US20040225607A1 - System and method for up front billing of interest costs to law firm clients - Google Patents

Abstract

A computerized method and system for the payment of out-of-pocket fees such as patent and trademark fees is disclosed. The patent or trademark fee for a client of a firm is charged against an account maintained by an organization separate from the firm. A charge issued at a workstation at the firm is delivered to a patent or patent and trademark agency, or a foreign associate firm, where it is cashed against an account maintained by the separate organization. The firm bills the client for the fee, along with a service charge, while the separate organization bills the firm for the fee and the service charge. Payment from the client to the firm for the fee and service charge is then sent to the separate organization to cover the firm's bill from the separate organization. A law firm maintains its own account and uses a second account funded with a loan to pay the out-of-pocket costs. According to various example embodiments of the inventive subject matter disclosed herein, without limitation, method and apparatus are provided to monitor or make payments for a plurality of out-of-pocket costs for one or more clients of a law firm, to generate a separate charge in relation to each respective out-of-pocket cost wherein each charge is based substantially on the cost of financing a loan or other service to cover payment of the out-of-pocket costs. In another example embodiment, the respective charges are determined substantially at the same time the firm arranges to pay the out-of-pocket cost.

Description

• This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/022,153 filed Dec. 14, 2001 which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 08/898,377 filed Jul. 22, 1997, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.[0001]
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
• This invention relates generally to a computerized method and system for the payment of out-of-pocket costs, and more specifically to such a computerized method and system in which a law firm can pay out-of-pocket costs for a client.[0002]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• When a patent or trademark application is filed with a patent or trademark agency, such as the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), the filing is accompanied by a fee payable to the patent or trademark agency. This fee covers the agency's cost in reviewing and examining the filing. For example, in the case where the filing is a patent application, the fee covers the cost incurred by the agency in determining whether the application should issue as a patent.[0003]
• Typically, a law firm pays the patent and trademark fees itself on behalf of its clients, and bills the fees as disbursements, or asks for and receives from the clients a retainer to use to pay the fees. Patent fees especially, however, have continued to increase greatly in the past few years. For law firms having a majority of clients that do not provide retainers, this means that such law firms have had to increasingly advance a large amount of their working capital as patent and trademark fees, which might not be paid back from their clients for a number of months, if ever.[0004]
• In addition, the increasing popularity of Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) international patent applications has also resulted in law firms having to advance even more of their capital as patent and trademark fees on behalf of their clients. In the past, most international applications were filed directly in a desired foreign country, or in the European Patent Office. A foreign associate was thus responsible for the payment of any associated patent or trademark fees. While the law firm would still have to pay the foreign associate even if the client did not pay the law firm, this practice allowed the law firm some time to collect the fees from the client first, before paying the foreign associate. Thus, in many cases, the firm did not have to resort to its capital to pay for these expenses.[0005]
• However, in the case of a PCT filing, a law firm must now immediately advance filing fees that are usually on the order of several thousands of dollars. These fees are paid out of the law firm's own working capital. Because PCT applications have grown in popularity, PCT application fees are a large cash flow burden on patent and trademark law firms. Along with the increased fees for patent and trademark filings in general, the popularity of PCT applications have frequently strained the working capital of many law firms.[0006]
• Adding to this strain for United States patent and trademark firms is a rule by the United States Internal Revenue Service (IRS) that prohibits patent and trademark firms from deducting the payment of USPTO and PCT fees from earnings as a business expense. Instead, the payment of these fees is treated as a loan to a firm's clients, and is not deductible. This rule has resulted in a fiscal year-end tax and cash flow problem in itself for patent and trademark law firms.[0007]
• That is, the rule means that firms cannot retain earnings to cover the capital advanced on behalf of their clients to the USPTO. Because the firms still need to have capital on hand to cover the patent and trademark fees, however, they are typically left with no other option but to pay in more working capital, or to borrow the money advanced for clients from a lending institution.[0008]
• In addition, ethical considerations as codified in the rules of ethics of most states' legal bars may prevent or restrict the extent to which patent and trademark law firms can collect interest on the advancement of these fees. The typical patent and trademark law firm thus finds itself in a position in which it is forced to loan capital to its clients interest-fee to pay for patent and trademark fees advanced on behalf of the clients. As these fees have substantially increased, and as PCT applications with their high fees have grown in popularity, the typical law firm thus finds itself resorting to ever-increasing bank loans to cover shortfalls created by the advancement of these fees, increasing the firm's internal cost of doing business.[0009]
• Furthermore, this problem also extends to the payment of fees for professional services of foreign associates. An American law firm requires such foreign associates so that it may file foreign patent and trademark applications on behalf of its clients in other countries. Similar to fees paid to patent and trademark agencies, foreign associate fees are billed to the law firm, which then may be forced to pay them before it receives renumeration from the clients with which the fees are associated. Thus, the typical law firm also may find itself resorting to bank loans to cover shortfalls created by advancement of foreign associate fees, in addition to patent and trademark agency fees.[0010]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• According to various example embodiments of the inventive subject matter disclosed herein, without limitation, method and apparatus are provided to monitor or make payments for a plurality of out-of-pocket costs for one or more clients of a law firm, to generate a separate charge in relation to each respective out-of-pocket cost wherein each charge is based substantially on the cost of financing a loan or other service to cover payment of the out-of-pocket costs. In another example embodiment, the respective charges are determined substantially at the same time the firm arranges to pay the out-of-pocket cost.[0011]
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1([0012]a) and FIG. 1(b) show a flowchart of a first preferred computerized method of the invention;
• FIG. 2([0013]a) and FIG. 2(b) show a flowchart of a second preferred computerized method of the invention;
• FIG. 3 shows a flowchart of an alternative embodiment of the first and the second preferred methods of the invention;[0014]
• FIG. 4 shows a diagram of an exemplary system architecture in which the preferred methods of the invention may be practiced;[0015]
• FIG. 5 shows a diagram of another exemplary system architecture in which the preferred methods of the invention may be practiced;[0016]
• FIG. 6 shows a first exemplary hardware implementations of a firm computer system of the present invention;[0017]
• FIG. 7 shows a second exemplary hardware implementation of a firm computer system of the present invention;[0018]
• FIGS. 8, 9,[0019]10,11,12,13,14,15,16 and17 show screen shots from an exemplary embodiment of the invention; and,
• FIGS. 18, 19,[0020]20,21,22 and23 show forms and reports from an exemplary embodiment of the invention.
• FIGS.[0021]24(a) through24(k) are software listings according to one embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
• In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific preferred embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that logical, mechanical and electrical changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined only be the appended claims.[0022]
• This detailed description is divided into eight sections. In the first section, a first preferred computerized method of the invention is described. In this method, a law firm computer system prints checks for the payment of patent and trademark fees on behalf of its clients, the checks payable to a patent or patent and trademark agency (such as the USPTO) and against a financial account held by a separate financing organization. In the second section, a second preferred computerized method of the invention is described. In this second method, the law firm computer instead issues an authorization code for the amount of a patent or trademark fee to be debited against a deposit account held by the separate financing organization with the patent or patent and trademark agency. In the third section, an alternative embodiment of both the first and second preferred computerized methods is shown, in which the law firm computer system contacts the financing organization's computer system before issuing each charge (i.e., before printing a check, or before issuing an authorization code), so that the financing organization's computer system may approve the charge before it is issued.[0023]
• In the fourth section, an exemplary system architecture in which the preferred methods of the invention may be practiced is described. The exemplary system architecture includes three computer systems: a firm computer system maintained by a firm such as a law firm, a fee computer system maintained by an financing organization separate from the firm, and an account computer system maintained by either a patent or patent and trademark agency or a financial institution. In the fifth section, exemplary hardware implementations of the firm computer system of the present invention are described. In one hardware implementation, the workstation at which a charge for a requested trademark or patent fee is issued is a stand-alone computer. In another hardware implementation, the workstation is any computer within the firm computer system. In the sixth section, other functionality provided by alternative embodiments of the invention is described. This functionality is additional to that described in the preceding five sections of the invention. In the seventh section, a software listing of a preferred embodiment is provided. Finally, in the eighth section, a conclusion of the detailed description is described.[0024]
A First Preferred Computerized Method of the Invention
• Referring to FIG. 1([0025]a) and FIG. 1(b), a first preferred computerized method of the invention is shown. In the first preferred computerized method, a law firm computer system prints checks for the payment of patent and trademark fees on behalf of its clients, the checks payable to a patent or patent and trademark agency (such as the USPTO) and against a financial account held by a separate financing organization. Thus, the law firm does not advance its own funds on behalf of its clients to pay trademark and patent fees.
• In[0026]step110, identification information regarding a particular patent or trademark fee is entered into a workstation at the law firm. This workstation may be a computer used only for this purpose, or it may be any networked computer in the office also used for other purposes (for example, a computer in an attorney or paralegal's office that is also used for word processing, etc.). The information entered into the workstation regarding the particular fee preferably includes the amount of the fee, the payee patent or patent and trademark agency of the fee (for example, the USPTO, the European Patent Office (EPO), etc.), and the client and matter number for which the fee is being requested. Other information may also be included.
• In[0027]step112, a check is printed on a printer coupled to the workstation. The printer may be a stand-alone printer especially dedicated for the purpose of printing such checks. Alternatively, the printer may be a network printer.
• The printed check includes the current date, a check number, the amount of the fee, and the payee patent or patent and trademark agency of the fee. The check is mailed along with its associated filing (for example, a patent application, or an office action response) to the payee patent or patent and trademark agency. The checks may be printed as they are requested, or they may be printed as a batch job once during a predetermined period, such as once daily, twice daily, etc.[0028]
• In an alternative embodiment, the check requested at[0029]step110 may not be printed until a requested period of time, in which case it may be printed remotely, at the financing organization. For example, for a foreign associate fee, such a fee may not be due for a number of months, such as six months from the current date. However, instep110, a check request may be made that a check for the fee be issued four months from the current date (two months prior to the due date of the foreign associate fee). When the issue date arrives, the check is printed remotely at the financing organization, and mailed directly to the foreign associate, or alternatively to the firm for mailing to the foreign associate. Note that the invoicing of this charge, as invoicing is later described in this section of the detailed description, may nevertheless be performed immediately, such that the client pays the firm for the foreign associate fee even before the financing organization cuts a check to pay the foreign associate.
