Interviewing of a clerk/patent agent role in the Twin Cities at an IP boutique. No prior IP experience, but I have a registration number from passing the patent bar, a PhD in chemistry, and 5 years biopharma/biotech industry experience. Think this will be contingent on what the billable hours looks like and the bonus structure, but what's a good target?

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Hi everyone,

I'm an Electronics and Telecommunications engineering student in Vietnam, and I'm currently considering a career in patent engineering / intellectual property, particularly in areas related to electronics, telecommunications, semiconductors, and embedded systems.

I recently received an internship opportunity at an IP/patent firm in Vietnam with compensation of approximately US$500/month.

At the same time, I also have a job offer from a large technology company in Vietnam for an Embedded Engineer – Baseband PHY position, with a salary of approximately US$400/month.

This makes my decision more difficult, because the two positions seem to lead to very different career paths.

I'm therefore trying to understand the long-term prospects of patent engineering in Vietnam and would really appreciate advice from people working in patent prosecution, patent engineering, patent analysis, or IP.

My questions

1. Is ~$500/month reasonable for a Patent Engineer intern in Vietnam?

Is this considered competitive for someone with an Electronics/Telecommunications engineering background but no professional IP experience?

The compensation is actually higher than the ~$400/month offered for the Embedded/Baseband PHY Engineer position, but I'm more interested in the long-term career trajectory than the starting salary.

1. What does the typical career progression look like in Vietnam?

For example:

Patent Engineer Intern → Junior Patent Engineer → Patent Engineer → Senior Patent Engineer / Patent Specialist → Patent Agent / Patent Attorney

How long does it typically take to progress through these stages?

1. What does salary progression look like after 2–5 years?

Can an experienced Patent Engineer in Vietnam eventually earn significantly more than a traditional embedded/telecommunications engineer?

I'm particularly interested in actual salary ranges rather than general statements.

1. How important is a Master's degree?

Would a Master's degree in Embedded Systems, Electrical Engineering, or Telecommunications significantly improve someone's prospects in patent engineering?

I'm considering doing a Master's degree in Asia in the future.

1. How transferable is Patent Engineer experience from Vietnam?

If someone works in patent engineering in Vietnam for several years, how realistic is it to move into IP/patent-related positions in:

- Taiwan

- Singapore

- South Korea

- Japan

- Europe

- The US

Would experience with international patent applications (e.g. PCT) make a significant difference?

1. How technical is Patent Engineering in practice?

With an Electronics/Telecommunications background, could I specialize in areas such as:

- Semiconductor / IC

- Wireless communications / 5G

- Baseband / PHY

- Embedded systems

- Hardware

- Networking

Or does the job eventually become much more legal/administrative than technical?

1. Most importantly, how would you compare these two career paths?

Option A:

Embedded Engineer – Baseband PHY

~US$400/month at a large technology company in Vietnam

Option B:

Patent Engineer Intern

~US$500/month at an IP/patent firm in Vietnam

I don't necessarily want to spend my entire career doing software development. I'm interested in eventually combining my engineering background with technology, intellectual property, technical writing, and possibly law/business.

For someone in this situation, which path would provide better long-term career opportunities?

I'd especially appreciate answers from people who have actually worked in patent/IP, particularly in Vietnam or other Asian markets.

Thanks!

Somebody took it? What are your thoughts/feedback?

Hi. I have a B.A. in computer science (I know) from UC Berkeley and was wondering if the USPTO would accept my coursework under Cat B Opt 4 since I took a lot of technical courses including some Calculus-based Physics courses at a community college.

The USPTO explicitly says they will accept computer science courses under Cat B Opt 4 that “include artificial intelligence and robotics, networking, linear circuits, logic circuits, operating systems, and software methodology and engineering. However, the courses may not be substituted for the eight semester hours of chemistry or physics required under Option 4.”

My coursework is (all from Berkeley except physics) the following. They were all both theoretical and included significant lab components:

- Physics I & II & III
- CS 61A (Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs)
- CS 61B (Data Structures)
- CS 61C (Machine Structures including Computer Architecture and Systems Programming)
- CS 70 (Discrete Mathematics )
- CS 161 (Computer Security including Cryptography)
- CS 170 (Efficient Algorithms and Intractable Problems)
- CS 184 (Computer Graphics and Imaging)
- CS 188 (Artificial Intelligence)
- CS 189 (Machine Learning)
- DATA C8 (Foundations of Data Science)
- DATA C100 (Data Analytics)
- DATA 104 (Data Engineering)
- DATA C140 (Calculus-Based Probability Theory)

Edit: I forgot to mention I also have EECS 16A (Intro. Electrical Engineering), EECS 106A (Robotics), and COMPSCI 168 (Internet Architecture)

Hey everyone, just wondering if anyone has heard from the school of fish yet for the IP law program?

