A patent attorney is responsible for complete patenting procedures and protection of the rights of the patent owner's rights. A patent attorney is required to communicate with clients and inventors, carry out research, give advice, and draft legal documents. He is also responsible for filing documents, registration of license agreement, deeds, and other documents. He is the one who represents the client's case in and out of court and helps resolve intellectual property disputes.
If you decide to become a Patent Agent or a Patent Attorney, you will help inventors gain patents on their inventions. Your clients will range from individuals and small businesses to scientists and large corporations.
A patent attorney tells his client if the invention falls in the category of getting a patent. For this they need to carry out research and once it is ascertained that the invention is patentable, he files the application containing details.
A patent attorney needs technical expertise to draft the patent application. He must be able to first understand the invention himself. The patent application is then sent to the USPTO for examination and approval.
To become a successful patent attorney you need to attain a minimum of 3 years of experience in intellectual property matters and skills that include drafting legal documents such as petitions and agreements.
After completing your law degree, you need to pass the Patent Bar Exam in order to be a registered patent agent before the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). However, if you have your law school degree and meet the requirements to practice law, then you will be a patent attorney.
One must be comfortable with meeting people as they need to meet and discuss the invention with their clients. You must have good communication skills as an ability to build a good relationship with clients. He must also be proficient in drafting legal documents and must be aware about the latest in the field of intellectual property law. He must be able to explain his point to the client and must also be able to understand the clients' problems.
Patent attorneys can get jobs in law firms, academic institutions, biotech companies, engineering companies, and government institutions. The average salary ranges from $45,000 up to $250,000. The salary depends on many factors like whether you are a patent agent or patent attorney, i.e. your qualification. The level of your degree whether it is a Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD is another factor that determines your salary.
Your experience too is a determining factor when it comes to an attorney's salary. The firm where you seek employment also can make a difference.