• In[0030]step114, the payee patent or patent and trademark agency receives the check, and cashes it against a bank account maintained by the separate financing organization with a banking or other financial institution. Thus, the patent or trademark fee is initiated at the law firm workstation (in step110), but is actually paid for by the separate financing organization. The law firm does not advance fees from its own working capital.
• The process of the entry of a check request in[0031]step110 and a check being printed and mailed in step112 (for ultimate receipt and cashing by the patent or patent and trademark agency in step114) is repeated as needed within a first predetermined period, such as a day. This is represented bystep116. If the end of the day or other first predetermined period has not been reached, the process reverts back to step110. Thus, in a given day, a number of checks may be requested, printed and mailed.
• Once the end of the day or other first predetermined period is reached, however, the process continues to step[0032]118. Instep118, first information regarding the checks printed during that day or other first predetermined period is electronically transmitted to the financing organization's fee computer system. This may be accomplished by a modem at the workstation communicating with a modem at the fee computer system, or over the Internet, assuming that both the workstation and the fee computer system are so connected to the Internet. The invention is not limited to the manner by which electronic transmission is effectuated. For example, in another embodiment, the information is saved onto magnetic media, such as a diskette, and physically moved from one workstation to the fee computer system. The first information preferably includes for each check the date of the check, the amount of the check, the payee of the check, and the number of the check. Other information may also be included.
• In[0033]step120, the financing organization deposits, preferably electronically via the fee computer system, enough money in its account to cover the amounts of the checks issued during that day or other first predetermined period. Assuming a daily period, this provides sufficient time for the financing organization to deposit funds to cover the checks issued. For example, if on day one the law firm issues nine checks totaling $10,000 in repeatedsteps110 and112, first information regarding the nine checks will be uploaded to the financing organization's fee computer system instep118 at the end of day one, and the financing organization will be able to deposit sufficient funds to cover the checks no later than the beginning of day two. Even if the checks are mailed via next-day mail to the patent or patent and trademark agency instep112, by the time the patent or patent and trademark agency receives and cashes the checks on day two instep114, the funds will already have been deposited by the financing organization into the account instep120.
• In[0034]step122, the workstation at the law firm generates, also at the end of each day or other first predetermined period, for each check an electronic fee invoice (a first invoice; note that the different invoices described in selected sections of the detailed description are numbered to clarify the particular invoice being described, and to permit easy distinction among the different particular invoices) and transmits it to the firm's accounting system. A paper invoice (a second invoice) for verification purposes is also generated—i.e., printed on a printer coupled to the workstation. Each electronic (first) invoice preferably includes the amount of the check, the date of the disbursement of the check, the payee patent or patent and trademark agency of the check, the check number, and the client and matter associated with the check. While these second invoices, while described as being daily, may in fact be generated at the end of each day, as has been described, or at the same time as each check is printed.
• Optionally, this invoice is printed with the check at[0035]step112 on one part of a multi-part check; furthermore, optionally, only the first or second invoice (not both) is generated. That is, the daily (second) invoices are integrated into the check itself. Thus, in a single printing the check is issued, along with a separable check stub and invoice. The stub and invoice may be separable via perforated paper, although the invention is not so limited. The accounting system may be connected to the same local-area or other network as is the workstation, or may be directly connected to the workstation, etc. The invention is not so limited.
• The invoice may also be a peel-off receipt or carbon that is obtained from each transmittal in conjunction with which a check has been printed. These peel-off receipts or carbons can thus be tracked, and can be used to manually enter in the invoice information into the firm's accounting system and for ultimate uploading to the financing organization. That is, the invention also contemplates the manual entry and tabulation of individual checks that are printed. Furthermore, an adhesive label may be generated, to stick to the matter file in conjunction with which the charge was advanced, such that the label serves as later proof of authorization of a check.[0036]
• Therefore, the invoice printed in[0037]step122 may be separate from the printed check, or may be part of the check form itself. Having the invoice as part of the check itself is useful in that the invoice may be a check “stub,” which is easily removed from the check. Thus, the check may remain with the invoice until just prior to mailing, at which time the invoice is torn from the check. Alternatively still, the check form may be have two copies of the invoice, in the case of a three-part check.
• The daily or other first predetermined period uploading of first information regarding the checks issued in[0038]step118, the daily or other first predetermined period depositing of funds by the financing organization to cover the checks issued instep120, and the daily or other first predetermined period generation of an electronic (first) and paper (second) invoice by the workstation and corresponding transmission to the firm's accounting system instep122, are repeated every day or other first predetermined period until the end of the month or a second predetermined period has been reached. This is represented bystep124. If the end of the month or second predetermined period has not been reached, the process again reverts back to step110. Thus, in a given month, each day a number of checks may be printed and sent to a patent or patent and trademark agency, information regarding which is sent to the financing organization's fee computer system, funds are deposited to cover the checks, and (first and second) invoices regarding which are generated.
• While this activity is taking place, in[0039]step126 the bank or other financial institution with which the financing organization is maintaining an account sends to the financing organization, either electronically or on paper, a statement (for example, a monthly or bi-weekly, or even daily statement), of all the activity that occurred in that account (i.e., an external source to the financing organization). The statement preferably includes second information regarding each transaction or check, including the check number, the date the check was presented for payment, the date of the check, and the amount of the check.
• If the statement is transmitted electronically from the financial institution to the financing organization's fee computer system (for example, via modem communication, or over the Internet), then data regarding the second information is input directly into the financing organization's fee computer system. Otherwise, if the statement is delivered to the financing organization in paper format, data regarding the second information must be input manually into the financing organization's fee computer system. This may be by utilizing an optical character recognition (OCR) device, or having a data operator or similar personnel typing in the second information as data into the fee computer system on a computer keyboard.[0040]
• In[0041]step128, after the end of the month or other second predetermined period has been reached instep124, the financing organization's computer system reconciles the first information regarding the checks uploaded by the workstation at the firm, with the second information inputted into the computer system. The computer system verifies that the dates, payees, and amounts of the checks as issued at the firm's workstation are consistent with the dates, payees, and amounts of the checks as received from the financial institution. If checks are issued at the workstation late in the month, second information regarding them may not have been received from the financial institution via the monthly statement, since typically a few days must pass before a given check clears at the institution. In such a situation, the fee computer system ignores the check, and flags it for reconciliation for next month.
• If reconciliation is not achieved in[0042]step130, then instep132 the situation is examined manually, and errors are corrected as they are found. That is, the financing organization's computer system instep130 will highlight to an account analyst or other personnel that a discrepancy has been detected. The analyst will then examine the records to determine, for example, if the law firm is issuing fraudulent checks, if the financial institution has committed an error, etc.
• Once the first information regarding the checks for the month or other second predetermined period have been reconciled with the second information regard the checks, in step[0043]134 a bill is generated by the financing organization's fee computer system and delivered to the law firm. The bill (i.e., a firm, or third, invoice) is for those checks that were cleared by the financial institution and included in the institution's statement in step126 (that is, those checks that were not included in the statement instep126, but were nevertheless issued instep112, are held until the next month or other second predetermined period), plus a service charge for each check. As represented instep136, the bill (third invoice) is preferably due in ninety days of receipt by the law firm. Optionally, the bill (or statement) includes the daily invoices that were previously generated, and does not require reconciliation as has been described.
• The service charge for each check is preferably variable, depending on the amount of the check. For example, the service charge may be a particular percentage of amount of the check, such as eight percent, with a minimum service charge of twenty dollars. The service charge is charged by the financing organization for services rendered in conjunction with providing a loan to the firm's clients for the checks covering patent and trademark fees to patent agencies, and for the maintaining of deposit accounts and the software and apparatus required to operate the system. The service charge may be a flat fee, a flat fee plus a percentage of the amount paid to the patent agency on behalf of a client, a fee as looked up in the table (e.g., dependent on the amount paid to the patent agency), etc.; the invention is not so limited.[0044]
• In[0045]step138, the firm generates and sends to each client an invoice (fourth invoice) inclusive of the daily invoices (second or first) generated instep132. This (fourth) invoice (i.e., a client invoice) may itself be included on a (fifth) invoice listing the other fees chargeable to the client, or may be a separate invoice to emphasize that the money being collected for the funds advanced on behalf of the client are those of the financing organization, and not the firm. The (fourth) invoice preferably lists for each check the date of the check, the payee patent or patent and trademark agency of the check, the amount of the check, the matter in conjunction with which the check was issued, as well as the service charge charged by the financing organization. The bill generated instep138 typically also includes the fee schedule by which payment of the bill is governed, indicating what late charges, discounts, etc., will be provided in accordance with timely payment of the bill, or lack thereof. As represented instep140, each client (fourth) invoice is preferably due in thirty days from receipt of the invoice, but is more typically paid sixty to ninety days from the date of the invoice.
• Thus, for example, the firm in one embodiment of the invention sends to each client an invoice including all the charges and fees incurred for the client the previous billing period. These charges and fees typically include legal fees (such as attorney and paralegal fees), postage charges, photocopying charges, etc. In this embodiment of the invention, this monthly invoice also includes the charges extended on behalf of the client for the payment of patent and trademark fees, and has been described. In other words, the regular invoice the client receives includes all charges, including patent and trademark fees; the charges extended on behalf of the client are part of the regular invoice received by the client.[0046]
• However, in an alternative embodiment, a special invoice may be generated and sent to a client for an unusually large patent or trademark fee (i.e., a “jumbo” fee). A firm may wish to have such a special invoice including a large fee so that it is sent to the client immediately, and there is no delay until the end of the regular billing period to send a regular invoice that might have normally included the charge. This is because the firm may desire to have the money for the fee paid sooner by the client, or may desire to accentuate to the client the enormity of the fee. The invention is not limited as to how charges included in special invoices are determined; in one embodiment, an operator at the firm (such as someone within the firm's accounting department) may manually identify such charges, while in another embodiment, all charges above a certain threshold are so earmarked for special invoicing.[0047]
