Drori-Stav IP acts as Israeli patent counsel and local associate for foreign patent attorneys, IP law firms and corporate IP departments handling patent matters in Israel. This page explains the practical working relationship with foreign counsel. For the substantive scope of our filing and prosecution practice, see our patent prosecution services in Israel.
How Foreign Counsel Can Instruct Us
Foreign counsel may instruct us for a new Israeli filing, a PCT national phase entry, an existing Israeli application, a pending Patent Office deadline or another Israeli patent matter. The instruction can come directly from the foreign firm, and our reporting is directed to the instructing counsel.
For a new instruction, foreign counsel should provide the firm’s matter or reference number, the applicant or patent owner’s name, the relevant PCT, foreign or Israeli application number, the applicable Israeli deadline, the action requested and any relevant claims, Office Action or prosecution documents. After reviewing the instruction, we confirm what additional information or documents are required for the Israeli matter.
Taking Over an Existing Israeli Patent Matter
Foreign firms may also ask us to take over an existing Israeli patent application or proceeding. A transfer is different from a new filing because the immediate priority is to establish the current procedural position and identify any pending deadlines.
For an efficient transition, foreign counsel should provide the Israeli application or patent number, the latest Israel Patent Office correspondence, the current claim set, any known pending deadline and, where relevant, materials from corresponding foreign applications. We review the available record, identify the next required action and confirm any documents needed to place the matter under our handling.
Deadlines, Docketing and Reporting
When we receive an instruction, we review the materials for the relevant Israeli procedural deadline and the action requested. During the matter, we report developments to the instructing foreign counsel and provide the relevant Israel Patent Office correspondence and filing or prosecution confirmations.
Foreign firms can include their own matter reference in the instruction so that correspondence and reporting can be matched to the firm’s internal docket.
Coordinating Israeli and Foreign Prosecution
Israeli prosecution often develops alongside examination of related applications before the USPTO, EPO and other patent offices. Foreign counsel may therefore send us search reports, Office Actions, allowed claims, amendments or other prosecution materials from corresponding applications.
Where relevant to the Israeli case, these materials can be considered when advising on claim amendments, responses and prosecution strategy. Israeli requirements remain distinct, however, and a position accepted by a foreign patent office does not automatically determine the result in Israel. For a detailed discussion of local examination issues, see our Patent Prosecution in Israel guide.
Israeli Requirements That May Need Separate Attention
Foreign counsel should be aware that an Israeli application may require attention to local procedural requirements even when the corresponding foreign cases are progressing normally. One example is the prior-art and foreign-prosecution disclosure framework under Section 18 of the Israeli Patents Law. Developments in corresponding applications may therefore be relevant to the Israeli file.
For Office Action-specific issues, see our guide to responding to Patent Office Actions in Israel.
Working Through the Instructing Foreign Firm
Where a foreign patent firm instructs us, the firm remains the point of coordination for the Israeli matter. Instructions, substantive reporting and procedural updates are handled through the instructing counsel unless a different communication arrangement is requested for the matter.
This structure allows the foreign firm to maintain oversight of the international patent family while using Israeli counsel for the local procedure.
Associate Fees and Quotations
Foreign patent attorneys and IP firms may request our current Israeli patent associate fee schedule or a quotation for a specific matter. When requesting a quotation, it is helpful to provide the application number, the relevant deadline and the action required so that the scope can be identified accurately.
For general background on expected filing and prosecution expenses, see Patent Filing Costs in Israel.
Sending a New Instruction
To send a new instruction or request our associate fee schedule, contact Drori-Stav IP – Advocates & Patent Attorneys at office@dwo.co.il or +972-3-6005572.
For information about our professional recognition, see our rankings and professional recognition.
