Dimitri Dovas presents to a group of patent professionals at Beijing Sanyou Intellectual Property Agency Ltd., Beijing, China.
During the months of May and June 2006, Dovas Law presented on-site patent prosecution seminars to intellectual property law firms in Beijing, China. The seminars were aimed at increasing the awareness of Chinese patent professionals of the U.S. patent prosecution process.
The number of patent applications filed in China has grown to large numbers (over 300,000 in 2004). However, the number of patent applications filed in the U.S. naming Chinese inventors remains relatively low, less than 2000 filings in 2004. Cost is an overwhelming barrier for Chinese individuals and companies wishing to file for patent protection in the U.S. When it comes to paying the high fees of many U.S. law firms, the Chinese are at a significant disadvantage due in great part to the still undervalued Chinese currency. Accordingly, Chinese businesses are at a disadvantage in the technology driven global marketplace where protection of innovation is imperative to success.
Through the Dovas Law seminars, Chinese patent professionals gained a better understanding of U.S. patent prosecution. By providing Chinese patent professionals with the knowledge and tools to participate in the U.S. patent process, Dovas Law aims to reduce patent filing costs for the clients of Chinese law firms. With reduced cost, more Chinese companies and individuals can obtain U.S. patents and successfully enter the competitive U.S. marketplace.