NABC Chapter 22: The Lawyer Arrives
Chapter 22: The Lawyer Arrives
Chapter 22: The Lawyer Arrives
Two days later, at Matthew's factory.
Matthew was busy in his office, meticulously organizing all the documents related to the automobile. He had spent the past two days ensuring every detail was in order for the patent application. Now, everything was laid out neatly on his desk, ready for the attorney sent by Mr. Fitzwilliam to review.
A sharp knock on the door interrupted his focus.
"Come in," Matthew called, looking up from his desk.
Ben stepped in, a grin on his face. "The lawyer has arrived, boss. He's waiting outside."
"Perfect. Show him in."
A moment later, the door swung open again, and in walked a gentleman dressed in a perfectly tailored three-piece black suit, complete with a polished top hat. He carried a worn leather briefcase that looked as though it had seen countless boardrooms and courtrooms.
"Mr. Hesh, I presume?" The lawyer spoke with a crisp, authoritative tone as he approached Matthew's desk.
"Yes, that's correct," Matthew replied, rising to his feet and extending his hand. "A pleasure to meet you, sir."
The lawyer took his hand firmly. "Tom Raikes," he introduced himself. "I've been briefed by Mr. Fitzwilliam regarding your unique invention." He set his briefcase down on a chair and removed his hat, revealing neatly combed hair. His eyes were sharp and assessing as they scanned the room, lingering briefly on the blueprints and documents spread out on Matthew's desk.Nôv(el)B\\jnn
"Please, have a seat," Matthew gestured to the chair opposite him.
Tom Raikes settled into the chair, placing his briefcase on his lap. With a swift motion, he unlatched it, revealing a stack of legal documents and folders. "I understand we're here to discuss the patent application for your automobile," he began, his tone businesslike. "Mr. Fitzwilliam was very clear that this matter needs to be expedited. Let's get straight to it."
Matthew nodded, sliding the documents he had prepared across the desk. "I've gathered everything I believe you'll need, including blueprints, technical specifications, and my research notes."
Raikes slid the form across the desk, pointing to the sections that required Matthew's attention. "You'll need to describe how your invention operates, its unique features, and how it differs from anything currently available. The more thorough and precise you are, the better our chances of securing comprehensive protection."
Matthew nodded, already glancing over the dense text. "Alright, I understand. What's next?"
Raikes pulled out another set of documents. "The second form is the Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) for any parties you might need to involve in future developments. This will protect your design from being copied if you decide to bring in more engineers or partners before the patent is officially approved."
"I see," Matthew replied.
"And finally," Raikes continued, placing a slightly thicker document in front of him, "there's the Provisional Patent Application. This is crucial—it grants you temporary protection while the full patent application is processed. It's especially useful if you plan to demonstrate your automobile publicly or to potential investors in the near future."
Matthew's eyes lit up. "So, this will allow me to showcase my automobile without fear of someone stealing the design?"
"Precisely," Raikes confirmed with a nod. "The provisional patent grants you a year of protection, during which time you can refine your design, seek funding, or prepare for manufacturing. It's an effective shield while we finalize the full patent."
Matthew picked up a pen, ready to dive into the paperwork. "This is exactly what I need. Let's get started."
Raikes adjusted his spectacles and began guiding Matthew through the forms, section by section. As Matthew diligently filled out the required fields, Raikes provided clarifications on any legal jargon, ensuring every detail was correctly documented.
After what felt like hours of intense focus, Matthew finally signed the last page. Raikes gathered the completed forms, carefully tucking them back into his briefcase.
"I'll have these submitted to the patent office by the end of the day," Raikes assured him. "Once your provisional patent is in place, you'll be free to showcase your invention to potential investors, including Mr. Fitzwilliam."
Matthew let out a sigh of relief, leaning back in his chair. "Thank you, Mr. Raikes. This means a lot. I've been waiting for this moment for a long time."
Raikes stood, adjusting his suit jacket. "I am just doing my job".