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[two2tango]

Of late there is a lot of buzz in the industry about this opportunity for technologist. They go by other names like IP engineer or patent professional or IP manager or search/information specialist. While this can be a very fulfilling role in itself... the growth path is still not clear to everyone.

How can an IP professional succeed in this role? What does it take?
How can he expand in this role moving away from the core expertise of searching?
How has this role evolved over the years?

Any inputs will be appreciated.

[Ghoti]

Within any group, generally the lowest qualified person gets the lowest quality of work. So, if you are in a group with adequate admin support, it would be unlikely for you to do admin, if not...

[two2tango]

My question was rather in terms of the career path of an IP professional. Is there one distinct career path for an IP professional, who is not an attorney, in the industry?

[Wiscagent]

two2 –

Some businesses with active patenting programs employ ‘patent facilitators’, ‘patent liaisons’, ‘patent scientists’, or ‘patent engineers’.  While the job descriptions vary, they commonly include i) identifying and encouraging the kinds of inventions that will bring the most value to the business; ii) working with scientists or engineers to ensure that high quality invention disclosures are prepared; ii) preparing filing / maintenance recommendations for management; iii) patent portfolio analysis; iv) patent searching; v) coordinating amongst patent council, technical personnel, and management; vi) providing support to attorneys for litigation and negotiation.

Typically the patent facilitator has a technical background and is familiar with the state of the art in the product lines of the business, and has some intellectual property experience or training.  Many patent facilitators are patent agents.

The patent facilitator role can range from a minor assignment for a scientist or engineer, to an important full-time job with substantial influence in the business.

You asked
-   “How can an IP professional succeed in this role? What does it take?”  It’s like any other job  - do what is necessary to make yourself invaluable to your boss and your boss’s boss.  And that’s much easier said than done.
-   “How can he expand in this role moving away from the core expertise of searching?”  -  Searching should not be the core role.  The core role is to ensure that the business is patenting inventions that will bring the most value to the business.
-   “How has this role evolved over the years?” – A couple of decades ago the patent facilitator role was essentially clerical – maintain the docket.

I hope that helps.

[two2tango]

Thanks Wisc! I think it is a good start... to your last point it would seem that IP professional role did not exist. Rather it was more of a paralegal who would assist attorneys. Also in the early days a lot of chemists got into the role which has changed over the years.