• Because each client (fourth) invoice is due preferably in thirty days, and the firm (third) invoice is due preferably in ninety days, typically the law firm will receive payment from its clients in[0048]step142 to cover the firm (third) invoice before the firm invoice is due to the financing organization. Therefore, the firm will not have to use any of its own capital to cover the patent and trademark fees advanced by the financing organization for its clients. Insofar as the typical law firm's late-paying clients represent only a fraction of its total client base, such a law firm by utilizing the inventive computerized method will significantly reduce the amount of working capital allotted towards patent and trademark fees. Thus, instep144, the firm sends payment as collected from its clients instep142 to the financing organization in satisfaction of the (third) invoice sent to the law firm instep134. The (third) invoice is received at the financing organization instep146, ending the computerized method of FIG. 1(a) and FIG. 1(b).
• Thus, there are three primary invoices or bills generated by the invention: the individual invoices for the individual checks generated at step[0049]122 (either paper and/or electronic); the bill sent by the financing organization to the firm instep134, and the bills sent by the firm to its clients instep138. The bill sent by the financing organization to the firm instep134 includes the information contained in the individual invoices generated atstep122; the individual invoices are generated for reconciliatory and record keeping purposes primarily. The bill instep134 sent to the firm also includes the financing charges elicited by the financing organization. The firm sends its clients bills instep138 to recoup the money loaned to the clients by the financing organization, as the financing organization has billed the firm instep134.
• Note, however, that the bills in[0050]step138 sent by the firm to its clients do not necessarily have to correspond to the amounts listed in the bill sent from the financing organization to the client instep134. For example, the firm may decide as a business decision to absorb some of the costs for a particular client, matter, or fee. In this case, the bill listed instep134 will have a greater corresponding amount than that listed in a particular bill instep138. The invention provides for this capability.
• In other words, the invention provides for the capability of maintaining different discount or fee schedules for different clients of the firm. For example, the financing organization may charge a set service fee due at a given time, depending on the size of the amount advanced on behalf of an associated client of the firm. The firm, however, may decide that for certain clients it will underwrite or absorb a portion of this fee as a matter of course. Thus, the invention provides that the amount billed to a given client of the firm will reflect the discount accorded to the client, while the amount billed by the financing organization to the firm will still reflect the full amount. The invention therefore provides for different discount or fee schedules—including but not limited to the date when a fee is due, and the amount underwritten by the firm—for different clients.[0051]
A Second Preferred Computerized Method of the Invention
• Referring next to FIG. 2([0052]a) and FIG. 2(b), a second preferred computerized method of the invention is shown. In the second preferred computerized method, a law firm computer system issues an authorization for the debit of patent and trademark fees on behalf of its clients against a deposit or other account maintained with the patent or patent and trademark agency (such as the USPTO or EPO) by a separate financing organization. Like the computerized method of FIG. 1(a) and FIG. 1(b), the law firm does not advance its own funds on behalf of its clients. Unlike in FIG. 1(a) and FIG. 1(b), the payment is not made in the form of a check, but rather is in the form of a debit to a deposit account maintained by the separate financing organization with the patent or patent and trademark agency. Each step of the method of FIG. 2(a) and FIG. 2(b), except forstep213, corresponds to and is similar to a step of the method of FIG. 1(a) and FIG. 1(b) (step210 corresponding to and similar to step110,step212 to step112, et seq.).
• Therefore, insofar as a step in the method of FIG. 2([0053]a) and FIG. 2(b) performs a function as does its corresponding step in the method of FIG. 1(a) and FIG. 1(b), reference should be made to the discussion of the corresponding step for further understanding thereof. For example, insofar as alternative and optional embodiments and/or additional functionality are described in reference to one or more steps of FIG. 1(a) and FIG. 1(b) that are applicable to counterpart step or steps of FIG. 2(a) and FIG. 2(b), such embodiments and functionality are also applicable to the method of FIG. 2(a) and FIG. 2(b). Those of ordinary skill within the art will readily appreciate that the alternative and optional embodiments and/or additional functionality described in reference to the method of FIG. 1(a) and FIG. 1(b) are also applicable to the method of FIG. 2(a) and FIG. 2(b), and that the scope of the invention encompasses such alternative and optional embodiments and/or additional functionality in relation to FIG. 2(a) and FIG. 2(b) as well.
• Furthermore, insofar as alternative and optional embodiments and/or additional functionality are described in reference to one or more steps of FIG. 2([0054]a) and FIG. 2(b) that are applicable to counterpart step or steps of FIG. 1(a) and FIG. 1(b), such embodiments and functionality are also applicable to the method of FIG. 1(a) and FIG. 1(b). Those of ordinary skill within the art will readily appreciate that the alternative and optional embodiments and/or additional functionality described in reference to the method of FIG. 2(a) and FIG. 2(b) are also applicable to the method of FIG. 1(a) and FIG. 1(b), and that the scope of the invention encompasses such alternative and optional embodiments and/or additional functionality in relation to FIG. 1(a) and FIG. 1(b) as well.
• In[0055]step210, identification information regarding a particular patent or trademark fee is entered into a workstation at the law firm. This information includes the amount of the fee, the payee patent or patent and trademark agency of the fee, and the client and matter number or other code for which the fee is being requested. Other information may also be included.
• In[0056]step212, an authorization for the debit of the fee from a deposit account maintained by the separate financing organization with the patent or patent and trademark agency is issued at the workstation. For example, the Patent Cooperation Treaty Office (PCTO) of a subscribing nation permits the establishment of a deposit account, similar to a bank account, to which funds can be deposited, and against which payment for fees can be made. The deposit account is thus provided as a convenience by the PCTO of a subscribing nation. The authorization authorizes a law firm to debit funds from a deposit account.
• In[0057]step213, the filing associated with the authorization for debit is mailed to the payee patent or patent and trademark agency. Preferably but optionally, for each authorization generated, the work station includes an authorization code, which may be unique. The authorization code is preferably placed on correspondence to the patent agency in a manner such that it is reported back to the account holder in a deposit account report, so that traceability of the authorization is provided for. For example, the transmittal form may include instructions to the deposit account operator to enter the code plus a file number into the patent agency's system. Thus, this code may be included with the transmittal requesting a debit from the deposit account.
• As another example, the authorization code may be placed in text near the deposit account authorization on the transmittal form, with instructions to have this entered into the patent agency's system by the operator in lieu of the file number. This authorization code then acts as a serial number, to keep track of each serial number issued against the deposit account (kept track of from the perspective of the firm, the patent agency, and the financing organization). The serial numbers may be automatically generated when printing the transmittal, or obtained from a counter computer program as known within the art. In addition, this serial code may be a bar code.[0058]
• In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the authorization code is obtained from a separate authorization terminal which can dial into the financing organization's computer system. This separate authorization terminal may be similar to that found in retail establishments for the approval of credit card transactions. In another alternative embodiment of the invention, calls can be received at the financing organization to obtain authorization code via voice, such that the calls are answered by a live operator, or handled by an automatic voice response system. Such calls may originate from either within or without of the firm.[0059]
• These alternative embodiments are additional manners by which the financing organization compiles the list of transmittals submitted and fees requested or estimated at the firm, and by which the financing organization may keep track of the type of transaction in conjunction with which the transmittals are submitted (e.g., via categories entered at the time of authorization, such as new application, issue fee, amendment, etc.). Thus, the alternative embodiments permit the financing organization's system to automatically tabulate wire transfers (or other transfers of funds to cover the charges) based on authorization codes. In addition, the utilization of type of transaction data can be used to estimate probable error rates for deposit account authorizations (e.g., issue fees are typically not often wrong, while filing fees are more prone to error, etc.). Thus, this data can be used to keep track of statistics of average errors on deposit account authorizations, to suggest an appropriate safety balance that should be kept in the deposit account to prevent overdrafting of the account.[0060]
• In still another alternative embodiment, overdrafts may be handled by using a back-up as a ready reserve to cover the overdrafts. The firm may itself keep a deposit account to use as such a back-up account. Alternatively, the financing organization may maintain the deposit account.[0061]
• In[0062]step214, the payee patent or patent and trademark agency receives the filing. The payee patent or patent and trademark agency debits the deposit accounted maintained by the separate financing organization with the patent or patent and trademark agency for the amount of the fee. Preferably, the agency notes the authorization code for the transaction in its records. The process of the entry of a authorization request instep210 and an authorization being issued instep212 and mailed in step213 (for ultimate receipt and debit by the patent or patent and trademark agency in step214) is repeated as needed within a first predetermined period, such as a day. This is represented bystep216. If the end of the day or other first predetermined period has not been reached, the process reverts back to step210. Thus, in a given day, a number of authorizations may be requested, issued, and mailed.
• Once the end of the day or other first predetermined period is reached, the process continues to step[0063]218. Instep218, first information regarding the authorizations issued during that day or other first predetermined period are electronically transmitted to the financing organization's fee computer system. The first information preferably includes for each authorization, the code itself, the date on which the code was authorized, the amount of debit for which the code was authorized, and the patent or patent and trademark agency payee. Other information may also be included (such as the serial number, as has been described). This generated first information may thus be used to keep track of information, and serve as a back-up to the financing organization's maintenance of the same information. Moreover, the firm may use this information to verify transfers to the account each day, etc. Furthermore, this permits the invoice to automatically generate invoices, other alternatively the financing organization may communicate with the firm and verify fund transfers prior to the firm uploading electronic invoices (as described later in this section of the detailed description).
• In[0064]step220, the separate financing organization deposits, preferably via wire transfer, enough money into its deposit account to cover the amounts of the debits for which authorizations were issued during that day or other first predetermined period. Assuming a daily period, this provides sufficient time for the financing organization to deposit funds to cover the debits. For example, if on day one the law firm issues ten debits totaling $5,000 in repeatedsteps210 and212, first information regarding the debits will be uploaded to the financing organization's fee computer system instep218 at the end of day one, and the financing organization will be able to deposit sufficient funds to cover the debits no later than the beginning of day two. Even if the filings including the transmittals containing the authorizations for the debits are mailed via next-day mail to the patent or patent and trademark agency instep213, the patent or patent and trademark agency will be able to debit the deposit account no earlier than day two—the same day on which the funds covering the debits were deposited by the financing organization instep220.
• In[0065]step222, the workstation at the law firm generates, also at the end of each day or other first predetermined period, for each charge an electronic fee (first) invoice and transmits it to the firm's accounting system. A paper (second) invoice for verification purposes is also generated. Each electronic (first) invoice preferably includes the date of the issuance of the authorization and code, the payee patent or patent and trademark agency, the amount of the authorized debit, and the client and matter associated with the check. While these second invoices, while described as being daily, may in fact be generated at the end of each day, as has been described, or at the same time as each charge is issued.
