Faced with a growing backlog and long patent pendency periods in a difficult fiscal environment, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is reaching out to former patent examiners, inviting them to return to the agency. “Because of their prior experience, returning examiners will need little training and will be able to hit the ground running,” said USPTO Director David Kappos. “These examiners can have an immediate impact on the patent examination backlog and reducing the backlog is our top priority.”
Former examiners who have passed their probationary requirement and who have resigned less than three years ago or have more than three years experience examining patents are invited to apply. The USPTO estimates that a few hundred former examiners are eligible to be rehired. Of that number, less than 100 are expected to accept the offer. Vacancy announcements for the positions have been posted at www.USAJobs.gov. The openings are for GS-9 through GS-14.
The initiative to rehire examiners will not increase the size of the agency’s workforce, but it will hopefully help the agency keep pace with the attrition rate. Currently 30 to 40 examiners per month leave the USPTO.
The rehire initiative is another example of the USPTO’s efforts recently to implement creative approaches to addressing the backlog and pendency. During the last several months, the USPTO has revamped the patent examiner count system to improve the examination process. It has also expanded the petition to make special option to green technologies and applicants who agree to abandon applications they deem less important.
Large mid-town law firm seeks attorneys with 3 to 5 years of IP/Patent experience and advanced degree in life sciences for a 6 month project.
Contact: Please e-mail your resume as a Microsoft Word document to mmeister@strategiclegal.com and refer in the "Subject" line to IP/Patent Attorney. We do NOT submit your resume anywhere without first obtaining your explicit authorization.
Additional Info: Employer Type: Law Firm Job Location: New York, New York (Mid-town Manhattan)
Stevens and Showalter, L.L.P., a small patent law boutique located in a south Dayton suburb within a short drive of northern Cincinnati suburbs, seeks an attorney or agent having two or more years of patent application drafting and prosecution experience with a degree in either chemical or electrical engineering and a willingness to draft some mechanical patent applications. Income is based on a percentage of billed hours.
Contact: Please forward resumes to Hiring Partner at info@sspatlaw.com.
Additional Info: Employer Type: Law Firm Job Location: Dayton, Ohio
Live in beautiful Australia and use your patent savvy for high-profile international public good interventions. The Initiative for Open Innovation (IOI) is seeking a life sciences patent attorney.
The Initiative for Open Innovation (IOI) is a new global facility to increase the effectiveness, efficiency and equity of science- and technology-enabled innovation, for the public good (www.openinnovation.org). Amongst the first targets for IOI is comprehensive patent system transparency and navigation.
We require an extraordinarily energetic and experienced patent professional to work with our information technology team and executive to: • Actively engage in the creation of new web applications to standardize open patent landscaping; • Create dynamic patent landscapes as public goods, focusing on tuberculosis, malaria and other critical infectious diseases; • Provide internationally relevant patent law, policy and practice guidance as we add new jurisdictions, languages, and feature sets to the Patent Lens; • Assist with multiple language implementations of the Patent Lens; • Assist the Patent Lens team as we integrate science, technical and business data into the Lens; • Liaise with key partners worldwide, including public sector agencies, patent offices, civil society and the private sector.
The position requires high levels of biomedical scientific sophistication, demonstrated patent analytical abilities, deep knowledge of patent systems internationally and excellent communications skills, both written and oral.
The position is for an initial appointment for one year, with possibility of renewal. Funded by The Lemelson Foundation, this position will serve as the IOI liaison with Indian Government CSIR's Open Source Drug Discovery project (www.osdd.org), with a focus on creating patent landscapes relevant to tuberculosis, and in incorporating Indian patent data into the Patent Lens.
Required: • A PhD with postdoctoral experience (or equivalent) in the life sciences; • A patent professional, admitted to practice in a major jurisdiction, especially the USA, Europe or Japan, with JD or patent agent qualification, or equivalent; • A prolific and clear analyst and writer; • At least 3 years of practice experience as in-house patent counsel or analyst focusing on biomedicine; • Extensive experience in conducting freedom to operate analyses, patent landscaping, and in understanding patent families in multiple jurisdictions; and • Web-savvy, with appreciation for the disruptive capabilities of Web 2.0.
