There are five requirements that must be met to obtain a patent: patentable subject matter, utility, novelty, nonobviousness and enablement.
The five primary requirements for patentability are: (1) patentable subject matter; (2) utility; (3) novelty; (4) non-obviousness; and (5) enablement. Like trademarks, patents are territorial, meaning they are enforceable in a specific geographic area.
In summary: Chemical engineering is a great major for patent attorneys. It covers a lot of the bases, including bio/chemical engineering, but it is not limited to those areas. You will find that you work on a variety of patents, not just electronics or biotech products.
Explore the different types of patents: utility, provisional, design, and plant patents. Patents are legal protections granted for various types of inventions, ensuring inventors exclusive rights to their creations.
You (the inventor) or your legal representative may apply for a patent, with some exceptions. These include if the inventor has died, is legally incapacitated, refuses to apply, or cannot be found.
Although obtaining a law degree is not essential after your PhD, it is recommended, and all patent agents must pass rigorous qualifying exams. Further down the road, training in patent law offers opportunities for in-house work in biotech companies, business development, and mergers and acquisitions.
Mechanical Engineering: Mechanical engineering covers a wide range of industries, including manufacturing, robotics, and automotive, making it a solid choice for patent law. Chemical Engineering: This field is crucial for patents related to chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and materials science.
Patent law for engineers training covers patent applications, research and prosecution, along with the law of breach and computer software and hardware applications, protected by copyright and hardware respectively.