A patent agent is not necessarily a lawyer. According to relevant laws and regulations, patent agents are professionals in legally established patent agencies and can apply for patents or handle other patent affairs according to law, while lawyers are professionals in legally established law firms.
Legal objectivity:
Article 18 of the Patent Law of People's Republic of China (PRC) Where a foreigner, foreign enterprise or other foreign organization that has no habitual residence or business office in China applies for a patent in China, it shall be handled in accordance with the agreement signed between his country and China or the international treaty to which * * * is a party, or in accordance with the principle of reciprocity. Article 19 of the Patent Law of People's Republic of China (PRC) If a foreigner, foreign enterprise or other foreign organization that has no habitual residence or business office in China applies for a patent or handles other patent affairs in China, it shall entrust a legally established patent agency to handle it. Units or individuals applying for patents and handling other patent affairs in China may entrust a legally established patent agency to handle them. Patent agencies shall abide by laws and administrative regulations, accept the entrustment of clients, and handle patent applications or other patent affairs; The contents of the client's invention and creation shall be kept confidential, except that the patent application has been published or announced. Specific measures for the administration of patent agencies shall be formulated by the State Council.