A patent is an asset: Patent Attorney

What do you expect would happen in the field of patenting in the next few years?
As per industry projections, we would need around 15,000 patent professionals in India in the next five years for both litigation and back-office work in patents.

Though every science graduate is eligible to write the patent agent’s exam, the industry favours engineering graduates. Is this true?
Well, the industry does prefer professionals who have studied engineering. Considering the technicalities involved in the job, an engineer fits the bill. But even a science graduate can become a patent attorney after undergoing a technical programme.

Is it mandatory to qualify a patent agent’s exam to become a patenting professional?
Primarily, there are two kinds of job roles. The first one is prosecution, which entails meeting the examiner (official) in the patent office and getting the patent approved. To be able to deal with patent officials, one must have cleared the agent’s exam. The other job envisages drafting and patent search which doesn’t require any license or permission.

Are most of the patent jobs available only in legal process outsourcing?
There are jobs in outsourcing, the corporate sector and law firms. With the demand for patent attorneys soaring, there is increasing need to bring patent training in the fold of college education. When this happens, there would be a sudden spurt in the demand for trainers too.  

Besides technical and legal knowledge, what else is included in the training programmes for patent attorneys?
It is necessary to learn the business aspects too (before venturing out). A patent is an asset for any company and in case the company owns multiple patents, there arises a need for portfolio management.