| Did you know that you might be eligible to | | | | you will be classified as a Patent Agent |
| gain entry into the field of patent law even | | | | after you pass the Patent Bar Exam. If you |
| without a law degree? The basic requirements | | | | have a law degree and are already considered |
| are a degree in a technology-related field | | | | an attorney, you will be classified as a |
| and the will to pass the Patent Bar Exam. | | | | Patent Attorney upon passing the exam. As a |
| | | | Patent Attorney with the same level of |
| The field of patent law is wide open to | | | | experience as a Patent Agent, you will |
| Biologists, Chemists, Engineers, Computer | | | | typically earn the higher income because in |
| Scientists, and many other science and | | | | addition to writing and prosecuting patents, |
| technology professionals. And it's true; | | | | you may also help protect patents in a court |
| individuals with the proper science or | | | | of law. |
| engineering degree need only pass the Patent | | | | |
| Bar to become registered Patent Agents. | | | | Second, your degree level will help determine |
| | | | your pay. If you have a Bachelor's degree in |
| Upon becoming a Patent Agent, you may gain | | | | your particular area of expertise, you will |
| employment writing and prosecuting patent | | | | typically make less than someone with a |
| applications at law firms, technology | | | | Master's or a PhD. |
| transfer offices, biotech or engineering | | | | |
| corporations, and government institutes. | | | | Third, your experience level will make a |
| | | | difference. Your previous positions will |
| From there, you may decide whether or not to | | | | count when factoring your salary. The number |
| go on to law school and become a Patent | | | | of years you have worked as an engineer or |
| Attorney. In addition to writing and | | | | scientist will make a difference. The more |
| prosecuting patents, a Patent Attorney can | | | | experience you have, usually the more |
| also litigate in patent infringement cases. | | | | valuable you will be perceived by the |
| | | | company. The longer you have worked in the |
| The Perfect Skill Set | | | | field of patent law, the higher your pay will |
| | | | be as well. |
| Patent law is the perfect field for many | | | | |
| creative and talented individuals since it | | | | Lastly, where you seek employment makes a |
| requires so many qualities to be successful. | | | | difference in your pay. Law firms typically |
| | | | pay the most, whereas a Technology Transfer |
| There is definitely a people-oriented side to | | | | department at a University will usually pay |
| a career in patent law. This is especially | | | | the least. Furthermore, the state and city |
| true when you consider the "isolated lab | | | | you apply for work in will also play a |
| environment" most scientists and engineers | | | | factor. |
| are used to. Contrast this with the fact that | | | | |
| an inventor's hopes and dreams will be riding | | | | Hot Commodity |
| on the invention and that you will be there | | | | |
| every step of the way to help them achieve | | | | Businesses in the science and technology |
| their goals. Obviously, a great deal of | | | | sectors regard patents as their lifeline. |
| interviewing and excellent communication is | | | | Therefore, gaining status as a registered |
| required in order to adequately learn what | | | | Patent Practitioner can open many career |
| was invented and write a patent application. | | | | doors for you. |
| | | | |
| Which brings us to the next point; patent | | | | Since the fields of research and intellectual |
| practitioners must also have excellent | | | | property are so intertwined, imagine the new |
| writing skills. Drafting a quality patent | | | | career opportunities you would be presented |
| application is tedious work that requires the | | | | with if you were trained in both areas. |
| absolute best in written communication. | | | | Furthermore, as a scientist or engineer, most |
| | | | of the qualifications necessary to achieve |
| In addition, a strong background in either | | | | registration as a Patent Practitioner have |
| science or technology is a must. You will | | | | usually already been met. It is likely that |
| have to understand exactly what has been | | | | your only requirement may be to pass the |
| invented in order to write a quality patent | | | | Patent Bar Exam. It is a difficult hurdle, |
| application. | | | | but in comparison to the time and money you |
| | | | already spent to become a scientist or an |
| Lastly, as a Patent Practitioner, you should | | | | engineer, the time and money necessary to |
| possess a thirst for never-ending knowledge. | | | | pass the Patent Bar Exam is reasonable. |
| You will be right on the cutting edge of | | | | |
| research and development. You will constantly | | | | In today's unpredictable job market, |
| be exposed to new and exciting discoveries | | | | expanding your skills makes sense, especially |
| virtually before anyone else! | | | | when this can be accomplished for a |
| | | | relatively low expense and little time. |
| The Dollars and Cents | | | | Compared to getting a degree, setting aside |
| | | | even a full year (although it can be |
| It's the million dollar question. What might | | | | completed in much less time) to learn about |
| you expect to make as a professional in the | | | | the patent prosecution process and take the |
| field of patent law? Well, the pay scale | | | | Patent Bar Exam is very reasonable. |
| varies from $45,000 up to $250,000+ for | | | | Especially when you further consider the fact |
| Patent Practitioners and is determined by | | | | that it will open an entirely new career door |
| many factors (yes I realize that's quite a | | | | for you. Whether you wish for a complete job |
| span). | | | | change or the desire to become more |
| | | | marketable for technology based companies, |
| First, as we've already eluded, if you are a | | | | gaining skills is always a smart move to |
| scientist or engineer without a law degree | | | | make. |