• The uploading of first information regarding the debits authorized during that day or other first predetermined period in[0066]step218, the depositing of funds by the financing organization to cover the debits authorized for that day or other predetermined instep220, and the generation of an electronic invoice (first invoice) and paper invoice (second invoice) and transmission to the firm's accounting system for that day or other first predetermined period instep222, are repeated every day or other first predetermined period until the end of the month or a second predetermined period has been reached. This is represented bystep226. If the end of the month or second predetermined period has not been reached, the process again reverts back to step210. Thus, in a given month, each day a number of debits may be authorized, information regarding which is sent to the financing organization's fee computer systems, funds are deposited to cover the debits, and (first and second) invoices regarding which are generated.
• While this activity is taking place, in[0067]step226 the patent or patent and trademark agency sends to the financing organization, either electronically or on paper, a statement of all the activity that occurred in the deposit account (i.e., an external source to the financing organization). The statement preferably includes second information regarding each transaction (for example, each debit or deposit), including the authorization of each debit, the date of each transaction, and the amount of the transaction. This second information is inputted into the financing organization's fee computer system.
• In[0068]step228, after the end of the month or other second predetermined period has been reached in steep224, the financing organization's computer system reconciles the first information regarding the debits uploaded by the workstation at the firm, with the second information inputted into the computer system. Preferably reconciliation is performed by matching authorization codes from the financing organization's computers with the agency's records. The computer system verifies that the dates, authorizations, and amounts of the debits as issued at the firm's workstation are consistent with the second information as received from the patent or patent and trademark agency.
• If debits are issued at the workstation late in the month, second information regarding them may not have been received from the patent or patent and trademark agency via the monthly statement, in which case the fee computer system ignores the debit, and flags it for reconciliation for the next month. That is, balancing (reconciliation) is only performed for those charges actually debited by the patent and trademark agency during a particular billing period. For example, a debit may be issued on July 30, but not actually be redeemed by the agency until August 2. In this case, the organization will receive a statement from the agency that does not reference this debit, assuming that statements are issued each calendar month. The organization will therefore hold the debit on its books for reconciliation in the following billing period.[0069]
• If reconciliation is achieved in[0070]step230, then instep232 the situation is examined manually by financing organization personnel, and errors are corrected as they are found. Once the first information regarding the debits have been reconciled with the second information regarding the debits, in step234 a bill is generated by the financing organization's fee computer system and delivered to the law firm. The bill (i.e., a firm or third invoice) is for those debits that were included in the patent or patent and trademark agency's statement instep226, plus a service charge for each debit. As represented instep236, the bill (third invoice) is preferably due in ninety days of receipt by the law firm.
• In[0071]step238, the firm generates and sends to each client a (fourth) invoice inclusive of the daily invoices generated instep232. This (fourth) invoice (i.e., a client invoice) may itself by included on a (fifth) invoice listing the other fees chargeable to the client (for example, attorney's fees), or may be a separate invoice. The (fourth) invoice preferably lists for each debit the date of the debit, the authorization of the debit, the payee patent or patent and trademark agency (that is, the patent or patent and trademark agency maintaining the deposit account, the amount of the debit, the matter in conjunction with which the debit was issued, as well as the service charge. As represented instep240, each client (fourth) invoice is preferably due in thirty days from receipt of the invoice.
• Because each client invoice is due preferably in thirty days, and the firm (third) invoice is due preferably in ninety days, typically the law firm will receive payment from its clients in[0072]step242 to cover the firm (third) invoice before the firm invoice is due to the financing organization. Therefore, the firm will not have to use any of its own capital to cover the patent and trademark fees advanced by the financing organization for its clients. Thus, instep244, the firm sends payment as collected from its clients instep242 to the financing organization in satisfaction of the (third) invoice sent to the firm instep234. The (third) invoice is received at the financing organization instep246, ending the computerized method of FIG. 2(a) and FIG. 2(b).
An Alternative Embodiment of the First and the Second Preferred Methods of the Invention
• Referring to FIG. 3, an alternative embodiment of the first and the second preferred methods of the invention is shown. In this alternative embodiment, the law firm computer system contacts the financing organization's computer system before issuing each charge (i.e., before printing a check, or before issuing an authorization), so that the financing organization's computer system may approve the charge before it is issued. The alternative embodiment of FIG. 3 replaces[0073]steps110,112 and116 of the method of FIG. 1(a) and FIG. 1(b), and replacessteps210,212,213 and216 of the method of FIG. 2(a) and FIG. 2(b). Specifically, steps310,312 and316 replacesteps110,112 and116, respectively, and steps310,312,313 and316 replacesteps210,212,213 and216, respectively.
• In[0074]step310, information regarding a particular patent or trademark fee is entered into a workstation at the law firm. The information entered into the workstation regarding the particular fee preferably includes the amount of the fee, the payee patent or patent and trademark agency of the fee, and client and matter number or other code for which the fee is being requested. Other information may also be included.
• In[0075]step311, the workstation electronically contacts the financing organization's fee computer system to receive approval for the requested fee. This may be accomplished by a modem at the workstation communicating with a modem at the fee computer system, or over the Internet, assuming that both the workstation and the fee computer system are so connected to the Internet. The invention is not limited to the manner by which electronic communication is effectuated. Instep311, the workstation also sends first information regarding the requested fee. This first information includes the date of the fee request, the amount of the fee request, the payee of the fee, and the authorization (in the case where the method of FIG. 3 is an alternative embodiment to the method of FIG. 2(a) and FIG. 2(b)) or check number of the check (in the case where the method of FIG. 3 is an alternative embodiment to the method of FIG. 1(a) and FIG. 1(b)) to be issued once approval is received from the financing organization's fee computer system.
• Once approval has been received in[0076]step311, instep312 the workstation issues a check for the requested fee in the case where the method of FIG. 3 is an alternative embodiment to the method of FIG. 1(a) and FIG. 1(b), or issues an authorization for the requested fee in the case where the method of FIG. 3 is an alternative embodiment to the method of FIG. 2(a) and FIG. 2(b). The check is printed on a printer coupled to the workstation and is payable against an account maintained by the financing organization with a financial institution such as bank. The authorization for debit of the fee from a deposit account maintained by the financing organization with the patent or patent and trademark agency.
• The step of having the workstation receive electronic approval for every fee ensures that the fee computer system of the financing organization receives information regarding the debits or checks issued by the workstation as they are issued, instead of only at the end of the day (for example, in[0077]step118 of FIG. 1(a) and FIG. 1(b), or step218 of FIG. 2(a) and FIG. 2(b)). This allows the fee computer system to keep more timely track of the debits and checks issued at the workstation. This is advantageous because the financing organization is able to more closely monitor the firm to ensure that no fraud is occurring, and it is able to more timely learn the amount of the deposit that will be required in the account to cover the debits or checks.
• From[0078]step312, the alternative embodiment of FIG. 3 proceeds to step120 of FIG. 1(a) and FIG. 1(b) or step220 of FIG. 2(a) and FIG. 2(b), in which step the financing organization deposits sufficient funds to cover the debits or checks issued at the workstation. The deposit may be made as debits or checks are requested at the workstation, or may be made on at the end of each day or other first predetermined period. Also fromstep312, the alternative embodiment of FIG. 3 proceeds to step313. Instep313, the filing, including a transmittal with the authorization for the debit of the requested fee or the check for the requested fee, is sent to the patent or patent and trademark agency. Fromstep313, the alternative embodiment of FIG. 3 proceeds to step114 of FIG. 1(a) and FIG. 1(b) or step214 of FIG. 2(a) and FIG. 2(b), in which step the patent or patent and trademark agency receives the filing and cashes the check against the account maintained by the financing organization with a financial institution or debits the deposit account maintained by the financing organization.
• The process of the entry of a fee request in[0079]step310, the workstation electronically contacting the fee computer system instep311, the workstation issuing the check or authorization instep312, and the filing including the check or a transmittal with the authorization being mailed to the patent or patent and trademark agency instep313 is repeated as necessary within a first predetermined period, such as a day. This is represented instep316. If the end of the day or other first predetermined period has not been reached, the process reverts back to step310. Thus, in a given day, a number of fees may be requested, approved, issued, and mailed. Once the end of the day or other first predetermined period is reached, the process continues to step122 of FIG. 1(a) and FIG. 1(b) or step222 of FIG. 2(a) and FIG. 2(b), in which step an invoice is generated. The alternative embodiment of FIG. 3 ends by continuing with the methods as shown in and described in conjunction with FIG. 1(a) and FIG. 1(b) or FIG. 2(a) and FIG. 2(b).
Exemplary System Architecture of the Present Invention
• Referring to FIG. 4, a diagram of an exemplary system architecture in which the preferred methods of the invention may be practiced is shown. The exemplary system architecture includes three computer systems: a[0080]firm computer system410 maintained by a firm such as a law firm, such as a networked computer system, afee computer system412 maintained by a financing organization separate from the firm (i.e., a first organization), and an account computer system414 maintained by either a patent or patent and trademark agency or a financial institution (i.e., a second organization). Thesystems410,412 and414 are preferably physically separate from one another, and communicate with one another electronically as is described.
• The[0081]firm computer system410 includes first computer subsystem416 andsecond computer subsystem418. First computer subsystem416 includes the workstation described in conjunction with the preferred embodiments of the invention of FIG. 1(a), FIG. 1(b), FIG. 2(a), and FIG. 2(b), at which the requested trademark or patent fee is input and stored, and at which the charge for the requested fee (a check or an authorization and code for a debit) is issued.Second computer subsystem418 includes the firm's accounting system as described in conjunction with the preferred embodiments of the invention of FIG. 1(a), FIG. 1(b), FIG. 2(a), and FIG. 2(b).
• Thus,[0082]computer system410 includes preferably a check printer and software in accordance with the methods of the invention as have been described. The software preferably allows entry of a file number for the check or charge to be issued. After the check has been printed, the software is updated to reflect that the check has been issued. In an alternative embodiment, the file number is also printed on the check. Checks may be preprinted to the Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) of the United States, the European Patent Office (EPO), or a PCT office (either U.S. or European); the invention is not so limited. The software may also be allowed to only print checks with PTO, EPO or a PCT office as the payee of the check. The check printer preferably “signs” the checks with a special magnetic ink. The software also preferably prevents the law firm from overdrawing a preset credit limit authorization.
• As represented by arrow[0083]420, first computer subsystem416 communicates electronically withfee computer system412. Computer subsystem416 communicates withfee computer system412 to provide the first information regarding a charge for a requested fee entered at computer subsystem416, such as the date of the charge, the amount of the charge, the payee patent or patent and trademark agency of the charge, etc., on a daily basis or at the end of another first predetermined period. Computer subsystem416 also communicates withfee computer system412 in the alternative embodiment to request approval for a charge before the charge is issued.
• [0084]Fee computer system412 preferably has software to download data fromfirm computer system410 at the law firm and generate an invoice requiring from the firm a payment in a predetermined period. Preferably,fee computer system412 also generates reports showing checks and charges issued, as sorted by client. In an alternative embodiment, the software provides output to disk that can be uploaded to a law firm accounting system (such assecond computer subsystem418 of firm computer system410), or electronically uploads the invoices directly intocomputer subsystem418.Fee computer system412 also preferably has software to upload daily account data tofirm computer system410 to indicate tosystem410 how much credit is available to the firm.