Desirable: • At least five years’ experience within the private sector in infectious disease or biomedicine; • Hands-on capabilities in bioinformatics and/or chemi-informatics; • Particular experience with vaccines, diagnostics, therapeutics and biologics related to malaria, tuberculosis, dengue, HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases which disproportionately impact the developing world; • A passion for the public good and for improving innovation system effectiveness, transparency and fairness; • Written and spoken fluency in languages of Asian patent systems, particularly Hindi, Chinese, Japanese or Korean; • Enthusiasm to be at the leading edge of the democratization of the innovation system; and • Sense of humor, joie de vivre and appreciation for fine coffee and good company. Remuneration: Attractive salary packages will be negotiated with successful candidates, commensurate with qualifications but balanced by realities of public good funding, as well as relocation assistance.
Contact: Applications, including CV, cover letter, references and any supporting materials, should be sent to Annie Connell, Cambia, at: annie.connell@cambia.org. For further information, contact Shona McDiarmid, Chief Patent Counsel, Cambia, at: shona.mcdiarmid@cambia.org, +61 7 3138 7432.
Additional Info: Employer Type: Other Job Location: Brisbane, Australia
IOI is an evolving joint venture between Cambia (www.cambia.org) and the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) (www.qut.edu.au). IOI is funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and The Lemelson Foundation. It is advised by an International Advisory Council which includes the Director General of WIPO (www.wipo.int), senior representatives of WHO, FAO, UNDP and WTO, as well as national and international innovation leaders and visionaries in both the public and private sector. It is headquartered on the QUT Gardens Point Campus in downtown Brisbane, Queensland, with offices in Canberra.
Building on the platform of the Cambia Patent Lens (www.patentlens.net), IOI will create new Web 2.0 patent landscaping and decision-support tools to allow diverse new entrants into innovation, and to create an evidence base for policy and practice change for public benefit.
IOI will also explore, test, validate and support new collaboration and licensing tools to foster an effective ‘commons of capability,’ enhancing the ability of the public sector to create shared platforms on which diverse applications can be built.
IOI and the Patent Lens will be sector, jurisdiction and language agnostic. However, the initial funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and The Lemelson Foundation will focus the Lens into improving innovation to alleviate the impact of infectious diseases associated with poverty.
The initial work will also seek to extend the Patent Lens as a service to Asia and other non-English speaking jurisdictions.
INVISTA is currently seeking a business-focused Patent Attorney to provide counsel and support to one of our largest divisions. A critical success factor for this position is the ability to synthesize technical concepts from interactions with technical staff into meaningful action items for business leadership. The successful candidate must be a self-starter, possess the ability to quickly adapt to changes in the business, and must demonstrate a strong work ethic. The incumbent will prepare and prosecute chemical composition and process patent applications for INVISTA's Intermediates business, bring and defend patent oppositions, conduct freedom-to-operate and patent validity studies, draft and negotiate patent and technology related agreements and manage outside counsel's performance of similar tasks.
In addition, the incumbent will provide patent related legal counsel to Senior R&D and Business leaders in one of INVISTA's largest businesses units. Such counsel will include providing strategic patent and patent related legal guidance to the business unit, which will align with the business strategy and vision. The successful candidate will be expected to provide these legal services with limited supervision and oversight. INVISTA is looking for an applicant with at least one major area of expertise that the rest of the legal organization may rely upon. The position will report to the chief patent counsel and will provide functional guidance to support professionals in patent preparation, prosecution, and freedom-to-operate studies.
Experience & Skills Required: * 4 + years of patent preparation and prosecution experience at a major corporation and/or intellectual property law firm. * Undergraduate degree in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Polymer Science or Polymer Engineering * Registration to practice before the USPTO * Licensed to practice law in at least one state.
Preferred Experience & Skills: * Advanced degree in Chemical Engineering or Chemistry * 3+ years of prior work experience in a field within the chemical industry * Experience managing technical and/or engineering personnel * Experience communicating complex or technical issues and proposals to business leaders.
Please visit our website to apply for this opportunity or to learn more about INVISTA. At INVISTA, a world leader in fibers and polymers, you can advance professionally while helping improve products you depend on every day. We're a subsidiary of Koch Industries, Inc., one of the largest privately held companies in the world. When you succeed here, you can open the door to opportunities within the diverse business segments of INVISTA and other Koch companies around the globe.
We are an equal opportunity employer. M/F/D/V Drug tests are required, unless prohibited by state law
Competitive wages and benefits packages commensurate with experience.
