🚀 go-pugleaf

Philo wrote:
> 
> Based on
> 
> 1948 16307
> 1990 34546
> 1996 42000
> 
> The growth is decreasing.

I think not.  Between ~1950 and 1990, thats approx 20,000 patent 
attorneys over a period of 40 years, or an average of 500/year.

Since 1990, I estimate about 1000 per year.
 
> Can we get some more? Also, what's the current number at?

I think more numbers would be helpful in proving/disproving my theory.  
Unfortuantely, the atty. roster does not list date of practice.

Maybe others can help fill in my graph (see other post).

As an incidental note, I have seen some variation in the number ordering. 
 Does OED assign numbers based upon the date of the first exam?  Hmmmm...

> Finally, isn't the registration number for patent *agent*, not patent
> *attorney*? Seems like a significant difference to me...

Both Attorneys and Agents must register to practice.  From the OED 
perspective, there is little distinction between them.  I started as an 
Agent (and have an Agent's certificate to show for it).  When I became an 
Attorney, they issued a new certificate, with the same number.

So the numbers are assigned equally to attorneys and agents, and the 
registration numbers are a good quantifier as to the number of folks 
taking the exam and the number available to practice.

Regards,

--Bob.

-- 
Robert Platt Bell & Associates, P.C.
Patent, Trademark, & Copyright Matters
917 Duke Street
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