• The software of[0085]fee computer system412 also preferably keeps track of deposit accounts or other accounts, and can receive fromfirm computer system410 preferably via an electronic upload data showing what the firm authorized for deposit the previous day. The software preferably generates a report showing what needs to be transferred into the deposit account, or electronically links to a financial institution requesting a wire transfer of sufficient funds. The software also preferably includes records of daily balances in its account as received from a patent agency such as the United States Patent and Trademark Office, and reconciles this balance with its own expected balance. The software is preferably able to track multiple deposit accounts with a given patent agency or numerous patent agency. When uploading data tosecond computer subsystem418 offirm computer system410,fee computer system412 first reformats the data to ensure that it is compatible withsubsystem418. The software offee computer system412 tracks credit limits, collection of invoices, and maintains balances, as has been described.
• As represented by arrow[0086]422, first computer subsystem416 also communicates electronically withsecond computer subsystem418, to providesecond computer subsystem418 with an electronic fee invoice of the charges issued by the first computer subsystem416. Preferably, the transmission of electronic invoices from first computer subsystem416 tosecond computer subsystem418 is accomplished on a daily basis, but may also be accomplished at the end of an alternative first predetermined period as well.
• Arrow[0087]424 represents the delivery of the charge from first computer subsystem416 to patent or patent andtrademark agency426. Patent or patent andtrademark agency426 is an agency such as the USPTO, EPO, PCTO, etc. The delivery of the charge is typically performed via next-day mail. The patent or patent and trademark agency thus receives the charge as either a transmittal including an authorization and optionally a debit for debit from a deposit account maintained by the financing organization maintainingfee computer system412 with patent or patent andtrademark agency426, or as a check payable against an account maintained by the financing organization maintainingfee computer system412 with a financial institution such as a bank.
• Arrow[0088]428 represents the debit for the fee or the cashing of the check for the fee by patent or patent andtrademark agency426 fromaccount430, as electronically maintained within account computer system414 (i.e., data stored within system414 representing account430). In the case where arrow428 represents the debit for the requested patent or trademark fee,account430 is a deposit account maintained by the financing organization maintainingfee computer system412, and account computer system414 is itself ultimately maintained by patent or patent andtrademark agency426. In the case where arrow428 represents the cashing of the check for the requested patent or trademark fee,account430 is an account maintained by the financing organization maintainingfee computer system412 with a financial institution, and account computer system414 is maintained by the financial institution.
• Arrow[0089]432 represents the flow of information and funds between the financing organization as represented by the financing organization'sfee computer system412, and the financial institution or patent or patent andtrademark agency426 as represented by the account computer system414. As first computer subsystem416 providesfee computer system412 first information regarding the charge issued at first computer subsystem416 (represented by arrow420), the financing organization transfer funds to account430 maintained by account computer system414 to cover the charges. Thus, arrow432 first represents the flow of money from the financing organization to patent or patent andtrademark agency426 or the financial institution maintaining account computer system414. Preferably, the transfer of funds is initiated byfee computer system412 such that no human involvement is necessary. The transfer of funds may be accomplished by a wire transfer, or other manner; the invention is not so limited. As described in conjunction with the preferred methods of the invention, the depositing of funds is preferably accomplished on a daily basis, but may also be accomplished at the end of a different first predetermined period as well, or as each charge is requested.
• Furthermore, at the end of every month or other second predetermined period, account computer system[0090]414 delivers to the financing organization a statement of the transactions made to account430 during that month or other second predetermined period. The statement delivery may be accomplished electronically, directly from account computer system414 tofee computer system412, in an electronic format readable bysystem412. Alternatively, the statement may be printed on paper by account computer system414, mailed to the financing organization maintainingfee computer system412, and input intocomputer system412. Thus, arrow432 represents the delivery of the statement from patent or patent andtrademark agency426 or the financial institution maintaining account computer system414 to the financing organization maintainingfee computer system412. The statement includes second information regarding the charges, such as the authorization (and optionally authorization code) or check number, the date the charge was paid or debited, the date the charge was requested, the amount of the charge, etc.
• Both[0091]fee computer system412 and account computer system414 are typical computer systems including one or more processors, memory, such as read-only memory (ROM) and random-access memory (RAM), one or more storage devices, such as hard disk drives (HDD), floppy disk drives (FDD), optical drives, and tape-cartridge drives, one or more input devices, such as optical character recognition devices (OCR), keyboards, and mouses, and one or more output devices, such as laser and ink jet printers, and display monitors.
• In addition, because the systems preferably require electronic communication with each other and, in the case of[0092]fee computer system412, withfirm computer system410 as well, each also includes such as means for electronic communication. This may include a modem or other communication device for communicating over a preexisting communications network such as a public telephone switched network (PTSN) or an integrated services digital network (ISDN), or a connection to the Internet. It is noted that the hardware implementation offirm computer system410 is described in the next section.
• Finally, arrow[0093]434 represents communication betweensecond computer subsystem418 offirm computer system410 andfee computer system412 maintained by the financing organization. This communication includes the delivery of the firm invoice for the fees paid on behalf of the firm's clients by the financing organization, from the financing organization to the firm. The delivery may be electronic, such that the invoice is directly transmitted fromfee computer system412 tosecond computer subsystem418. Alternatively, the invoice may be a paper invoice, mailed from the financing organization to the firm, which inputs it intosecond computer subsystem418 via keyboard entry or optical character recognition (OCR). The delivery of the invoice by the financing organization is performed afterfee computer system412 has reconciled the second information regarding the charges received from patent or patent andtrademark agency426 or the financial institution maintaining account computer system414 with the first information regarding the charges received from first computer subsystem416.
• [0094]Second computer subsystem418 also generates a client invoice including the fee invoices generated at first computer subsystem416, for delivery to the client. The client invoice correspond to the firm invoice such that payment by the client to the firm for the firm invoice is used as payment by the firm to the financing organization for the firm invoice. That is, once the firm receives payment for the client invoice, it is able to pay the firm invoice delivered to it by the financing organization.
• Arrows[0095]420 and434 may both indicate electronic communication betweenfirm computer system410 andfee computer system412. The arrows are indicated separately in FIG. 4 to show that each arrow represents the transmission of different data to a different computer subsystem ofcomputer system412. However, the arrows do not necessarily indicate that separate communications modes are used to transmit the information as represented by arrow420 and as represented by arrow434. That is, first computer subsystem416 when communicating as represented by arrow420, andsecond computer subsystem418 when communicating as represented by arrow434, may nevertheless utilize the same modem, or the same Internet connection, offirm computer system410. Alternatively, each computer subsystem may utilize different modems, or different Internet connections.
• The system architecture of FIG. 4 performs the preferred methods of the invention as follows. A charge for a requested trademark or patent fee, such as a check or an authorization for a debit from a deposit account, is requested at first computer subsystem[0096]416. First computer subsystem416 issues the charge, which is then delivered to patent or patent andtrademark agency426 as represented by arrow424. On preferably a daily basis, first computer subsystem416 sends an electronic invoice of the day's charges tosecond computer subsystem418, as represented by arrow422. Also on preferably a daily basis, first computer subsystem416 seconds first information regarding the day's charges tofee computer system412.Fee computer system412 then specifies or effects the depositing of sufficient funds intoaccount430 to cover the charges, as represented by arrow432. Patent or patent andtrademark agency426, upon receiving the charge as represented by arrow424, cashes the check againstaccount430, or debits account430, as represented by arrow428.
• On preferably a monthly basis, patent or patent and[0097]trademark agency426 or the financial institution maintaining account computer system414 sends a statement regarding that month's transactions made to account430 to the financing organization maintainingcomputer system412, as also represented by arrow432.Fee computer system412 reconciles the second information within the statement with the first information previously received fromfirm system410, and finally sends an invoice to the firm for the month's charges, as represented by arrow434.Second computer subsystem418 generates a client invoice, which includes the fee invoices generated by first computer subsystem416, and which is delivered to the client. The client's payment of this invoice is then used by the firm to pay the firm invoice, the client invoice corresponding to the firm invoice.
• As has been described in conjunction with and shown in FIG. 4, the fee computer system of the financing organization interacts with one firm and one patent or patent and trademark agency. The limitation to one firm and one patent or patent and trademark agency in FIG. 4 is for purposes of clarity only, however. The invention is not so limited. Referring now to FIG. 5, a diagram of an exemplary system architecture in which the fee computer system of a financing organization handles multiple firms and patent and trademark agencies is shown.[0098]Fee computer system412 thus receives first information from and sends firm invoices to a number of firms each maintaining afirm computer system410. Each firm is able to send a patent or trademark filing including a charge to any of a number ofpatent agencies426. Each of thepatent agencies426 is able to cash checks against one of a number ofaccounts430, or to debit one of a number ofaccounts430. Finally, the financing organization is able to transfer funds to any of theaccounts430.
• In other words, the fee computer system of the financing organization is able to handle the advancement of fees on behalf of the clients of more than one law firm, for payment to more than one patent or patent and trademark agency. Each[0099]law firm410, for example, may correspond with a number ofdifferent patent agencies426, such as the USPTO, the EPO, a PCTO, etc. The financing organization may have aspecific account430 for each firm410, or it may have aspecific account430 for eachagency426, or it may haveonly account430. That is, the manner in which the financing organization maintains one ormore accounts430 to accommodate the advancement of fees on behalf of the clients of more than onefirm410 is not limited by the present invention.
• An exemplary system architecture in which the preferred methods of the invention may be practiced has been described. The exemplary system architecture has been shown in detail in conjunction with one firm and one patent or patent and trademark agency in FIG. 4. The exemplary system architecture has been shown in conjunction with more than one firm and more than one patent or patent and trademark agency in FIG. 5.[0100]
Exemplary Hardware Implementations of the Firm Computer System of the Present Invention
• Referring to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, two exemplary hardware implementations of the firm computer system of the present invention are shown. In the hardware implementation of FIG. 6, the workstation at which a charge for a requested trademark or patent fee is issued is a stand-alone computer. In the hardware implementation of FIG. 7, the workstation is any computer within the firm computer system. It is noted that the hardware implementations shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 are exemplary, and the invention is not so limited to either hardware implementation.[0101]
