I have a BScElectricalEng/MScElectricalEng and finishing up an MBA. Im very interested in Patent Law and was curious to know if there are any programs that one may recommend. I have read or heard somewhere that it is easier/quicker to become a Patent Lawyer if one has a technical background/degree. thx -
You need to think about whether this will be US patent law or everyone else's patent law. (Although, according to an article in New Scientist, there are proposals to regularise the US version).
You seem to be educationally qualified to take the Patent Bar exam now. If you pass it and meet the other requirements you will be enrolled to practice before the U.S. Patent Office as a Patent AGENT. Most people seem to take one of the major mis-named Patent Bar Review courses, misnamed because what they REALLY are is a course in patent law and practice. If you wish to become a Patent ATTORNEY, you must qualify for admission to a State Bar. Agents and attorneys do similar things in that they prepare and submit patent applications, which as you know, is a highly complex and technical activity. Attorneys are also able to defend and prosecute patent related law suits in the U.S. District and appellate courts, which agents may not do. Furthermore, only an attorney may represent someone before the trademark and copyright office. Highly skilled technical people sometimes become patent agents to finance their way through law school. Wish I could have done it that way! Look at www.uspto.gov for more info.
The state of Patent Law Before taking the leap, you may want to browse the greedy associates boards on Findlaw. There is a forum dedicated exclusively to IP law. While the discussions there deal largely with big law (i.e., blue chip firms), it’s an interesting place to get a feel for the current market. There are several corporations that are now outsourcing their prosecution work overseas (Dupont being the most recent addition). I don’t know how much of this work is destined to leave or shores, but the trend has shaken even top tier legal pros. The boards are available here: http://www.infirmation.com/bboard/clubs-top.tcl Check the section under Greedy-IP or the general legal area for your region.
