the application or patent numbers involved. No client materials are shared until the check is clear.
Scope and fees in writing
The filings and responses to be handled, the reporting you expect, and the fees for each, agreed before work begins.
Appointment
Power of attorney and correspondence address filed with the USPTO, so papers are signed by a registered practitioner and entered into the record.
Prosecution and reporting
Filings, responses, and interviews handled on your instructions, with deadlines docketed and a report after each action.
How Engagements Are Supported
Direct attorney involvement, backed by the systems a technology company expects. The practice also carries professional liability insurance.
Capacity confirmed up front
Availability and schedule are confirmed in writing before an assignment is accepted, including for time-sensitive filings.
Docketed deadlines
USPTO deadlines are tracked in a professional docketing system.
Secure handling of materials
Technical materials are exchanged through a secure client platform, after conflicts are cleared and the engagement is in place.
Engineer. Examiner. Patent Attorney.
PatentDrafters is led by Brent Lindon, a registered patent attorney and former USPTO patent examiner, with about 10 years of electronics and software engineering, including with the U.S. Navy, before law.
Each filing and response is signed by a registered patent attorney and former USPTO examiner, on the instructions of the applicant or the instructing firm.
Read the full background →- Patent practice
- 15+ years
- Patent practice
- Applications drafted
- 500+
- Applications drafted
- Engineering
- 10 years
- Engineering
- Former examiner
- USPTO
- Former examiner
Questions From Non-US Applicants and Firms
What does the USPTO rule require?
Since July 20, 2026, applicants and patent owners domiciled outside the United States and its territories are required to be represented by a registered patent practitioner for correspondence with the USPTO. Papers filed without a registered practitioner's signature are not entered into the record. The rule applies to pending applications and issued patents as well as new filings.
Does the rule apply to provisional applications?
Yes. A provisional application filed by a non-US applicant without a registered practitioner's signature is still accorded a filing date, but later papers in the application are not entered without one.
Can you act as US counsel for a non-US patent firm's clients?
Yes. Non-US firms and patent agents instruct the work and keep the client relationship. PatentDrafters acts as the US practitioner of record and reports back to the instructing firm.
Do you translate applications?
No. Applications are expected in English. Where claims drafted for another jurisdiction need adapting to US practice, that work is scoped and quoted separately.
Which technologies do you take on?
Electrical and computer technologies and the systems built on them, including AI/ML, software, semiconductors, electronics, telecommunications, and networking. Selected consumer product, mechanical, and medical device matters are also accepted. Pharmaceutical, biotech, and chemical matters are referred to other counsel.
How are fees set?
Per matter, in writing, before work begins. Routine filings such as national phase entry can be quoted as fixed fees. Office action responses are quoted once the action has been reviewed.
Let's Discuss YourNext Patent Application.
Start with a no-charge initial consultation to discuss your goals, timing, and whether the practice is a fit. Technical details come later, after conflicts are cleared and an engagement is in place.
No charge for the initial consultation. Please share only party names until conflicts are cleared.
Prefer to start by email?
Please provide contact details and party names only. Do not send confidential, technical, or time-sensitive information.