USPTO’s Post

I speak at universities about the path to technical specialist/patent agent at law firms for graduate students. Recently, one of the professors I spoke with invited me to participate in a virtual chat with a group of students from the University of North Carolina. Two key takeaways from this meeting: 1 - Most graduate students aren’t aware of career paths in law firms. Universities advise on the traditional post-graduate paths that students can take, but have only started to guide their students on these options.  2 - Many students were intrigued by the opportunities to use their knowledge and skills outside of academia. Many see how to apply their research skills in a fast-paced environment working with a range of cutting-edge technologies. How did you learn about and become interested in your role as a technical specialist or patent agent?

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I’m hearing from more and more PhDs that they are disillusioned with research and academia.  It is not feeding their souls as it once did.  The pressure to publish, secure funding, and achieve academic milestones is leading to a focus on quantity rather than the intrinsic value and enjoyment of research  But now they are conflicted as to where to go from there.  If they leave academia, it’s hard to get back in.  But if they stay, they are losing passion by the minute for what they once loved. There are several reasons for the diminishing passion: the “publish or perish” fear can overshadow the joy of the research and discovery, the competition and scarcity of tenure-track roles, a feeling of isolation due to not having a mentor, or having to relocate geographically.  But the foremost reason being a shift in interests or values. But many PhDs are moving into roles out of academia and into the private sector. The ever changing world of technology has opened up a broader horizon for PhDs more than ever before.  One area that I’m finding many PhD programs don’t know is an option is the patent role within the legal field.  You become the bridge between science and the law.  As the technical expert, your role is to evaluate and protect the intellectual property, translate complex concepts into suitable, understandable, language, and be able to work across several industries with exposure to new and upcoming technologies. It isn’t easy for PhDs to leave academia. For most, it’s the only environment they’ve ever known, and it’s hard to unlearn the values taught in academia.   Many have dedicated years to their research.  Exploring alternative career paths or combining academia with other pursuits, such as industry collaborations or consulting, may provide a more balanced and fulfilling career experience. How can PhDs juggle their love for research while taking a leap into uncharted territory? How do they turn their smarts into a cool new career and actually enjoy it? Have you explored novel career avenues and come out on the other side?  I’d love to hear about it!

As a university student, one of the concerns you might have is whether you should share all the specifics of your final year project with your instructor. Especially, if you plan to patent your idea. Can the professor copy the idea and patent it before you do? Does the right of my final year project belong to the university? Here are some of my ideas in this regard: 𝟭. 𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆’𝘀 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁𝘆 𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝘆: Many universities have clear policies regarding the ownership of student projects and ideas. These policies often stipulate that students retain the rights to their intellectual property unless the project was funded by the university or involved significant use of university resources. 𝟮. 𝗦𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗟𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗘𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘆: If you are serious about patenting your idea, consider seeking legal advice from a patent attorney early in the process. They can help you understand your rights and the best steps to take to protect your idea. Your university can help you connect with an attorney. 𝟯. 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗿: Instead of hiding your idea, discuss your intention to patent your project with your professor. Professors are typically bound by professional and ethical standards and are often willing to support students in protecting their intellectual property. Without their support, it might be close to impossible to give a final shape to your idea. 𝟰. 𝗗𝗼𝗰𝘂𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴: Keep thorough records of your work, including dated notes, drafts, and communications. This documentation can be crucial if there are ever disputes over the origin and development of your idea. Remember, educational institutions are here to support you in your Final Year Project ideas. They can provide you with loads of resources, including access to mentors, legal advice, and funding opportunities that will help you in patenting your ideas. So make full use of it. As a student, have you ever feared that your university might copy your idea? How did you overcome the fear? Please share your experience in the comments below.