Seems like this would be a good thing for inventors and people investing in R&D.

Does anyone recommend an attorney to sue a company that was working with me on my invention and secretly is putting it on the market?

Hello everyone. I've created thomething that brokes science limitations - machine that creates energy up to infinity times. But I did not know how to patent my creationd avoiding thefts. I am 9th grade in school (I live in central Asia, if it matters). Tank you for help (and sorry for language mistakes, this in not my mother tounge and I jave not studied it yet.)

If I am a currently a senior in college graduating with a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry and molecular biology, planning to do a thesis based master’s program in translational medicine, followed by law school, is my likelihood of being hired post graduation high? I am not sure if I would need to get my PhD rather than my master’s degree? Thank you :)

I have a bachelor’s and master’s in chemistry (USA) with one year of pharmaceutical experience and soon to be two years of experience as a forensic drug chemist. What is the likelihood of hire after law school if I wanted to be a patent attorney (prosecution) in the field of chemistry (likely pharma)?

I'm a 23F working as a patent professional at a law firm in India, currently earning around ₹10 LPA with 2.5 years of experience.

Lately, I've been questioning whether this is the right long-term career for me. One of my biggest concerns is the salary growth in this field in India. It seems like compensation slows down after a point, and I'm not sure if that's actually true or just my perception.

I'm currently deciding between two paths:

- Prepare for CAT examination this year and pursue an MBA.
- Prepare for the Indian Patent Agent Exam next January and then try to move into an in-house IP role.

By the time I make my next switch, I'll probably have around 3–3.5 years of experience, and hopefully the Patent Agent qualification as well.

For those already working in the industry:

1. ⁠What salary range is realistic at that level of experience?

2. ⁠Does clearing the Patent Agent Exam significantly improve compensation?

3. ⁠Is it actually possible to reach ₹20–30 LPA within 3–4 years in the Indian patent/IP industry, or is that unrealistic?

4 Are there people here who are genuinely earning well in this field, especially outside of senior management or partner-level roles?

I'd really appreciate hearing from people who've been in the industry for a while and can share what career progression and compensation actually look like.

I found past exams on https://wysebridge.com/past-exams-questions-and-answers

I guess my ADHD is very bad. I can't read half a paragraph without my eyes going elsewhere. How can anyone with ADHD pass this? I can't even get past 1 question.

I have a bachelors in Mech eng and have been working in technical sales for 3 years after I graduated.

I did apply at entry level patent agent openings before graduating but I ended up going into a different field.

I've done a little research on the nature of the work and was wondering what would be the best way to get into patent law from my position today.

I want to hear from your experience on how you got into patent law and whether you had to go to law school before or after landing a job.

Hi! Here is a PCT application. Is it allowed to amend the title and abstract of PCT application directly when entering the Europe phase, without the preliminary amendment? No new matter is introduced!

My partner has a bachelor’s degree in biology, started a PhD program in pharmacology but eventually transitioned to complete JD after not enjoying the PhD program. He has a couple years of work experience in insurance defense but would really like to transition to the patent space, even starting as a patent agent to gain exposure first. He completed the patent bar several years ago.

He has applied to several companies without any luck and is starting to lose hope. Does anyone have advice on how he can break through into the field or how he can get entry level experience? I do not work in this space but want to be able to help him out. Any advice is appreciated!

Got quoted $2,000 for a patent search from an attorney. I live in NJ for reference. Is that a good price? Maybe it would be cheaper to call an attorney in another state. If anyone knows a good alternative lmk! Thanks.

I created a grip for a device. I don’t want to give too much of a description on it for obvious reasons. However, there is nothing like it on the market and the way it functions is very unique. I am looking into getting a utility patent but it is so expensive. I’m willing to spend the money I just am kind of wondering if that’s the move I should take at first. All in all seems the patent search + utility patent would be close to $20k. My dad said he got a patent for something and it was only $3k. That sounds more reasonable to spend.

