Invoicing

The foreign patent offices typically bill us directly for work that we have given them, rather than billing our clients. Unfortunately, since we pay our bills in a timely fashion regardless of when our clients pay us, the result is that we often float the invoiced amounts for several months. To at least partially offset that effect, we generally secure advance payment from our clients before filing in foreign countries, and in some instances we require that the foreign associates bill the clients directly.

Associates in some countries (especially Mexico and some Eastern European states) tend to demand funds up front, before they file an application. If one is already at the precipice, having waited until the last minute to file foreign applications, this could cause the applicant to irrevocably lose rights! It is far better to work with foreign associates that don't demand advance funding.