The Job Of Lawyers In Patent Firms

By Jocelyn Davidson


Patent is a protection provided by the government to an inventor to prevent an invention from malicious copying. In Corvallis, OR and other American states, patents normally last for a period of twenty years. Patent firms employ patent attorneys previously called agents to secure the patents and other intellectual rights. Besides understanding about patents and the laws that apply to them, one must also have an understanding of intellectual property law.

This field has lawyers who work for companies or personal enterprises. The nature of employment determines the nature of cases the practitioner handles. Typically, the job involves meeting clients and discussing details of an invention. The agent then advises the client on the possibility of patents being granted or being denied. This involves traveling for short or long distances from the work place.

During the meeting, the attorney must assess the details of the invention and do research about previous patents filed in the same field. This helps to determine whether the invention is new or is a duplicate of already done work. After determining that the invention is an original work, the attorney makes a patent draft. The draft describes the invention in a precise manner using legal terms.

After confirming that drafts contain all the necessary details and terms of an invention, patents are applied for by the practitioner. Government examiners read through all applications and pose questions to attorneys who filed the applications about the invented work. Attorneys must therefore prepare adequately in advance on how to respond to the questions. Patents are issued for all applications that go through. The agent must go further to ensure that the patents are renewed on a yearly basis on time. Agents also counsel clients about infringements and also represent them in courts of law against the offenders.

Lawyers in this field work for the same of hours as the others in different fields. Work is done for five days in a week, from Monday to Friday except when deadlines have to be met. Urgent matters may sometimes require practitioners to cut short their holidays to attend to them. Most work happens in the office but local and international trips are also part of the job.

Entry into this field requires one to have tertiary qualification in any engineering or scientific discipline. After acquiring the qualifications, candidates are required to take and pass an accredited course of study which satisfies the requirements for registration. Most of the skills needed for the job are acquired while one continues with the practice. Most people begin as technical assistants in a firm or in a department in a company. Taking a postgraduate course in intellectual property law makes one more attractive to employers.

To work successfully in this field, one needs to possess certain professional and personal skills, interests, and qualities. First, one must have a technical or scientific background and a good understanding of intellectual property law. Excellent spoken and written communication is necessary to allow one to express themselves well to clients and authorities. Accuracy and ability to work for long hours under pressure assist in meeting deadlines.

Being fluent in several foreign languages is advantageous. This is because international cases may involve foreign agencies and authorities. Practitioners are advised to be members of an association in the field.




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