System and method for a law firm to incur separate charges in relation to handling out-of-pocket costs

Abstract

A computerized method and system for the payment of out-of-pocket fees such as patent and trademark fees is disclosed. The patent or trademark fee for a client of a firm is charged against an account maintained by an organization separate from the firm. A charge issued at a workstation at the firm is delivered to a patent or patent and trademark agency, or a foreign associate firm, where it is cashed against an account maintained by the separate organization. The firm bills the client for the fee, along with a service charge, while the separate organization bills the firm for the fee and the service charge. Payment from the client to the firm for the fee and service charge is then sent to the separate organization to cover the firm's bill from the separate organization. A law firm maintains its own account and uses a second account funded with a loan to pay the out-of-pocket costs. According to one or more example embodiments of the inventive subject matter hereof, but not by limitation, there is provided method and apparatus providing for a law firm to arrange to pay a plurality of out-of-pocket costs for one or more clients, and the law firm incurring an obligation to pay a separate charge in relation to each respective out-of-pocket cost to at least in part cover a cost of financing the out-of-pocket costs.

1 . A method comprising: a law firm arranging to pay a plurality of out-of-pocket costs for one or more clients; and the law firm incurring an obligation to pay a separate charge in relation to each respective out-of-pocket cost, wherein the separate charge at least in part covers a cost of financing the respective out-of-pocket cost.  
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1  further wherein the out-of-pocket cost is a fee paid to a government patent and trademark office.  
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 1  further wherein the out-of-pocket cost is a paid by a transfer of funds from the law firm to a third party.  
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 1  further wherein the out-of-pocket cost is financed by a financing organization independent of the law firm.  
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 1  further wherein the separate charge is determined prior to a transfer of funds to pay the out-of-pocket cost.  
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 1  further wherein the arranging to pay the out-of-pocket cost comprises issuing a check to pay the out-of-pocket expense.  
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 1  further wherein the arranging to pay the out-of-pocket cost comprises authorizing payment of the out-of-pocket cost.  
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 1  further wherein arranging to pay the out-of-pocket cost comprises requesting that the out-of-pocket cost be paid at a future time.  
     
     
         9 . A method comprising: a law firm arranging to pay a plurality of out-of-pocket costs for one or more clients; and the law firm incurring an obligation to pay a separate charge in relation to each respective out-of-pocket cost, wherein the separate charge at least in part pays for services related to a loan of funds to pay the respective out-of-pocket cost.  
     
     
         10 . A method according to  claim 9  further wherein the out-of-pocket cost is a fee paid to a government patent and trademark office.  
     
     
         11 . A method according to  claim 9  further wherein the out-of-pocket cost is a paid by a transfer of funds from the law firm to a third party.  
     
     
         12 . A method according to  claim 9  further wherein the out-of-pocket cost is financed by a financing organization independent of the law firm.  
     
     
         13 . A method according to  claim 9  further wherein the separate charge is determined prior to a transfer of funds to pay the out-of-pocket cost.  
     
     
         14 . A method according to  claim 9  further wherein the arranging to pay the out-of-pocket cost comprises issuing a check to pay the out-of-pocket expense.  
     
     
         15 . A method according to  claim 9  further wherein the arranging to pay the out-of-pocket cost comprises authorizing payment of the out-of-pocket cost.  
     
     
         16 . A method according to  claim 9  further wherein arranging to pay the out-of-pocket cost comprises requesting that the out-of-pocket cost be paid at a future time.  
     
     
         17 . A method comprising: a law firm arranging to pay a plurality of out-of-pocket costs for one or more clients; and the law firm incurring an obligation to pay a separate charge in relation to each respective out-of-pocket cost, wherein the separate charge at least in part covers a cost of financing the out-of-pocket costs; and the law firm billing the one or more clients for at least some of the separate charges for which the law firm incurred an obligation.  
     
     
         18 . A method according to  claim 17  further wherein the out-of-pocket cost is a fee paid to a government patent and trademark office.  
     
     
         19 . A method according to  claim 17  further wherein the out-of-pocket cost is a paid by a transfer of funds from the law firm to a third party.  
     
     
         20 . A method according to  claim 17  further wherein the out-of-pocket cost is financed by a financing organization independent of the law firm.