Is Pursuing a Career in Patent Law the Right Move for You?

Is Pursuing a Career in Patent Law the Right Move for You? Copyright © 2005 Lisa Parmley Intellectual Properties Enterprises, Inc http://www.PatentBarStudy.com







Did you know that you might be eligible to gain entry into

the field of patent law even without a law degree? The basic

requirements are a degree in a technology-related field and the

will to pass the Patent Bar Exam.



The field of patent law is wide open to Biologists, Chemists,

Engineers, Computer Scientists, and many other science and

technology professionals. And it's true; individuals with the

proper science or engineering degree need only pass the Patent

Bar to become registered Patent Agents.



Upon becoming a Patent Agent, you may gain employment writing and

prosecuting patent applications at law firms, technology transfer

offices, biotech or engineering corporations, and government

institutes.



>From there, you may decide whether or not to go on to law school

and become a Patent Attorney. In addition to writing and

prosecuting patents, a Patent Attorney can also litigate in

patent infringement cases.





The Perfect Skill Set



Patent law is the perfect field for many creative and talented

individuals since it requires so many qualities to be successful.



There is definitely a people-oriented side to a career in patent

law. This is especially true when you consider the "isolated lab

environment" most scientists and engineers are used to. Contrast

this with the fact that an inventor's hopes and dreams will be

riding on the invention and you will be there every step of the

way to help them achieve their goals. Obviously, a great deal of

interviewing and excellent communication is required in order to

adequately learn what was invented and write a patent

application.



Which brings us to the next point, patent practitioners must

also have excellent writing skills. Drafting a quality patent

application is tedious work that requires the absolute best in

written communication.



In addition, a strong background in either science or technology

is a must. You will have to understand exactly what has been

invented in order to write a quality patent application.



Lastly, as a Patent Practitioner, you should possess a thirst for

never-ending knowledge. You will be right on the cutting edge of

research and development and will always be exposed to new and

exciting discoveries virtually before anyone else!





The Dollars and Cents



It's the million dollar question. What might you expect to

make as a professional in the field of patent law? Well,

the pay scale varies from $45,000 up to $250,000+ for Patent

Practitioners and is determined by many factors (yes I realize

that's quite a span).



First, as we've already eluded, if you are a scientist or

engineer without a law degree you will be classified as a Patent

Agent after you pass the Patent Bar Exam. If you have a law

degree and are already considered an attorney, you will be

classified as a Patent Attorney upon passing the exam. As a

Patent Attorney with the same level of experience as a Patent

Agent, you will typically earn the higher income because in

addition to writing and prosecuting patents, you may also help

protect patents in a court of law.



Second, your degree level will help determine your pay. If you

have a Bachelor's degree in your particular area of expertise,

you will typically make less than someone with a Master's or a

PhD.



Third, your experience level will make a difference. Your

previous positions will count when factoring your salary. The

number of years you have worked as an engineer or scientist

will make a difference. The more experience you have, the more

valuable you will be perceived by the company. The longer you

have worked in the field of patent law, the higher your pay will

be as well.



Lastly, where you seek employment makes a difference in your pay.

Law firms typically pay the most, whereas a Technology Transfer

department at a University will usually pay the least.

Furthermore, the state and city you apply for work in will

also play a factor.





Hot Commodity



Businesses in the science and technology sectors regard patents

as their lifeline. Therefore, gaining status as a registered

Patent Practitioner can open many career doors for you.



Since the fields of research and intellectual property are so

intertwined, imagine the new career opportunities you would be

presented with if you were trained in both areas. Furthermore, as

a scientist or engineer, most of the qualifications necessary to

achieve registration as a Patent Practitioner have usually

already been met. It is likely that your only requirement may be

to pass the Patent Bar Exam. It is a difficult hurdle, but in

comparison to the time and money you already spent to become a

scientist or an engineer, the time and money necessary to pass

the Patent Bar Exam is reasonable.



In today's unpredictable job market, expanding your skills makes

sense, especially when this can be accomplished for a relatively

low expense and little time. Compared to getting a degree,

setting aside even a full year (although it can be completed in

much less time) to learn about the patent prosecution process and

take the Patent Bar Exam is very reasonable. Especially when you

further consider the fact that it will open an entirely new

career door for you. Whether you wish for a complete job change

or the desire to become more marketable for technology based

companies, gaining skills is always a smart move to make.







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Lisa Parmley of Intellectual Properties Enterprises, Inc. Check-out http://www.PatentBarStudy.com to learn more about

the Patent Bar Exam and how you can start your career as a

Patent Practitioner.

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