In re Silver, Sup. Ct. of Texas, No. 16-1682, 8/10/2017
Communications between a patent agent and a client should enjoy the protections of an attorney-client privilege when those communications occur within the scope of a patent agent’s authority under the Patent Act, according to an AIPLA letter brief filed August 10, 2017, in the Supreme Court of Texas.
The letter brief cites Sperry v. State of Florida ex rel. Florida Bar, 373 U.S. 379 (1963), to show that a patent agent is a person authorized to practice federal law, satisfying the definition of a “lawyer” for privilege purposes under Texas rules of evidence. The letter brief also points to federal recognition of the patent agent privilege in In re Queen’s Univ. at Kingston, 820 F.3d 1287 (Fed. Cir. 2016).
Upcoming Events
-
2025 Women in IP Law Global Networking Event
April 3, 2025
The annual Global Networking Event connects intellectual property practitioners from around the world for a day of networking, education, and creating meaningful connections. This year’s theme, Innovation and Collaboration, is an opportunity for the AIPLA Women in IP Law Committee to come together and discuss how women drive innovation and foster collaboration in their workplace. -
World IP Day 2025
April 30, 2025 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Join AIPLA and partner organizations on April 30 in Washington, DC, for a special three-hour program to celebrate World Intellectual Property Day 2025. This annual international event is an opportunity to learn about the role that intellectual property (IP) rights play in encouraging innovation and creativity. The theme of this year’s celebration is “IP and Music: Feel the Beat of IP.”