Description
The role of a patent attorney is twofold. They prosecute patent applications before the patent office and help their clients (inventors or proprietors of inventions) to protect their invention by obtaining patent. Once patent is granted, their advising on licensing of patents forms a crucial part of their portfolio. They also assist in suing for patent infringements at the courts of law and advise clients regarding feasibility of their invention. A patent attorney must have a science background because if it is a pharmaceutical or biotech invention, then they have to understand what it is about. Ideally, a patent attorney is a legal professional who has to have expertise in at least one scientific field, be it biotechnology, pharmaceuticals or electronics, among others
Requirements
As per the Indian Patent Law, there is no designation of ‘patent attorney’. One needs to register at Indian Patent Office (IPO) first, then he is called a patent agent. IPO conducts a qualifying exam for patent agent registration yearly. A degree in science is mandatory to appear for this exam. To be a patent litigator, a science degree is not compulsory but to be able to practice, one needs to have an LLB degree and be registered at the Bar Council of India
Job Prospects
Sky is the limit for this profession. The salary of a patent attorney depends on one’s technical and legal skills
Pros & Cons
High job satisfaction if your interest lies in both law and science. The job is quite demanding, and may eat into your ‘me’ time.
