r/patentlaw

Thinking about lateraling. Are they below market on pay? If so, by how much?

Is base comp on the Cravath scale, with the difference mainly in the bonus?

It’s been tough to find info on this. Any insight is appreciated, and feel free to DM me if you don't want to leave a comment.

I had an examiner interview where the examiner basically said “you didn’t have X in the working examples…therefore your claim is like a CIP because you never claimed X before.” None of this was based on actual fact so we were like huh?! So my question is…what are your favorite 112 arguments that work well with an Examiner that is stuck on one example of your spec showing an opposite thing from what you are claiming but you still have support for the claimed embodiment?!

AI Engineering

Hybrid Battery Technology

Highspeed Computing

Cyber Security Engineer

Also, what other fields/experience would you say are in demand by employers?

Also, assuming the candidate has already obtained a BS in Electrical Engineering/Computer science

I am using PLi to study and am currently watching the video lectures before doing the post course. I have not read the actual MPEP other than looking up occasionally for questions. I am focusing on taking really good notes and memorizing the rules in the study guide/lectures. I also plan on skimming the most important chapters table of contents so I know what is in them, and look up on test day from there. Is this alright to do? I feel like I am getting a lot of questions right during the course without any lookup (I know these are easier than actual exam questions)

I passed USPTO registration exam recently but I do not have prior experience in patent field. I have been working in life science research since I completed PhD. How can I improve my chances of getting hired as patent agent?

Starting as a technical specialist at a BigLaw IP firm in a few weeks. My entire prior career has been in academia.

Would love to get advice on the biggest struggles individuals like me face, both from the perspective of IP practitioners that went the academic path and those that did not.

What should I know going in?​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Specific areas I’m curious about: managing billable, deadline-driven work; how to build credibility with attorneys early on; what technical specialists wish they’d known about how firms actually operate; and how the academic-to-law-firm culture gap tends to manifest in practice.

What are some faux pas of which I should be aware?

Hello! Long time browser and first time poster here. I wanted to ask for some advice on a semi-common question that hopefully can be more specific towards my path.

I am a 2nd year undergraduate who has had my eyes on Patent Prosecution for years now. I'm working towards degrees in Chemical and Electrical Engineering at my current university, although when I graduate I will actually have four (Chemistry, Physics, Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering) due to the specific way my program works.

My specific target is patent prosecution for biocomputational devices and similar technologies. It's a pretty niche subject that I haven't seen discussed too much here, and i'm hoping that someone in the field might be able to pop in here.

I generally know what my path should be (i.e take the patent bar after graduation, aim for a T14 law school with a strong IP program, try to get summer associate experience at a firm, get into technical specialist role as a pipeline into prosecution work).

I want to know if it's even *possible* to orient myself in a way that I can specialize in biocomputational systems, The pool of people who understand both biological systems and computational hardware and want to do IP law has to be tiny, which seems like an advantage. But I also get that the client side of biocomputational prosecution is still pretty new. I'm unsure if there are even any firms that would specialize in these types of cases, much less hire for it.

Building on that, If I can specialize in this, would it be worth it to get a Masters/PhD? I know a PhD is generally a requirement for straight life-sciences prosecution, but I am unsure if this would be considered more like EE, where a bachelors is generally good enough.

Appreciate anyone who can share their thoughts on this.

* Edit: Clarification, my interest is in Biocomputers and Bioprocessors (i.e using biological components to preform computational tasks) which I refer to under the umbrella term Biocomputational Devices.

My husband is currently a patent examiner at the USPTO. However, we are looking to move abroad. (Canada would be ideal) He has 15 years experience and an MS in Biomedical Engineering. He has been traditionally applying to patent agent jobs for months but we have had very few bites. Any ideas on where else to look?

United States Patent 9356620B2 was filed on 11 September 2002, but has a priority date of 31 May 2016, almost 14 years later! Is there a limit to how long a priority date for a patent can be after the filing date? If there is no limit or the limit is particularly long, I expect that would be ripe for abuse.

Hi,

I am researching transitioning into this field and focusing on patent law in power systems technology. I’m an electrical engineer (bachelors and masters degree) with a professional licenses and 10+ years experience in the industry. I’ve worked at a utility, consultant, and tech developer in this industry.

I see potential in transitioning into law, either patent focused, or legislation for utility representation and am curious what the realistic salaries are in this field. If patent focused, then I want to specialize in international patent law.

