Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[shadowfrost000]

Hi,

I've heard from people that because CS does not often involve a directly patentable medium, there is very little use for CS majors in patent prosecution and job opportunities in this area are slim. How true it this? Would it still be worth it for me with a BSCS to take the patent bar, this economy notwithstanding?

Assuming I acquire a law degree, is CS marketable at all in copyrights, patent litigation, or other IP law?

Thanks.

[bleedingpen]

Hi,

I've heard from people that because CS does not often involve a directly patentable medium, there is very little use for CS majors in patent prosecution and job opportunities in this area are slim. How true it this? Would it still be worth it for me with a BSCS to take the patent bar, this economy notwithstanding?

Assuming I acquire a law degree, is CS marketable at all in copyrights, patent litigation, or other IP law?

Thanks.

You are misinformed.  CS is a perfectly acceptable degree.  If you want a hierarchy of degrees for patent bar eligible attorneys, here you go:

Highest Tier
PhD in Life Science
EE on any level

Upper Middle Tier
Computer Engineering
CS
Physics

Lower Middle Tier
ME or any variation of ME

Lowest Tier
Life Sciences without advanced degree
Civil Engineering
Textile Science or similar discipline


**** My opinion only based on limited amounts of exposure in HR and to the job market. 

[dablueman]

I've heard from people that because CS does not often involve a directly patentable medium, there is very little use for CS majors in patent prosecution and job opportunities in this area are slim. How true it this? Would it still be worth it for me with a BSCS to take the patent bar, this economy notwithstanding?

Just make sure that your CS degree is accredited by the "right" accreditation agency according the the Bulletin, or make sure you take the for-majors physics or chemistry courses, so that you can actually sit for the patent bar.

[shadowfrost000]

Thanks.

I've been getting mixed messages about how viable a CS background is in patent prosecution, so I thought I'd ask here for the best answers. My UG institution is not accredited by ABET for trivial reasons (school just doesn't care to spend the effort and money), despite being much better than most of the schools that are (so I assume that's why you quoted the "right"). However, I do have 8 credit hours in physics, and I believe my core curriculum in computer science more than qualifies for the 32 credit hours in applicable comp sci/engineering courses for option C(?) of the prerequisites to sit for the patent bar.

I have yet to get my eligibility cleared because I believe you only have a limited window to take the test after you register. I was planning on calling the USPTO branch that handles the test administration (forgot the name), but I find it hard to believe they could tell me whether I was eligible over the phone. Anyone know a direct way to just get eligibility cleared?

[TrainingDaze]

You are misinformed.  CS is a perfectly acceptable degree.  If you want a hierarchy of degrees for patent bar eligible attorneys, here you go:

Highest Tier
PhD in Life Science
EE on any level

Upper Middle Tier
Computer Engineering
CS
Physics

Lower Middle Tier
ME or any variation of ME

Lowest Tier
Life Sciences without advanced degree
Civil Engineering
Textile Science or similar discipline


**** My opinion only based on limited amounts of exposure in HR and to the job market. 

This is very interesting to me as I'm an IT undergrad considering getting an MS in EE. I was under the impression that to be an attractive candidate to patent law firms, one must obtain an UG degree in EE (not just an MS)? Would patent law firms consider someone like myself (IT UG and MS in EE)??

Thanks again for a really informative post! 

[gabbo]

This is very interesting to me as I'm an IT undergrad considering getting an MS in EE. I was under the impression that to be an attractive candidate to patent law firms, one must obtain an UG degree in EE (not just an MS)? Would patent law firms consider someone like myself (IT UG and MS in EE)??

Thanks again for a really informative post! 

Out of curiosity where did you hear this from?  I'm the same position as you, I have a BS in computer science and I'm working on a MS in EE.

[TrainingDaze]

This is very interesting to me as I'm an IT undergrad considering getting an MS in EE. I was under the impression that to be an attractive candidate to patent law firms, one must obtain an UG degree in EE (not just an MS)? Would patent law firms consider someone like myself (IT UG and MS in EE)??

Thanks again for a really informative post! 

Out of curiosity where did you hear this from?  I'm the same position as you, I have a BS in computer science and I'm working on a MS.

Hi Gabbo,

I've been browsing through the threads on this forum for quite some time and a majority of the advice given here focuses on the applicant possessing a hard science undergrad degree. I'm not sure if firms place a large distinction between UG and MS, but just from reading advice on here that seems to be the consensus.

Also, as per the USPTO requirements, "CATEGORY A: Bachelor's Degree in a Recognized Technical Subject...."

and

"ii.Graduate Degrees: An applicant who has a Master's or higher level degree in one of the subject areas listed above, but does not have a Bachelor's degree in such subject, must established to the satisfaction of the OED Director that he or she possesses the necessary scientific and technical training. Possession of the necessary scientific and technical training may be satisfactorily established in the manner set forth under either Category B or Category C below."


