What Is a Patent Agent? Patent agents are qualified to represent inventors in preparing and prosecuting patent applications with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. The USPTO is a federal organization that issues patents and registers trademarks. Although they are not attorneys, patent agents are required to pass the USPTO's national patent bar exam. They are not allowed to give legal counsel or represent clients in court, as these duties are reserved for lawyers who have graduated from law school and passed their state bar exam. A patent agent's duties also include preparing and submitting patent applications, assessing an invention's patentability, examining patent sales or licensing agreements, finding potential patent issues and intellectual property rights violations, and responding to communications from the USPTO. Are you a patent agent looking for a new opportunity? To find out more about our placement services for Patent Agents, contact redShift Recruiting!