why be an intellectual property lawyer

by Zachery Wunsch 5 min read

An IP lawyer could help you:

  • Obtain patents
  • Secure a copyright
  • Apply and obtain a trademark
  • Draft licensing contracts
  • Prosecute infringers
  • Defense against frivolous or meritless claims against you
  • Draft sale contracts for your IP works
  • Ensure maintenance fees and other applications are timely completed
  • Conduct due diligence in all searches to ensure yours fits the criteria

More items...

Full Answer

Should I become an intellectual property lawyer?

IP lawyers play a variety of critical roles related to the protection of intellectual property. In some capacities they act as advocates representing clients in court proceedings. They also serve as …

Why do we need intellectual property lawyers?

Intellectual Property law - or, IP - is an important legal area, which finds itself growing in importance on a continual basis. There is a constant evolution of creative ideas in a diverse …

What is the annual salary of an intellectual property lawyer?

Jun 20, 2016 · There are several reasons patent attorneys are in such demand: First, one of the reasons that the need for patent attorneys is so strong is that there are very few of them. Over …

How to become an intellectual property attorney?

Intellectual Property Lawyers work closely with businesses, guiding them through the process of acquiring, protecting and using intellectual property such as patents and copyrights. This may …

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Why do I want to be an IP lawyer?

If you'd like to help someone protect their innovations, creative ideas, or inventions, a career in intellectual property law might suit you. It is one of the fastest growing and exciting areas of law to explore. Hundreds of creators make patent applications each day.

What is the main purpose of intellectual property law?

Intellectual Property law deals with laws to protect and enforce rights of the creators and owners of inventions, writing, music, designs and other works, known as the "intellectual property." There are several areas of intellectual property including copyright, trademarks, patents, and trade secrets.

Is IP law a good career?

Careers in patent law offer good -- that is, usually interesting and well remunerated -- job opportunities. Although becoming an attorney requires additional training, long-term career prospects are often much better than, say, those of becoming a faculty member at a research-intensive institution.

What are the benefits of intellectual property laws?

IP protection can allow you to turn your knowledge/idea into a tangible asset capable of assignment, transfer and licensing. Your protected IP can be used as a leverage for attracting investors, as collateral for obtaining finance.

Why should you respect intellectual property?

Building respect for IP means helping create an environment in which IP can fulfill its role to stimulate innovation and creation. It also means fostering an environment in which the system of protection provides equitable benefits for both owners and users of IP.

What are the 7 intellectual property rights?

ADVERTISEMENTS: Important trade related aspects of intellectual property rights (TRIPs) are as follows: (i) Copyright (ii) Trademarks (iii) Geographical Indications (iv) Industrial Designs (v) Patents (vi) Integrated Circuits (vii) Trade Secrets.

Is IP law stressful?

The Journey. This is perhaps the most stress-inducing and challenging part of a career in patent law, but that is true for any job in the field of law. They all require time, energy, and dedication to get there. For one, the profession requires a technical degree and the patent bar must be passed in order to practice.Jun 29, 2021

Is IP law in demand?

Yes, IP lawyers are very much sought-after. In fact, the demand has never been higher, as more and more businesses are dealing with protecting their intangible assets, ideas, and patents. A: Intellectual property law jobs are based on protecting intellectual property, be it a trademark, patent, copyright, or license.

What is the highest paid lawyer?

Highest paid lawyers: salary by practice area
  • Tax attorney (tax law): $122,000.
  • Corporate lawyer: $115,000.
  • Employment lawyer: $87,000.
  • Real Estate attorney: $86,000.
  • Divorce attorney: $84,000.
  • Immigration attorney: $84,000.
  • Estate attorney: $83,000.
  • Public Defender: $63,000.
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Apr 24, 2022

What are the pros and cons of intellectual property?

There are many pros and cons of intellectual property rights to consider. Intellectual property allows you to build and strengthen your brand, but securing IP rights can be expensive.
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Costs associated with protecting your IP rights include:
  • Lawyer fees.
  • Court costs.
  • Filing fees.
  • Settlement fees.
  • Registration fees.

Is creative ideas considered property?

There is a constant evolution of creative ideas in a diverse range of industries, and these are considered property much like estates, or a car. This area of law is responsible for their rights and protection.

What is intellectual property?

Broadly speaking, Intellectual Property law is the legal protection of creative property ownership. However, the term does in fact cover several different areas of creation with commercial value - such as artistic works, patents, industrial processes, and the related forms of protection, whether they’re trademarks, trade secrets, copyright, ...

What are the two words you will undoubtedly be familiar with?

There are many noble pursuits within the field of law, but whether you are soon to embark on a legal career, or already practicing, two words you will undoubtedly be familiar with are: Intellectual Property.

What is the goal of IP?

Ultimately, the goal of IP is to protect these intellectual properties from misuse or theft, and to protect the owners of those rights from financial loss. However this interesting legal field may also involve the buying and selling, ...

Do lawyers need to specialize in one or two areas?

Lawyers will often need to specialise in one or two particular areas in order to handle them effectively; areas such as copyright or trademarking may overlap, whilst patent law often requires greater specialisation.

Do large firms have IP?

Most large firms will have a specific department, where the majority of IP cases can be found. However, if wishing to specialise in Intellectual property concerns, smaller legal firms which focus on IP considerations may allow for greater experience and more room to specialise and progress.

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What is intellectual property?

Intellectual Property is a Term Encompassing Several Different Fields. On a daily basis, attorneys call us and say they want to do intellectual property law. We are always interested in talking to an attorney with experience in intellectual property law because it is, generally speaking, one of hottest practice areas in the United States.