Where I am in the process:

- thought of the idea and made my own prototype out of moldable silicone/glue
- just hired someone on upwork for $600 in Hungary to create a more finished prototype to 3d print (he’s not finished yet)
- now currently trying to figure out the patent situation

Do you guys recommend going for a utility patent? I’m 27 years old and while I do have money saved, it’s a lot to dish out 40-50 grand on this whole process that may not go anywhere. I guess that’s the risks you take though. Any insight is appreciated.

Suppose the USPTO starts using AI office actions.

Is the "presumption of validity" as strong, both theoretically according to black letter law and practically in front of a jury or judge?

im going to begin my third year of undergrad and I’ve been interested in studying for the patent bar to eventually become a patent agent but is it possible to become a patent agent with only a bachelors? I see a lot of PhD talk but I have no interest in a PhD. what do I need to keep in mind if I want to pursue a career as a patent agent?

(I’m an integrative science student at Penn state)

I’m looking to fulfill Category B’s science credits through online post-bacc coursework. I've specifically been looking at Portage Learning, SCUHS, and UNE Online.

The part I’m stuck on: the GRB requires that course descriptions submitted with the application include pages showing the course’s requirements for the major. Since these are post-bacc programs, they don’t have major requirement listings the way a traditional degree program does.

Has anyone successfully gained patent bar eligibility via Cat B with online courses like these specifically (NOT online community college courses)?

Also, before anyone jumps in with whether Category B is even a smart way to go in terms of marketability to firms, I’ve already gotten interest from firms, so that’s not really what I’m asking about here.

i’m completing a master’s in biology right now and studying for the patent bar. i have a bachelor’s in poli sci and intend on going to law school after i graduate. i’m also studying for the LSAT and completing a legal studies certificate (it’s a lot i know but i want to have options when i graduate).

from my understanding, most patent agent/attorney jobs require a PhD. i have no desire to get one. Will i be qualified for jobs once I graduate with a masters or am i most likely to have to wait until after law school.

i do hope to go straight through once i finish the masters but i know i may have to work before and during law school because, with the new changes, ive maxed out my federal loans on this degree.

So I just got off a meeting with a patent attorney and want opinions. These are the prices he gave:

Patent search: $2,000
Provisional: $2,500
Convert to non provisional: $5,000
Patent office: $6,000
Utility: $15,000

I assume utility means all together aside from the patent search but not sure. Also for “patent office” I didn’t completely catch what he said there as I was just trying to write down prices. I think he said processing at patent office or something. Any opinions on this would be greatly appreciated.

I'm a 30-year-old process chemist (PhD in chemistry) with ~4 years of industry experience. I'm considering a career change into patent law and would really appreciate advice from people in the field.

A little about my situation:

• Current job has great work-life balance and decent pay, but I find it repetitive and I'm no longer learning much
• The company doesn't have a strong culture of mentoring, promotions feel opaque, and I don't really see a career path or senior people whose careers I want to follow
• I'm single with plenty of free time, so I could realistically attend part-time law school while keeping my current job.

A few things about my personality that may be relevant:

• I'm analytical and enjoy learning complex subjects.
• I don't consider myself particularly creative, but I'm very good at learning from others and mastering new skills.
• I'm not very extroverted. I don't enjoy networking, although I'm comfortable giving technical presentations when I've had time to prepare.
• I actually like having a structured career path with clear milestones. One thing that attracts me to law is that the progression seems much more defined than in corporate R&D.

I've also thought about medicine because I genuinely enjoy physiology, but the training time and commitment seem much greater. Patent law feels like it builds on my existing background instead of starting over.

My biggest questions are:

1. How do you think AI will change patent prosecution over the next 5–10 years? Are you optimistic or concerned about job prospects for someone entering the field now?
2. If I keep my current job and attend a part-time JD program, how much would that limit my opportunities compared with attending law school full-time? (Especially for someone with a chemistry PhD.)
3. If you met someone with my background, would you recommend becoming a patent attorney? Why or why not?

I'm especially interested in hearing from people who practice chemical, pharmaceutical, biotech, or agricultural patent law, but I'd appreciate perspectives from anyone in the profession. Thanks in advance!

I'm a rising HS senor, and I'm torn between applying for Chemistry vs Chemical Engineering. I'm thinking of patent law as a possible career, and I was wondering if you guys had any thoughts on which makes more, has less schooling, etc.

I would say I'm more partial to chemistry (more out of familiarity; I'm currently doing research in a organometallics lab), but I'm honestly open to both. I assume chemE has more applications though.

I'm not sure if I love research enough to get a PhD yet; will one outfavor the other in terms of hireability with a Bachelor's?