• Referring specifically to FIG. 6, the firm computer system includes a local-area network (LAN) having a[0102]server610 coupling together a plurality ofcomputers612. The network may be any type of network, such as an Ethernet network, a token-ring network, etc. Each of theserver610 andcomputers612 includes a processor (such as an Intel Pentium processor), random-access memory (such as thirty-two megabytes of memory), read-only memory, one or more storage devices (such as a hard disk drive (HDD), a floppy disk drive (FDD), a tape cartridge drive, and an optical drive), one or more input devices (such as a keyboard, a mouse, and a scanner), and one or more output devices (such as a printer, and a display monitor). Each of theserver610 andcomputers612 runs an operating system, such as a version of Microsoft Windows. The primary difference betweenserver610 andcomputers612 is that typicallyserver610 is more powerful, to handle the demands of the network.
• [0103]Workstation614 is also a computer similar tocomputers612.Workstation614 is the workstation as has been described in conjunction with the preferred embodiments, at which charges are requested and issued.Workstation614 is comprised within the first computer subsystem of the exemplary system architectures, as has been described.Workstation614 may not be attached toserver610 likecomputers612 for security reasons. That is, in a large firm environment having a number ofcomputers612, it may be desirable to have aseparate workstation614 so that firm personnel are forced to enter in their charge requests on a separate machine, such that theworkstation614 may be monitored by a specific firm personnel (such as an accountant, etc.).
• In an alternative embodiment, charge requests may be generated at any of[0104]computers612, but the requests are pooled atworkstation614, so that the accounting department of the firm may monitor the charges that have been requested, and finalize or approve their issuance. In this embodiment, security is maintained because no charges are issued until a central authority approves them, but convenience is provided for by permitting any user of the law firm to request a charge without having to leave aparticular computer612.Workstation614 may itself be physically located in the firm's accounting department, the firm's docketing department, the firm's mail room, etc.
• [0105]Workstation614 is specifically shown in FIG. 6 as coupled toprinter616.Printer616 may be a laser printer or an ink jet printer. In one embodiment of the invention,printer616 is utilized to print checks for the requested patent and trademark fees. The checks may be printed on blank check printing stock, for ease of use and maintenance, using a special magnetic ink installed inprinter616. Such magnetic ink is commercially available. Alternatively, the checks may be preprinted as payable to a particular patent or patent and trademark agency, and the printer only prints the date, number, and amount of the fee on the check.
• [0106]Workstation614 is also specifically shown in FIG. 6 as coupled tomodem618. The invention is not limited to anyparticular modem618, but in oneembodiment modem618 communicates at 28,800 baud over a PTSN, and in another embodiment communicates at 56,000 baud over an ISDN, as known within the art.Modem618 is utilized byworkstation614 to communicate with the fee computer system, which would also have a modem communicatively compatible withmodem618.
• [0107]Workstation614 is also coupled toaccounting system620.Accounting system620 is the accounting system as has been described in conjunction with the preferred methods that receives electronic invoices fromworkstation614.Accounting system620 is comprised within the second computer subsystem of the firm computer system as has been described in conjunction with the exemplary system architectures.Accounting system620 is also a computer of a type such ascomputers612 are. As shown,accounting system620 is directly connected toworkstation614; however, it may also be connected toworkstation614 throughserver610.Accounting system620 is preferably connected toserver610, although this is not required. If for security reasons such connection is not desirable, then accountingsystem620 need not connect toserver610.
• As shown in FIG. 6,[0108]accounting system620 is coupled tomodem622. The invention is not limited to anyparticular modem622, but in oneembodiment modem622 communicates at 28,800 baud over a PTSN, and at 56,000 baud over an ISDN in another embodiment, as known within the art.Modem622 is utilized byaccounting system620 to communicate with the fee computer system, which would also have a modem communicatively compatible withmodem622. Although as shown in FIG. 6, each ofworkstation614 andaccounting system620 has a separate modem, in one embodiment, both share a single modem to communication with the fee computer system of the financing organization.
• Referring next to FIG. 7, another exemplary hardware implementation of the firm computer system is shown. Like the firm computer system of FIG. 6, the firm computer system of FIG. 7 includes a[0109]server610, a plurality ofcomputers612, aprinter616, and anaccounting system620. However, the firm computer system of FIG. 7 does not include adedicated workstation614. Rather, each ofcomputers612 includes functionality to serve asworkstation614. That is, each ofcomputers612 is amenable to input of a requested charge for a patent or trademark fee, which is then issued by theparticular computer612 and printed onprinter616 as has been described. This hardware implementation is desirable in small firms not having a large number ofcomputers612, and thus not having the security issues that may be present in large firms have a large number ofcomputers612.
• In addition, communication between the firm computer system and the fee computer system of the financing organization in FIG. 7 is accomplished over the Internet, as opposed to direct modem-to-modem communication as in FIG. 6. Specifically,[0110]server610 has a connection to theInternet712, to which the fee computer system of the financing organization also has a connection. The invention is not limited to the manner by which the server or the fee computer system is connected to the Internet.
• Two exemplary hardware implementations have been described. It is noted that the invention is not so limited to either hardware implementation. For example, the basic hardware implementation of FIG. 6, but with Internet communication to the fee computer system of the financing organization, is also amenable under the invention. For further example, the basic hardware implementation of FIG. 7, but with direct modem-to-modem communication with the fee computer system of the financing organization, is amenable under the invention as well.[0111]
Additional Functionality Provided by Alternative Embodiments
• The preferred methods, exemplary system architecture, and exemplary hardware implementation of the present invention have been described. Specifically, a computerized method and system in which a patent or trademark fee for a client of a firm is charged against an account maintained by a financing organization separate from the firm has been described. It is contemplated that other functionality is provided by alternative embodiments of the invention.[0112]
• In a first alternative embodiment of the invention, the firm personnel entering in the charge request at the workstation is able to flag that the requested charge should be payable against the firm's own account (either a deposit account, or by printing check cashable against the firm's account with a financial institution). This is desirable where the firm wants to finance the fee itself or believes for whatever reason that the client for which the fee is being advanced will not be able to repay the fee. In this situation, the firm desires to pay the fee itself so that it will not also have to also pay the service charge exacted by the financing organization in paying the fee on behalf of the client.[0113]
• Furthermore, when the firm's own deposit account is utilized, in a second alternative embodiment of the invention, the client's fees are still financed by the financing organization, such that the financing organization deposits funds into the firm's own deposit account, and then exact a service charge against the client as before.[0114]
• In a third alternative embodiment of the invention, the fee computer system of the financing organization downloads on a monthly basis, or at the end of a second predetermined period, the firm's monthly billing records, to ensure that the charges for the patent and trademark fees, along with their corresponding service charges, were properly billed to the firm's clients. This is desirable as a further measure to prevent fraud on the financing organization, and also as a service to the law firm that it is billing its clients correctly.[0115]
• In a fourth alternative embodiment of the invention, the clients are billed a service charge for patent and trademark fees advanced on their behalf to a patent or patent and trademark agency according to their classification, the particular scheme of which is not limited by the invention. For example, larger or otherwise more creditworthy clients may be charged less of a service charge than smaller or otherwise less creditworthy clients for the same patent or trademark fee advanced on their behalf.[0116]
• In a fifth alternative embodiment, the firm personnel inputting a requested charge for a patent or trademark fee may divide how the fee is to be paid. For example, an extension fee is occasionally paid for by the firm, not the client whose matter the fee relates to. In such instance, the firm personnel may specify that the extension fee is to debited from the firm's deposit account, or paid for by a check cashable against the firm's financial account, whereas any other fees are to be advanced by the financing organization separate from the firm, as has been described herein. For further example, additional fees may be charged to a second deposit account, to segregate errors from authorizations, and assuring payment of issue fees and other fees.[0117]
• In a sixth alternative embodiment, the patent and trademark fee payment system and method described in previous sections of the detailed description is modified to submit payment to a foreign firm associated with the law firm, instead of to a patent agency. However, because payment terms to such foreign firms do not typically require immediate payment, in such an alternative embodiment, the payment to the foreign firm is submitted after a predetermined period following the request. In other aspects, however, this embodiment of the invention operates as has been described in previous sections of the detailed description. The term agency as used in this application, therefore, is meant to cover such foreign associate firms, as well as other firms and entities, in addition to patent and patent or trademark agencies such as the USPTO, the EPO, etc.[0118]
• As an example of this embodiment, a law firm may request payment on June 1 for a foreign associate invoice. The financing organization would issue an authorization and commit to pay this invoice on October 30, with payment due December 30. On October 30, the system will generate a check to pay the invoice. However, the law firm may immediately invoice its client in June for the law firm's obligation to repay the financing organization on December 30. Therefore, the firm will receive payment from its client for the foreign associate invoice even prior to the finance organization issuing a charge for the foreign associate fees, which is beneficial to the firm.[0119]
• In a seventh alternative embodiment, the invention provides for the capability of tracking retainer balances for the clients of a firm. Therefore, when a charge request is made, the request can denote whether the charge should be made as has been described (i.e., advanced by a financing organization, etc.), or whether the charge should be paid from the retainer balance, and the retainer balance decreased accordingly. In such an embodiment, the printing of a check may be performed a printer separate from the printer used to print checks payable against an account maintained by the financing organization, although the invention is not necessarily so limited.[0120]
• In an eighth alternative embodiment, the invention enables firm personnel to receive an authorization for a charge, and then afterwards (such as one or two days after receiving the authorization and mailing the associated transmittal) request that the system print a check payable to a patent agency to deposit funds to cover the charge. For example, a firm personnel on a first day may receive an authorization code for a debit of the deposit account for the filing fee associated with a patent application to the United States Patent and Trademark Office. On the next day, this debit would be flagged by the system and called to the attention OF firm personnel who could then request that the system print a check payable to a deposit account with the patent agency to cover the debit. The deposit account may be the financing organization's or the firm's; furthermore, the check may be payable against a financial account maintained by either the financing organization or the firm. The invention is not so limited.[0121]
Software Listing
• The following software listing illustrated in FIG. 24 of a preferred embodiment of the invention, as will be appreciated by understood by those of ordinary skill in the art. The software listing is written in Microsoft Fox Pro. In addition, FIGS. 8, 9,[0122]10,11,12,13,14,15,16 and17 show screen shots from an exemplary embodiment of the invention, while FIGS. 18, 19,20,21,22 and23 show forms and reports from an exemplary embodiment of the invention.
Conclusion
• A computerized method and system in which a patent or trademark fee for a client of a firm is charged against an account maintained by a financing organization separate from the firm has been described. In particular, preferred methods, exemplary system architectures, and exemplary hardware implementations of the present invention have been described.[0123]
• It is noted that as various computer systems have been described in relation to first information, second information, accounts, etc., it is assumed in such description that the computer systems do not directly manipulate the first information, second information, accounts, etc., but rather manipulate data representing the first information, second information, accounts, etc., as those of ordinary skill within the art will appreciate.[0124]
• Furthermore, although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that any arrangement which is calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the present invention. Therefore, it is manifestly intended that this invention be limited only by the following claims and equivalents thereof.[0125]

