Are Patent Search Fees Considered Legal Fees

[williammaw]

I recall that in my tax return a few years back, patent
search fees were accounted as legal fees. I think this is
because a law firm specializing in patent law did it. If a
non-law firm had done it, would it be considered non-legal
fees?

To my understanding, if an expense item isn't considered
legal fees the whole amount can be deducted as an expense
for the specific year, but if it is considered legal, it has
to be spread out over a time period. The expense was only a
moderate amount, but I just wanted to clarify this.

Thank you in advance ...