We Are Hiring! PURDYLUCEY is currently recruiting smart, proactive science or engineering graduates to train as European Patent Attorneys. 🤔 We asked trainee Patent Attorney, Mark McGrath, for his advice to young professionals pursuing a career in IP: 💡 "First, embrace a curiosity about how things work." The more you ask "how" and "why" seemingly simple things work, the quicker you'll be able to focus on the important and unique aspects of an IP asset. The challenge is avoiding your own mini-Cartesian crisis along the way! 💡 "Secondly, attention to detail is your best friend." Start honing that skill early. The ability to spot, understand, and communicate tiny, crucial differences will set you apart. Writing skills are key here—crafting arguments, describing inventions, and persuading others is a big part of IP law. To practice, try writing simple descriptions of everyday items, step away, and then come back later to critique youn work. This exercise will sharpen your ability to communicate complex ideas clearly and accurately. If you're curious, detail-oriented, and ready to embark on a career in Intellectual Property, apply now: https://lnkd.in/eDU4hZ7f Applications close September 23rd, 2024 – don't miss out on this opportunity! #PatentAttorney #IPCareers #GraduateJobs #ScienceAndEngineering #IntellectualProperty

Attending an Intellectual Property course can fuel excitement for future inventions personally and offer promising career opportunities in IP related fields.

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📢 Attention to all seekers of patent learning opportunities! Are you interested in mastering patent reading skills to enhance your research work? Here's your chance! Join us for a beginner-friendly session on 'How to Read a Patent' 📚 📆 Friday, June 14, 2024, from 10:00 to 18:00 📍 X03, 10th Floor, KX Building. 🎓 Speaker: Eliza Stefaniw, RTTP, Advisor for Innovation Ecosystem Development. 💰 Registration Fee: Only 1,500 THB (Discounted from 5,000 THB) What will you get 💡 ✅ Able to distinguish between patent and patent application. ✅ Able to identify expired and abandoned patents. ✅ Able to find information in patent documents relevant to research goals. ✅ Able to read claims to identify technology that is patent protected. 👉 This course is ideal for researchers, professors, students, lawyers, and anyone interested in innovation management or delving deep into patent reading. For inquiries, contact K.Eliza at 080-802-4904. For more information about payment: contact@kxinnovation.com #PatentReading #InnovationManagement #LegalEducation #ResearchSkills

You will always face criticism and will always have challenges but don't let those things drag you down. Use them to be more determined and stronger as a person. #llbstudent #lawstudent #lawdegree #openuniversity #independentlearning

First Year of Law School as an Engineer How to Get In If you're an engineer with a GPA (3.5), don't worry—you can still get into a good law school with a strong LSAT score. Engineering programs are known for their difficulty, and many law schools take that into account. My LSAT score was 158, which I achieved with limited preparation and under challenging conditions (extremely noisy environment). While it wasn't perfect, it highlighted my potential when combined with my engineering background. Why I Rejected US Schools I had my heart set on Stanford, but my GPA and LSAT score fell short. US schools consider all Canadian schools, to be treated equally, which didn’t help my case since Waterloo is infamous for a low class average system and I was in an engineer program. I could have taken a year off to aim for a 170 LSAT score, but that meant delaying my career. I got accepted into the University of San Francisco (USF) and Southern California, both considered lower-tier in the US.  USF, located in Silicon Valley, offered great exposure to the IP field, but high tuition and complex licensing for internationals made it less appealing. So, I chose the University of Windsor, close to the US border, offering unique advantages such as networking with Michigan law firms. About Law School Coming from an engineering background, law school felt less demanding. There was minimal workload, and good note-taking meant less reading. The toughest part was the grading curve, which adjusted students to a B level to maintain competitiveness. Exams were hard because they were subjective, unlike the problem-solving nature of engineering. Multiple-choice questions were particularly tricky, reflecting the non-deterministic nature of law. Despite the challenges, UWindsor had fantastic professors who took time to ensure we fully understood the material. Key Takeaway The University of Windsor offers an incredible community and a relaxed town atmosphere, allowing more personal time with professors and peers. The school emphasizes personal improvement over competition. If you're in engineering, start LSAT prep early and aim for a high score. Look for summer positions in IP law or as a patent assistant. I couldn't due to other commitments, but if you can, future internships will be easier to secure. Remember, in life’s race, you're only competing against yourself—so enjoy the journey! #law #engineering #IPLaw #patents #admission #LSAT #windsor #windsoruniversity