Claims (77)

1. Apparatus comprising one or more computers programmed to receive data specifying payments for a plurality of out-of-pocket costs for one or more clients of a law firm and to generate a separate charge in relation to each respective out-of-pocket cost wherein each charge is determined at least in substantial part as a function of the cost of financing a loan to cover payment of the out-of-pocket costs, wherein the respective charges are determined substantially at the same time the firm arranges to pay the out-of-pocket cost.

2. Apparatus according toclaim 1 further wherein the out-of-pocket cost is a fee paid to a government patent and trademark office.

3. Apparatus according toclaim 1 further wherein the out-of-pocket cost is a paid by a transfer of funds from the law firm to a third party.

4. Apparatus according toclaim 1 further wherein the out-of-pocket cost is financed by a financing organization independent of the law firm.

5. Apparatus according toclaim 1 further wherein the separate charge is determined prior to a transfer of funds to pay the out-of-pocket cost.

6. Apparatus according toclaim 1 further wherein the arranging to pay the out-of-pocket cost comprises issuing a check to pay the out-of-pocket expense.

7. Apparatus according toclaim 1 further wherein the arranging to pay the out-of-pocket cost comprises authorizing payment of the out-of-pocket cost.

8. Apparatus according toclaim 1 further wherein arranging to pay the out-of-pocket cost comprises requesting that the out-of-pocket cost be paid at a future time.

9. Apparatus according toclaim 1 further wherein the substantially at the same time comprises substantially the same day as arranging to pay the out-of-pocket cost.

10. Apparatus according toclaim 1 further wherein the substantially at the same time comprises substantially the same month the out-of-pocket cost was arranged to be paid in.

11. Apparatus comprising one or more computers programmed to receive data specifying payments for a plurality of out-of-pocket costs for one or more clients of a law firm and to generate a separate charge in relation to each respective out-of-pocket cost wherein each charge is based substantially on a cost of services related to a loan of funds to pay the out-of-pocket cost, wherein the respective charges are determined substantially at the same time the firm arranges to pay the out-of-pocket cost.

12. Apparatus according toclaim 11 further wherein the out-of-pocket cost is a fee paid to a government patent and trademark office.

13. Apparatus according toclaim 11 further wherein the out-of-pocket cost is a paid by a transfer of funds from the law firm to a third party.

14. Apparatus according toclaim 11 further wherein the out-of-pocket cost is financed by a financing organization independent of the law firm.

15. Apparatus according toclaim 11 further wherein the separate charge is determined prior to a transfer of funds to pay the out-of-pocket cost.

16. Apparatus according toclaim 11 further wherein the arranging to pay the out-of-pocket cost comprises issuing a check to pay the out-of-pocket expense.

