Opinion ID: 1972528
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: john cook complaint

Text: Respondent was retained by John Cook in April 1981 to obtain a patent for his invention of a light bulb base modification. Respondent received a $250 retainer and was to be paid $75 an hour. Respondent went to Washington, D.C. and searched the patent records. On April 20, 1981, he informed Mr. Cook that he believed Mr. Cook had a good chance in obtaining his patent. At a conference on July 22, 1981, Respondent discouraged Mr. Cook from seeking financial support from others, stating he believed that the invention was to be saleable and Mr. Cook would receive funding through various grants. For the next two years, Mr. Cook was not able to contact Respondent. Telephone calls and letters went unanswered. Mr. Cook then retained another attorney who wanted $3,000 to process a patent application. Mr. Cook, by this time, had lost his backers and did not have sufficient funds to complete the procedures.