Patent Bar Category B Forum

[rrigor22]

I am a 2L, and I recently discovered that I qualify to take the patent bar under category B. I have a degree in Political Science, but I took over a year's worth of Electrical Engineering courses in undergrad. Are category B patent attorney's employable? Does anyone have experience or know of someone that took this route?

[NavyOfficer23]

How you qualify for the patent bar doesn't matter. Once you pass the exam, you're in. Employers won't care as much after the fact. However, your UG degree and work experience will still be relevant for employment.

A number of patent attorneys have told me that they look for technical degrees in prospective employees because then they can be assured that they'll qualify for the exam under category A. If you don't, then they're not sure and see you as a risk because they don't want to hire you only to discover that you don't qualify for it. But if you've already passed, you have a leg up on everyone else.

Hope that helps.

[rinkrat19]

Some IP firms (or bigger firms with IP departments) only hire certain majors (usually like EE/CS or PhDs in phys/chem). Some will hire more majors but still require an engineering or science degree. You'd likely be out of luck at those firms.

[AC Vegas]

Some IP firms (or bigger firms with IP departments) only hire certain majors (usually like EE/CS or PhDs in phys/chem). Some will hire more majors but still require an engineering or science degree. You'd likely be out of luck at those firms.

This sounds like rampant speculation.

OP, I'd say your probably ipsecure if you pass the patent bar and just tell everyone your real passion is to prosecute software patents. /more rampant speculation

[laxbrah420]

Some IP firms (or bigger firms with IP departments) only hire certain majors (usually like EE/CS or PhDs in phys/chem). Some will hire more majors but still require an engineering or science degree. You'd likely be out of luck at those firms.

This sounds like rampant speculation.

OP, I'd say your probably ipsecure if you pass the patent bar and just tell everyone your real passion is to prosecute software patents. /more rampant speculation

Employers list what they want on Symplicity. Some list a shitload, some say, "EE only," some say, "Chem, EE, MechE"
Expressio unius est exclusio alterius, bro.

[AC Vegas]

Some IP firms (or bigger firms with IP departments) only hire certain majors (usually like EE/CS or PhDs in phys/chem). Some will hire more majors but still require an engineering or science degree. You'd likely be out of luck at those firms.

This sounds like rampant speculation.

OP, I'd say your probably ipsecure if you pass the patent bar and just tell everyone your real passion is to prosecute software patents. /more rampant speculation

Employers list what they want on Symplicity. Some list a shitload, some say, "EE only," some say, "Chem, EE, MechE"
Expressio unius est exclusio alterius, bro.

Yea I get that but EE is so in demand i think this person could get around that. Would depend on other credentials.