章 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.
"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 took a moment to flip through the pages, his expression unreadable. "This is quite thorough," he commented, adjusting his round spectacles as he scanned the details. "But before we proceed, I need to understand a few things to ensure we secure the strongest possible protection."
"Of course," Matthew replied, leaning forward. "Ask whatever you need."
Raikes looked up from the documents, his gaze piercing. "First, have you disclosed the full functionality of this invention to anyone outside of Mr. Fitzwilliam and his daughter? And secondly, are there any similar designs or competing inventions you are aware of in the market?"
Matthew hesitated for a brief moment. "No, aside from Mr. Fitzwilliam and Miss Amber, no one else knows the full details. As for competition... there are horseless carriages being developed domestically and internationally, but none that match the efficiency and speed of my design."
"I see so there is someone here in this country trying huh?" Raikes clicked his tongue. "How will you differentiate yourself with that inventor you discovered that is working on the same prototype?"
"A lot," Matthew began confidently, leaning forward with a gleam in his eye. "You see…"
"No need to explain, Mr. Hesh. I am just being certain," Raikes raised a hand, stopping Matthew from speaking.
"I see that you are confident in your work, to the point that even if someone contests it, you are going to win, you are going to win," Raikes finished with a thin smile, lowering his hand.
"I am confident that if someone contested my design, I will win because my design isn't just a minor improvement; it's a fundamental leap forward," Matthew continued with conviction, his eyes alight with passion. He leaned forward, his hands resting on the desk as he faced Tom Raikes directly.
"Very well…that is all that I need to hear. I will have to have you fill up some forms here…"
Matthew nodded, adjusting his posture in his chair. "What forms exactly will I need to fill out?" he asked, eager to understand the process ahead.
Tom Raikes flipped open a folder and pulled out several sheets of paper, neatly arranged in a stack.
"You'll be completing a few critical documents," Raikes began. "First, there's the Patent Application Form—this will officially register your invention with the patent office. It requires a detailed description of the invention, including all technical drawings and schematics you've provided here."
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".
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