OSI Pharmaceuticals is seeking a patent agent to begin work in Melville, N.Y. and relocate to Ardsley, N.Y. around the first quarter of 2010. Person to maintain and expand OSI’s intellectual property by drafting and prosecuting new and existing patent applications and by responding to U.S. and foreign Office Actions. Provide analysis of third party IP from patent database search results. Perform other administrative patent duties as required.
Responsibilities: • Assess the patentability of new technologies developed by OSI scientists. Collaborate and strategize with researchers to draft new patent applications. Prepare and revise non-provisional and foreign filings. • Prosecute patent applications. Review and respond to U.S. Office Actions and instruct outside foreign counsel for Office Action responses. • Provide analysis of third party IP from patent database search results.
Requirements: • B.S. in Chemistry, Biology or Biochemistry, Registration to practice before the U.S.P.T.O., 1-3 years relevant experience including • Patent drafting, patent prosecution, IP analyses (e.g. freedom to operate, infringement, validity). • IP database proficiency (e.g. Geneseq, Derwent, Delphion, USPTO, EPO, JPO), prior art searches. • Provide analysis of third party IP from patent database search results.
Contact: To apply for this position, please submit your resume to http://careers.osip.com (Reference job # AR00014). For more information about OSI Pharmaceuticals, Inc. visit our website.
Additional Info: Employer Type: Large Corporation Job Location: Ardsley, New York
A successful Pittsburgh start-up is looking for a patent agent/attorney with a background in electrical and computer engineering. Basic job duties will be to prosecute and expand a docket focusing on consumer electronic devices. Compensation packages will include be a combination of salary and equity.
The Global IP Group consists of patent law firms in the United States, Germany, Korea, China and Japan. We are currently seeking several licensed U.S. patent attorneys/agents with one to three years of patent prosecution experience or former patent examiners with at least one year of experience working at the USPTO to help the Global IP Group expand its U.S. practice in Osaka, Japan. This position offers the perfect opportunity to learn about Japanese IP practice and to work directly with major Japanese corporations.
Candidates must possess a bachelor’s degree in physics or engineering (preferably electrical or mechanical engineering). However, other disciplines will be considered along with related work experiences. Applicants are expected to have strong writing skills in English and knowledge of current rules and regulations for successfully practicing before the USPTO.
U.S. citizenship is required, since candidates will need to be able to keep their registration to practice before the USPTO while living abroad. No Japanese language skills are required, but candidates are advised to learn enough Japanese to function comfortably in society. The salary is commensurate with experience. Standard benefits and reasonable relocation expense reimbursement will be provided for moving from the U.S. to Japan.
Contact: Interested applicants should contact Yoshio Miyagawa at YMiyagawa@giplaw.com.
Additional Info: Employer Type: Law Firm Job Location: Osaka, Japan
About LELG: • We are a four-lawyer IP boutique law firm located in Richmond, Virginia. Our practice includes patents, trademarks, copyrights and licensing. Two of our attorneys specialize in patent matters. • LELG has an extensive technology infrastructure and extensive IP legal resources. • Our offices are in the heart of downtown Richmond in Three James Center, overlooking the James River. We have a modern YMCA in our building and are in the middle of a great restaurant district. • LELG is recommended by Chambers USA and holds a Martindale AV rating. John Farmer is listed in Best Lawyers in America. • Find out a lot more at www.LeadingEdgeLaw.com.
About the Position: • We are seeking an experienced patent attorney to join our firm. This person must have at least four years experience in patent prosecution and counseling. • The candidate must have experience in patent prosecution of computer technology inventions. We strongly prefer that the candidate have either a degree in electrical engineering or computer science. • The primary purpose of this hire is to replace one of our patent attorneys, who plans to retire soon. Specifically, we want to find an attorney who can take primary responsibility for our substantial patent-prosecution relationship with a large, publicly-traded patent client. • We are open to discussing various work schedules and compensation models. Yet, with great success, we have used a model where one earns a substantial percentage of one’s collected productivity plus a percentage of one’s collected origination. • This model pays partner-level percentages of productivity and origination without the lawyer having to make a capital contribution. • It eliminates the need for a billable hour goal and gives you work flexibility. • We take and keep only clients who pay on time, so working on a collected fees basis has worked fine. • A candidate must have each of these attributes to be considered: • At least four years of patent prosecution experience in a reputable legal environment, • A reputation for doing high-quality work and for staying abreast of relevant IP legal developments, • Solid educational credentials, • Good writing and client-counseling ability, and • A friendly and kind personality. • While not required, it would be a bonus for a candidate to have these attributes: • Experience and interest in trademarks, copyrights and licensing, and • Exposure to intellectual property litigation.