Do attorneys call us about intellectual property?

On a daily basis, attorneys call us and say they want to do intellectual property law . We are always interested in talking to an attorney with experience in intellectual property law because it is, generally speaking, one of hottest practice areas in the United States.

Is intellectual property law hot?

However, "intellectual property law" is a very general term of art. There are many types of intellectual property law - and many areas of intellectual property law are not "hot" at all.

Is there a demand for intellectual property litigators in 2001?

There has continued to be a strong demand for intellectual property litigators in 2001 despite a slowing general economy. Fourth, patents are by far one of the most useful means for protecting intellectual property, and companies are continually investing aggressively in the prosecution of patents.

Why is intellectual property important?

The intellectual property field is among the most important legal fields in the United States because the involvement of intellectual property attorneys has been integral to the expansion of the economy in this country. The most demanded specialty of intellectual property law is patent law. For the most part, patent attorneys are exceedingly ...

What is the most demanded specialty of intellectual property law?

The most demanded specialty of intellectual property law is patent law. For the most part, patent attorneys are exceedingly marketable if they have the right backgrounds. This is due to the fact that there are so few of them and that the work they do has been expanding at a rapid pace.

What is trademark law?

Licensing. Trademark Law. Trademark law protects words, phrases, logos or symbols used to distinguish one product from another. In circumstances where a competitor uses a protected trademark, the holder of the trademark can go to court and obtain an injunction to stop the use.

Why is intellectual property important?

Intellectual property is an organization's most valuable asset. New developments in science and technology have created the need for lawyers with specialized backgrounds in these areas to help protect the intellectual capital of businesses, authors, inventors, musicians, and other owners of creative works.

Why does intellectual property law continue to thrive?

Even recession affects other law practices, intellectual property law typically continues to thrive because people do not stop imagining. They don't stop creating and manufacturing new and better ways to do things, and creators want to protect their rights to those ideas.

What degree do intellectual property lawyers have?

In addition to all that, most intellectual property lawyers possess scientific, engineering, or technology-related degree s as well. This specialized scientific or technical education and hands-on industry experience can help IP lawyers lend their expertise to a wide range of industries, including biotechnology, pharmaceutical law, ...

What is IP law?

Sally Kane. Updated April 21, 2019. Intellectual property (IP) law is a growing practice area that protects creations of the human mind. These creations might include inventions that qualify for patent protection or literary and artistic works such as books, plays, music, and artwork.

What are the types of inventions that qualify for patent protection?

These creations might include inventions that qualify for patent protection or literary and artistic works such as books, plays, music, and artwork. They can also include product names, slogans, logos, and packaging; symbols, names, images, and designs used in commerce; and trade secrets. IP law encompasses six primary areas:

What is the growth of IP?

The growth of the internet has created a surge in IP crimes, particularly hard goods piracy, internet piracy, and cybersquatting—the abusive registration of trademarks on the Internet. Content protection and electronic rights in the digital age are fast-growing IP niches. China and developing countries are enacting sophisticated laws ...

What is the growth of the internet?

The growth of the internet has created a surge in IP crimes, particularly hard goods piracy, internet piracy, and cybersquatting—the abusive registration of trademarks on the Internet. Content protection and electronic rights in the digital age are fast-growing IP niches.

Who is Christopher Sharp?

When a new case comes in “it’s like a big game of chess”, says intellectual property (IP) disputes lawyer Christopher Sharp, a partner at Pinsent Masons. “That’s when we’re really getting under the skin of the case and asking what exactly is the invention we’re trying to protect. We work out our litigation strategy, deciding which countries to litigate in, and in which order. It’s the point where we make most of the interesting tactical decisions.”

Do pinsent Masons have a science background?

While advantageous, a science or IT background is not necessary — a number of members of Pinsent Masons’ IP team (including partners) do not have science backgrounds but have worked on many life science cases. That’s where the experts come in — another highlight for Sharp. He says:

When is Pinsent Masons vacation?

The application deadline for Pinsent Masons' Vacation Placement 2019 (England and Scotland) is on Monday 7 January 2019. ...

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Why IP Law Is Growing

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Intellectual property is an organization's most valuable asset. New developments in science and technology have created the need for lawyers with specialized backgrounds in these areas to help protect the intellectual capital of businesses, authors, inventors, musicians, and other owners of creative works. In today's com…
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Intellectual Property Crimes

  • The growth of the internet has created a surge in IP crimes, particularly hard goods piracy, internet piracy, and cybersquatting—the abusive registration of trademarks on the Internet. Content protection and electronic rights in the digital age are fast-growing IP niches. China and developing countries are enacting sophisticated laws and paying greater attention to IP enforcement, fuelin…
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IP Law: Job Duties

  • Intellectual property lawyers counsel their clients on establishing and protecting intellectual capital. Most IP law practices handle matters such as patents, copyright, trademark law, licensing, franchising, distribution, technology transfers, and trade secret projects. Intellectual property lawyers also assist in licensing inventions, transferring proprietary technology, drafting licensin…
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Education and Background

  • You'll need a law degree and you'll have to pass the bar in your state. In addition to all that, most intellectual property lawyers possess scientific, engineering, or technology-related degrees as well. This specialized scientific or technical education and hands-on industry experience can help IP lawyers lend their expertise to a wide range of industries, including biotechnology, pharmaceu…
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Earnings Potential

  • As of 2017, the median annual salary for an IP attorney is in excess of $159,000 a year. Of course, this can depend on your location of practice—metropolitan area salaries are typically more—and your reputation and track record, which can make you indispensable to firms and clients. Overall, salaries range from about $142,000 to $173,000.
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