By Jocelyn Davidson Patent is a protection provided by the government to an inventor to prevent an invention from malicious copying. In Corvallis, OR and other American states, patents normally last for a period of twenty years. Patent firms employ patent attorneys previously called agents to secure the patents and other intellectual rights. Besides understanding about patents and the laws that apply to them, one must also have an understanding of intellectual property law. Lawyers in this field can be employed by companies to provide advice concerning patents or they may work as self-employed entrepreneurs. The nature of the job depends on the nature of employment named above. Typically, the agent has to meet with clients and discuss the details of their invention and whether or not patents can be granted to them. This may involve traveling from one place to another The details discussed during meetings with clients include the depth of the invention and related patents fil...