I have broken 200k in my field but do not see much more room for growth and expect my earnings to peak around 250k unless I were to open my own firm.

As an aside, the field is genuinely interesting to me and I have no issues with technical writing and research. I see it as a way to continue to improve communication skills and climb the corporate ladder.

Hi fellow colleagues from across the pond. My wife, a German medical doctor, got a job at Harvard for a year starting November this year. I currently plan on joining her with a J2 visa.
I am a physicist (B. Sc, M.Sc.) and "senior" patent attorney and primarily work in semiconductors, power electronics, medical physics, optics and software. I'm also fully bilingual, since I grew up in the US up to the end of high school (but without citizenship/greencard, long story).
Can anyone help me out with some tips and suggestions how I can tackle this transition? I may be able to do some visiting research while waiting for an EAD if visa sponsorship by a firm is impossible (presumably is). Afterwards, I would gladly work for a firm or in-house in Boston for the remaining year, maybe even try becoming a patent agent.

Are you a student considering patent law? Are you an engineer or scientist thinking about a career change? Ask in this thread!

Also, check out the wiki, which includes answers to many common student questions, like what majors are required for the patent bar, what the day-to-day practice of patent law is like, etc.

So I recently completed a car product in the car safety niche. My original goal was to license it to car brands and earn royalties from it. But now one car brand really likes it and is offering to buy the full rights to the product for $2 million. I have never seen that kind of money in my life, so I’m really tempted to take it. At the same time, I’m not sure if it would be a bad move because I feel like I could potentially make more long-term through royalties. The product itself is pretty complex to manufacture, and I already have a patent for it. I also didn’t invest that much into developing it, it cost me about $5,000 to turn it into a proper manufacturable product.

I’m kind of stuck on what to do here. Any advice would help.

PLEASE, AFTER 10+ YRS OF NOT KNOWING WHAT CAREER PATH, I FINALLY FOUND ONE, is it something where you need to stand out by having impresive resume or js get good gpa in college/s + pass the exam.

what did you do while in highschool/undergrad/masters to secure a postion - intern,awards, job?

Are you required to send certified copies of foreign applications to the USPTO by mail (or hand carry)? MPEP 502 makes it sounds like electronic transmission is not permitted

Also, when do you send the certified copies? Should I wait until an Office Action is received given the “no particular time” required portion of MPEP 502? Or can I submit it before then?

I'm a US patent examiner, with EU citizenship, speak/understand French decently (however am not fluent). Over 10 years experience at the PTO, however no experience as a patent agent.

Exploring potential ways of moving to France, and finding patent-related employment (primarily as a US patent agent working for corporations that have French offices, or anything related). I am aware of EPO patent examiner positions, however I have no interest in working as an EPO patent examiner.

Has anyone done something similar ?

Any info you could provide would be greatly appreciated: which companies to target, which recruiters to talk to, etc.

Feel free to message me privately if you prefer.

Hi, all -

Current USPTO Patent Examiner here approaching 2 years experience. I'm lucky enough to still be working remotely. Recently, I was contacted by an acquaintance from a "Big Law" firm here in the Southeast, and they asked me if I had any interest switching to the other side to write patents in private practice.

With the continued changes and growing uncertainty occurring at the USPTO, I proceeded with the interview. The position would be as a Tech Specialist, drafting and submitting applications assigned to me by the partner Attorneys. I would not have a formal billable hour requirement, but rather be fed work having the standard "need this done by X day". My background is a B.S. in Engineering with 10+ years industry experience in semiconductors, and the aforementioned ~2 years as a Patent Examiner.

I was given an offer that is roughly in line with what will be my salary once I take my GS-12 promotion within the next year as an Examiner, and the position would still be remote. Not sure if this is enough for me to make the jump from my current somewhat "known" career path/salary, hence why I would appreciate any perspectives. As well, I am more hesitant to attempt it since if I chose to later reapply to the Office, I would lose my ability to work remotely (at least for the foreseeable future).

For those who have made the jump from being an Examiner to a similar role, what have been the pros/cons? I realize my earning potential at the law firm is heavily dependent upon whether or not I become a Patent Agent or, even further, a Patent Attorney. I also realize considerations of work/life balance are hard to answer due to the specific way each firm operates. I would appreciate any advice/perspectives/thoughts. Thank you!