How to be a Patent Attorney in US in 2021
With think tanks and the likes that are out there right now, it is clear for everyone to see the importance of coming up with new ideas and of inventing in the current world we live in. Everyone is looking for that one breakthrough as far as inventions go that will blow up and bring in the rewards that these inventions have the potential of bringing. With this in mind these ideas and inventions are very valuable to the inventors and as such need to be protected. That is where patent attorneys come in as they not only aid in filing patents, they also have the qualifications to help in any litigation processes that may arise. How can one become a patent attorney in the US in 2021 you ask? Well, this article will look to answer that question in detail.
The first thing that we are going to look at are some of the general requirements that are to be met for one to be a patent attorney in the US in 2021. The first thing is that one has to either be a US citizen or to be residing legally in the US. Documents that prove this are needed in order for one to register with the United States Patent and Trademark Office or USPTO in short, which is where one needs to register if they are to become a practicing patent attorney as per tyguo.com. Another thing that is required is an undergraduate degree in a scientific field. This is to ensure that one has the requisite technical and scientific training to register with the USPTO on their way to becoming a patent attorney. You will be required to produce a transcript or any other document of proof to show that you indeed have a bachelor’s degree either from a local or foreign university. For those that don’t have the undergraduate degree required, then you can complete a scientific coursework equivalent to said undergraduate degree in a given scientific field. Passing the Fundamentals of Engineering test is another qualification you can substitute for an undergraduate degree. Another very important thing is one needs to meet the good moral character requirements that are put in place in order for one to be a patent attorney in the US in 2021. Those that have been convicted of a felony, disbarred from practicing law among other things will immediately be ineligible.
Off we go to the law part of one becoming a patent attorney in the US in 2021. First off you will be required to have graduated from law school as one needs to be an attorney in order to register with the USPTO. This means you have to have a license from the bar association in your jurisdiction. Having passed the bar exam and becoming an attorney will come in handy when working on issues around intellectual property, trademark laws among others. Remember, the difference between a patent agent and a patent attorney is that the later is a practicing attorney and as such passing the bar is crucial here. With the exception of the state of Wisconsin, all other states require one to pass the state Bar exam in order for one to become a patent attorney making passing this exam key. Different states have different criteria as fa as their Bar exam go so ensure you visit the website for the Bar exam of your state and learn more about it before enlisting to sit for it.
The next step involves sitting for and passing the patent Bar. To begin with here, you will be required to register with the USPTO. Ensure you apply for, download and fill the requisite forms and thereafter mail the form to the address provided accompanied with your undergraduate transcripts or its substitutes as discussed above, evidence of US citizenship, a cashier’s cheque as proof of payment of the requisite fees and charges among other forms and documents, details of which are discussed in great detail by the experts over at tyguo.com. Once this is done, you should wait for correspondence from USPTO which will include an admission letter as well as additional instructions on the examination process. This will also include your very own USPTO identification number. Once you have this number, the next step is finding the date for the next USPTO exam and registering for it. You can find out more on this from the date, to the fees that need to be paid on their website. You are required to take your exam within 90 days of receiving your admission letter. Results are released soon after and will then be mailed to you after which you will be able to find out if you have passed or not. If you have passed, instructions on how you will proceed and complete the registration process will be sent to you with your results. Once you complete this final process, you will be a certified patent attorney free to practice in the US in 2021.
The above is the route one should take if they want to be a patent attorney in the US in 2021 with more on this and other topics to be found on tyguo.com.