Individual inventors and corporations are often represented by patent attorneys, who usually work to secure the legal ownership of intellectual property. In general, this field is divided into patent litigators and prosecutors. The true nature of a patent attorney’s responsibilities, however, often depends upon his or her workplace. Employers who offer patent attorney jobs may include public corporations, engineering firms, biotech companies and law practices. Attorneys may choose to strengthen their qualifications by first serving as patent agents before seeking executive-level law positions.
Patent attorney jobs may be divided into two categories: patent litigators and prosecutors. Litigators often handle disputes concerning patent rights. Prosecutors, on the other hand, usually establish patents. Both positions may counsel clients, but litigators are likely to enforce patent rights, while prosecutors often develop invention details and patent applications. In many instances, these responsibilities are combined into one position.
A variety of companies regularly offer patent attorney jobs. Examples may include biotech companies, engineering firms, public corporations and law practices. In addition to responsibilities, candidate qualifications are likely to differ with each position as well. Some employers may want patent attorneys to hold advanced degrees in electrical engineering, computer science, physics or biology. This is often because the work at-hand relates to those individual areas of study.
The patent attorney job description for a public corporation may include filing patents as well as trademark and copyright registrations. Such a position may also collaborate with local or national government offices to manage the company’s intellectual property. In a corporation, the patent attorney may work independently or with a team of legal staff members. Knowledge of the company’s specialization, such as stock exchanges or wireless equipment, is a likely prerequisite.
In engineering firms, patent attorneys may be involved with a multitude of projects. Some job responsibilities may include drafting technology agreements or contracts, providing product clearance for patent application and executing company-specific strategies regarding intellectual property. The preparation and prosecution of patent applications is often likely as well. In this sense, the patent attorney often needs a thorough knowledge of both engineering and intellectual law.
Biotechnology is another field in which patent attorneys may find work. This area of science often combines applied biology with such areas as medicine and engineering. Biotech patent attorney jobs may thus be available with molecular medicine, life science research and pharmaceutical development companies. In some instances, a PhD in biology or chemistry may be required in addition to a Juris Doctor (JD). Job responsibilities may be extensive, with such tasks as researching new science developments, advising on patentability options and evaluating patent infringement studies.
Unlike corporations, patent attorney jobs with law practices may require candidates to hold only a JD. People in these positions often work with individual inventors who need help in filing the proper patent paperwork. The patent attorney may thus determine the potential for receiving patents and prepare applications. Law practices may also litigate pending applications and monitor possible violations of an existing patent. When violations or infringements do occur, law practices may prosecute as needed.
It may be difficult to find entry-level patent attorney jobs early in one’s career. This is often because corporations and law practices prefer people with prior experience. To acquire the desired qualifications, attorneys may choose to first work as patent agents. These roles are usually similar to each other, although their capabilities may be different. Patent agents often work on the preparation, research and filing of patent applications, but attorneys are often the ones required to litigate court proceedings and represent clients.
