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