17. Apparatus according toclaim 11 further wherein the arranging to pay the out-of-pocket cost comprises authorizing payment of the out-of-pocket cost.

18. Apparatus according toclaim 11 further wherein arranging to pay the out-of-pocket cost comprises requesting that the out-of-pocket cost be paid at a future time.

19. Apparatus according toclaim 11 further wherein the substantially at the same time comprises substantially the same day as arranging to pay the out-of-pocket cost.

20. Apparatus according toclaim 11 further wherein the substantially at the same time comprises substantially the same month the out-of-pocket cost was arranged to be paid in.

21. Apparatus comprising one or more computers programmed to receive data specifying payments for a plurality of cash out-of-pocket costs for one or more clients of a law firm and to generate a separate charge in relation to each respective out-of-pocket cost wherein each charge is determined at least in substantial part as a function of the cost of financing a loan to cover payment of the out-of-pocket costs, wherein the respective charges are determined substantially at the same time the firm arranges to pay the out-of-pocket cost.

22. Apparatus according toclaim 21 further wherein the out-of-pocket cost is a fee paid to a government patent and trademark office.

23. Apparatus according toclaim 21 further wherein the out-of-pocket cost is a paid by a transfer of funds from the law firm to a third party.

24. Apparatus according toclaim 21 further wherein the out-of-pocket cost is financed by a financing organization independent of the law firm.

25. Apparatus according toclaim 21 further wherein the separate charge is determined prior to a transfer of funds to pay the out-of-pocket cost.

26. Apparatus according toclaim 21 further wherein the arranging to pay the out-of-pocket cost comprises issuing a check to pay the out-of-pocket expense.

27. Apparatus according toclaim 21 further wherein the arranging to pay the out-of-pocket cost comprises authorizing payment of the out-of-pocket cost.

28. Apparatus according toclaim 21 further wherein arranging to pay the out-of-pocket cost comprises requesting that the out-of-pocket cost be paid at a future time.

29. Apparatus according toclaim 21 further wherein the substantially at the same time comprises substantially the same day as arranging to pay the out-of-pocket cost.

30. Apparatus according toclaim 21 further wherein the substantially at the same time comprises substantially the same month the out-of-pocket cost was arranged to be paid in.

31. Apparatus comprising one or more computers programmed to receive data specifying payments for a plurality of cash out-of-pocket costs for one or more clients of a law firm and to generate a separate charge in relation to each respective out-of-pocket cost wherein each charge is based substantially on a cost of services related to a loan of funds to pay the out-of-pocket cost, wherein the respective charges are determined substantially at the same time the firm arranges to pay the out-of-pocket cost.

32. Apparatus according toclaim 31 further wherein the out-of-pocket cost is a fee paid to a government patent and trademark office.

33. Apparatus according toclaim 31 further wherein the out-of-pocket cost is a paid by a transfer of funds from the law firm to a third party.

34. Apparatus according toclaim 31 further wherein the out-of-pocket cost is financed by a financing organization independent of the law firm.

35. Apparatus according toclaim 31 further wherein the separate charge is determined prior to a transfer of funds to pay the out-of-pocket cost.

36. Apparatus according toclaim 31 further wherein the arranging to pay the out-of-pocket cost comprises issuing a check to pay the out-of-pocket expense.

37. Apparatus according toclaim 31 further wherein the arranging to pay the out-of-pocket cost comprises authorizing payment of the out-of-pocket cost.

38. Apparatus according toclaim 31 further wherein arranging to pay the out-of-pocket cost comprises requesting that the out-of-pocket cost be paid at a future time.

39. Apparatus according toclaim 31 further wherein the substantially at the same time comprises substantially the same day as arranging to pay the out-of-pocket cost.

40. Apparatus according toclaim 31 further wherein the substantially at the same time comprises substantially the same month the out-of-pocket cost was arranged to be paid in.

41. A method comprising: a law firm arranging to pay a plurality of out-of-pocket costs for one or more clients; and the law firm billing the one or more clients a separate charge in relation to each respective out-of-pocket cost wherein each charge is based substantially on the cost of financing a loan to cover payment of the out-of-pocket costs, wherein the respective charges are determined substantially at the same time the firm arranges to pay the out-of-pocket cost.

42. A method according toclaim 41 further wherein the out-of-pocket cost is a fee paid to a government patent and trademark office.

43. A method according toclaim 41 further wherein the out-of-pocket cost is a paid by a transfer of funds from the law firm to a third party.

44. A method according toclaim 41 further wherein the out-of-pocket cost is financed by a financing organization independent of the law firm.

45. A method according toclaim 41 further wherein the separate charge is determined prior to a transfer of funds to pay the out-of-pocket cost.

46. A method according toclaim 41 further wherein the arranging to pay the out-of-pocket cost comprises issuing a check to pay the out-of-pocket expense.

47. A method according toclaim 41 further wherein the arranging to pay the out-of-pocket cost comprises authorizing payment of the out-of-pocket cost.

48. A method according toclaim 41 further wherein arranging to pay the out-of-pocket cost comprises requesting that the out-of-pocket cost be paid at a future time.

49. A method according toclaim 41 further wherein the substantially at the same time comprises substantially the same day as arranging to pay the out-of-pocket cost.

50. A method according toclaim 41 further wherein the substantially at the same time comprises substantially the same month the out-of-pocket cost was arranged to be paid in.

51. A method comprising: a law firm arranging to pay a plurality of out-of-pocket costs for one or more clients; and the law firm billing the one or more clients a separate charge in relation to each respective out-of-pocket cost wherein each charge is based substantially on the cost of services related to a loan of funds to pay the out-of-pocket cost, wherein the respective charges are determined substantially at the same time the firm arranges to pay the out-of-pocket cost.

52. A method according toclaim 51 further wherein the out-of-pocket cost is a fee paid to a government patent and trademark office.

53. A method according toclaim 51 further wherein the out-of-pocket cost is a paid by a transfer of funds from the law firm to a third party.

54. A method according toclaim 51 further wherein the out-of-pocket cost is financed by a financing organization independent of the law firm.

55. A method according toclaim 51 further wherein the separate charge is determined prior to a transfer of funds to pay the out-of-pocket cost.

56. A method according toclaim 51 further wherein the arranging to pay the out-of-pocket cost comprises issuing a check to pay the out-of-pocket expense.

57. A method according toclaim 51 further wherein the arranging to pay the out-of-pocket cost comprises authorizing payment of the out-of-pocket cost.

58. A method according toclaim 51 further wherein arranging to pay the out-of-pocket cost comprises requesting that the out-of-pocket cost be paid at a future time.

59. A method according toclaim 51 further wherein the substantially at the same time comprises substantially the same day as arranging to pay the out-of-pocket cost.

60. A method according toclaim 51 further wherein the substantially at the same time comprises substantially the same month the out-of-pocket cost was arranged to be paid in.

61. A method comprising: a law firm paying a plurality of cash out-of-pocket costs for one or more clients; and the law firm billing the one or more clients a separate charge in relation to each respective out-of-pocket cost wherein each charge is based substantially on the cost of financing a loan to cover payment of the out-of-pocket costs, wherein the respective charges are determined substantially at the same time the firm arranges to pay the out-of-pocket cost.

62. A method according toclaim 61 further wherein the out-of-pocket cost is a fee paid to a government patent and trademark office.

63. A method according toclaim 61 further wherein the out-of-pocket cost is a paid by a transfer of funds from the law firm to a third party.

64. A method according toclaim 61 further wherein the out-of-pocket cost is financed by a financing organization independent of the law firm.

65. A method according toclaim 61 further wherein the separate charge is determined prior to a transfer of funds to pay the out-of-pocket cost.

66. A method according toclaim 61 further wherein the arranging to pay the out-of-pocket cost comprises issuing a check to pay the out-of-pocket expense.

67. A method according toclaim 61 further wherein the arranging to pay the out-of-pocket cost comprises authorizing payment of the out-of-pocket cost.

68. A method according toclaim 61 further wherein arranging to pay the out-of-pocket cost comprises requesting that the out-of-pocket cost be paid at a future time.

69. A method comprising: a law firm paying a plurality of cash out-of-pocket costs for one or more clients; and the law firm billing the one or more clients a separate charge in relation to each respective out-of-pocket cost wherein each charge is based substantially on the cost of services related to a loan of funds to pay the out-of-pocket cost, wherein the respective charges are determined substantially at the same time the firm arranges to pay the out-of-pocket cost.

70. A method according toclaim 69 further wherein the out-of-pocket cost is a fee paid to a government patent and trademark office.

71. A method according toclaim 69 further wherein the out-of-pocket cost is a paid by a transfer of funds from the law firm to a third party.

72. A method according toclaim 69 further wherein the out-of-pocket cost is financed by a financing organization independent of the law firm.

73. A method according toclaim 69 further wherein the separate charge is determined prior to a transfer of funds to pay the out-of-pocket cost.

74. A method according toclaim 69 further wherein the arranging to pay the out-of-pocket cost comprises issuing a check to pay the out-of-pocket expense.

75. A method according toclaim 69 further wherein the arranging to pay the out-of-pocket cost comprises authorizing payment of the out-of-pocket cost.

76. A method according toclaim 69 further wherein arranging to pay the out-of-pocket cost comprises requesting that the out-of-pocket cost be paid at a future time.

77. A method according toclaim 69 further wherein the substantially at the same time comprises the same day as arranging to pay the out-of-pocket expense.

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