To stay ahead of competition companies are continuously innovating. New software applications, gadgets or new medicines are flooding into market on daily basis. This has led to increase in importance and growth of specialized industry – IP industry.
IP industry consist of companies providing patent, trademark or copyright services, law firms helping clients enforce IP rights, legal or knowledge process outsourcing companies which are helping in patent docketing or patent searching or technological companies who have to work very hard to generate, protect and enforce intellectual assets.
This scenario where intellectual property has become center of doing business and making profits, many jobs have now become available for freshers in the market.
IPR industry employs varied types of professionals ranging from lawyers ( students with LLB degree) to engineers from varied backgrounds like biotechnology, computer science, electronics, mechanical to pharma graduates to freshers with BBA degree.Check out top 10 jobs available for freshers in IPR industry.
Job 1
Patent Analyst– Fresh graduates from various scientific background can apply for job of patent analyst. Primary job of patent analyst is to read the patent application of new invention being made by client, understand the invention and search prior art references of particular invention. On the basis of analysis made by patent analyst, report prepared to used by client to make important decisions like deciding whether they have to invest money on patent prosecution or whether they can launch their product in market- local or global.
Job 2
Patent Engineers – All engineering graduates can apply for job of patent engineer in technological companies like GE, Motorola, Biocon, Dr. Reddy’s, Nestle etc. or even in Law Firms who require technical experts. Patent Engineers helps in understanding the new innovations whether it is new product or process and fine tune novelty of the invention. They help companies draft patent application and help companies get right to do business on new products.
Job 3
Patent Docketing Officer– In legal process outsourcing or knowledge process outsourcing companies like CPA Global, Pangea 3, Thomson Reuters etc. companies like Glaxo Smith Kline, IBM, Google etc. outsource their process of handling patent portfolio which consist of thousands of patent. So officer employed in India helps such companies complete the government compliance of United States Patent and Trademark Office in filing patent application. They need to coordinate between Patent Office and company staff so as to allow easy flow of appropriate information. Please note getting patent is tedious, time consuming and money taking process. So officer helps in great deal in increasing productivity.
Job 4
IP Attorney– Fresh law students can apply in law firms and work in cases of trademark and patent infringement. With increasing competition, new brands and new products are entering into market. So there is increase demand of lawyers who can help get brand registration and fight lawsuits against piracy. Also fresh law graduates are employed in LPO/ KPO type companies where they work in legal research or docketing or proofreading of documents.
Job 5
Patent Agent – After qualifying Indian Patent Agent Examination conducted by Government of India, science graduates can work as Patent Agent. Primary work of patent agent is to help scientists protect or register his invention and get maximum benefits. They work closely with patent office of India and work in various steps of patent grant. In bird’s eye view, work may seem legal only, so there may be question why science graduates are required? Actually, only students from science background can understand scientific aspect of invention and draft patent application. Starting salary of Registered Patent Agent is 3 lac per annum.
Job 6
IP Proofreading – Any fresh graduate can be employed as IP Proofreader whose main work is to read published patent applications and check for errors in patent application. Person has to work according to the guideline issued by patent office.
Job 7
Paralegal – Closely work with patent office for any type of correspondence, write letters to clients and draft answers to patent office. Paralegal works closely with attorney. Excellent research skills, ability to work on MS Office, communication skills are required to get selected for the job. Any fresh graduate science, non-science or legal background can apply for such jobs.
Job 8
IP Associate – IP associate work in Law Firms or companies having IP cell. They help manage patent and trademark portfolio, work with team of patent analyst, engineers and legal assistants.
Job 9
Patent Writer or Drafter– Writing patent application is tricky and requires strong communication and good english. Patent writer works closely with researcher, understand invention and write patent application according to guidelines provided by patent office.
Job 10
Legal Researcher-Conduct legal research to find relevant prior art references for patent application, conduct novelty search, freedom to operate search etc. They work on various software and prepare reports.
