The Importance of IT in IP

A great patent attorney is one that has built a quality reputation via years of experience and a successful track record.  At this level, the determining factor of which attorney to use is often dictated by their area of expertise and bar admission rather than capability.  However, due to the ever evolving advancements in technology, I propose to include another factor: tech savviness.  I don't mean to suggest that they possess the ability to draft a patent application using solely keyboard commands (that's super difficult) while texting on their smart phone and emailing via tablet, but that their familiarization with technology can be an asset to a client as this skill can significantly improve efficiency.

How does one determine tech savviness?  One way is to listen to the words being used.  Is the term "block and copy" used?  This is an old term that is often used to refer to "copy and paste."  Do they know what keyboard shortcuts are?  Do they make notes in the electronic copy or print it out and write on the paper?  Do they know how to convert a PDF into a Word document?  Do they know it's even possible?  Can they email from their smart phone?    

Though nothing can replace experience, tech savviness can make experience more efficient.

-The Harbor Consulting Team