So this is why I was very interested in the advice of those who actually know what the law firms care about when hiring applicants. From what I've learned on here, ultimately it boils down to whether or not the newly minted attorney can speak the language of engineers and fully grasp the concepts (which is why striving to satisfy the Category B or Category C USPTO requirements appears to be a fruitless endeavor). But if someone out there can shed light on how patent firms view applicants in our position (CS undergrad and MS EE) it would really help shed light on future career options.

[MYK]

I was planning on calling the USPTO branch that handles the test administration (forgot the name), but I find it hard to believe they could tell me whether I was eligible over the phone. Anyone know a direct way to just get eligibility cleared?

AFAIK, they will only tell you in a way that is binding if you submit a complete application.  However, you can call and ask.  You'll want to get past the front-line people who are trained to be totally noncommittal in their answers, and it may take a few tries to do so.  Asking to speak to someone who specifically handles "category B" evaluations might do the trick.

BTW, I've sent you an IM with a question of my own. 

[Confused Engineer]

This is very interesting to me as I'm an IT undergrad considering getting an MS in EE. I was under the impression that to be an attractive candidate to patent law firms, one must obtain an UG degree in EE (not just an MS)? Would patent law firms consider someone like myself (IT UG and MS in EE)??

Thanks again for a really informative post! 

Out of curiosity where did you hear this from?  I'm the same position as you, I have a BS in computer science and I'm working on a MS.

Hi Gabbo,

I've been browsing through the threads on this forum for quite some time and a majority of the advice given here focuses on the applicant possessing a hard science undergrad degree. I'm not sure if firms place a large distinction between UG and MS, but just from reading advice on here that seems to be the consensus.

Also, as per the USPTO requirements, "CATEGORY A: Bachelor's Degree in a Recognized Technical Subject...."

and

"ii.Graduate Degrees: An applicant who has a Master's or higher level degree in one of the subject areas listed above, but does not have a Bachelor's degree in such subject, must established to the satisfaction of the OED Director that he or she possesses the necessary scientific and technical training. Possession of the necessary scientific and technical training may be satisfactorily established in the manner set forth under either Category B or Category C below."


So this is why I was very interested in the advice of those who actually know what the law firms care about when hiring applicants. From what I've learned on here, ultimately it boils down to whether or not the newly minted attorney can speak the language of engineers and fully grasp the concepts (which is why striving to satisfy the Category B or Category C USPTO requirements appears to be a fruitless endeavor). But if someone out there can shed light on how patent firms view applicants in our position (CS undergrad and MS EE) it would really help shed light on future career options.

I would like to know if a MSEE is acceptable w/o a BSEE as well.

[MYK]

I would like to know if a MSEE is acceptable w/o a BSEE as well.

You'd have to go through "category B".  See the GRB for how to count up your classes to decide whether you have a chance.

[bleedingpen]

You are misinformed.  CS is a perfectly acceptable degree.  If you want a hierarchy of degrees for patent bar eligible attorneys, here you go:

Highest Tier
PhD in Life Science
EE on any level

Upper Middle Tier
Computer Engineering
CS
Physics

Lower Middle Tier
ME or any variation of ME

Lowest Tier
Life Sciences without advanced degree
Civil Engineering
Textile Science or similar discipline


**** My opinion only based on limited amounts of exposure in HR and to the job market. 

This is very interesting to me as I'm an IT undergrad considering getting an MS in EE. I was under the impression that to be an attractive candidate to patent law firms, one must obtain an UG degree in EE (not just an MS)? Would patent law firms consider someone like myself (IT UG and MS in EE)??

Thanks again for a really informative post! 

If you have an MSEE, you can show up to your job interview without pants on. 

[TrainingDaze]

So MSEE (with non-EE undergrad) is enough for patent law career?

I just want to make sure as I am about to take the plunge into grad school and don't want to waste my time and $$ if this will not allow me to eventually work as a patent attorney.

Thank you

[lukertin]

So MSEE (with non-EE undergrad) is enough for patent law career?

I just want to make sure as I am about to take the plunge into grad school and don't want to waste my time and $$ if this will not allow me to eventually work as a patent attorney.

Thank you

I'm going to LOL so hard if you don't have the requisite courses to sit for the patent bar

[TrainingDaze]

So MSEE (with non-EE undergrad) is enough for patent law career?

I just want to make sure as I am about to take the plunge into grad school and don't want to waste my time and $$ if this will not allow me to eventually work as a patent attorney.

Thank you

I'm going to LOL so hard if you don't have the requisite courses to sit for the patent bar

[RMissimer]

I understand your concerns completely.   I have a BSMS (Business Management Systems), a BSCS out of UW-Madison, and a MSE in computer engineering from MSOE.  I was told I didn't have the requisite courses to sit for the exam.

As it turned out UW-Mad isn't an approved school,  nor is MSOE.  After a one year Cat Fight, it turned out that I needed to retake physics I and II which they accepted from UW-Waukesha (go figure).

I passed the exam first time, once I got passed the red tape.

If they object to your course work,  email me and I'll help you through it.   You have to want it pretty bad to get in.