An intellectual property law firm located in Northern Virginia currently seeks candidates with degrees in Biotechnology for its patent prosecution practice. Candidates must have at least 3 years of experience as an agent or attorney in patent prosecution.
The firm offers a relaxed environment with a very competitive salary, benefits and bonus structure.
Contact: To apply, please send cover letter and resume via e-mail to hripfirm@yahoo.com.
Additional Info: Employer Type: Law Firm Job Location: Northern Virginia
Young & Thompson, a prestigious, progressive, mid sized, boutique intellectual property law firm located in Alexandria, Virginia, currently seeks candidates with degrees in Electrical Engineering with experience in the semi-conductor & materials science arts for its patent prosecution practice. Candidates must have at least 3 years of experience as an agent or attorney in patent prosecution.
The firm offers a relaxed environment in waterfront offices with a very competitive salary, benefits and bonus structure. The firm’s unique structure provides a fulfilling and rewarding career opportunity for interested applicants.
Washington, D.C. Intellectual Property Law Firm Staas and Halsey LLP is seeking a highly motivated, patent attorney or registered patent agent to help grow the firm’s chemical prosecution practice. Position requires bachelor’s degree in chemistry or chemical engineering. Applicant should have excellent English language and writing skills and 1 to 2 years of patent prosecution experience or very strong prosecution knowledge base.
Contact: Please submit letter of interest and resume to attorney.employment@s-n-h.com. Additional Info: Employer Type: Law Firm Job Location: Washington, D.C.
Brake Hughes Bellermann LLP seeks a patent attorney for its patent prosecution practice. Our firm handles patent prosecution and counseling for a range of technologies, including computers, software, electronics, mechanical engineering, and networking/communications. We offer a friendly and flexible work environment with an “office-less” structure. While the firm is based in Washington, DC, several of our attorneys are located on the West Coast, and we will consider non-DC locations for qualified candidates.
We are one of the few firms that aspires to be a full-service patent prosecution firm in a truly virtual setting. By contrast, various other firms have a physical presence somewhere but allow attorneys to work remotely. However, we understand that such remote attorneys struggle with the partnership track or otherwise to fit in or advance within the firm culture. Also, there are micro, 1-3 person firms that are completely virtual but that don't offer real growth prospects for an incoming attorney. We feel BHB is unique because we can offer candidates the opportunity to grow their career in a traditional sense of developing their practice, participating in the firm’s growth, eventually becoming partner, etc., while allowing them flexibility of location.
Compensation at BHB is highly competitive with other Washington, DC-based firms. Benefits include 401k, medical, and dental insurance.
Requirements: • Ability to understand complex information and to explain the information clearly • Excellent written and oral communication skills • Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, computer science, physics, or related fields (advanced degree and/or industry experience preferred) • 2-8 years of experience with preparing and prosecuting U.S. patent applications • Registration to practice before the USPTO
Contact: To apply for this position, please send the following to careers@brakehughes.com: • Current Resume • USPTO Registration Number • Attorney Bar Number(s) • Undergrad, Grad, and Law School Transcripts • Estimate of number and types of Patent Applications Written • Estimate of number and types of Office Action Responses Handled • Relevant Writing Sample (e.g., patent/publication number(s) of drafted applications) Additional Info: Employer Type: Law Firm Location: Washington, D.C.
Management Recruiters of Union County is looking to place attorneys in several IP/Patent positions at Washington D.C., New York and New Jersey locations.
• Engineering background (preferably ME or EE) a must • Top-notch firms with sophisticated prosecution & litigation work.
Competitive compensations and comprehensive benefits. All inquiries will be handled in strictest confidence.
Axinn, Veltrop & Harkrider LLP seeks a patent agent with 3-5 years of patent prosecution experience. Must have PhD or M.S. in Life Sciences or Chemistry (preferably Organic Chemistry) and be registered with the USPTO. Exposure to litigation, opionions and due diligence review is preferred. Must have experience in patent preparation and prosecution. Patent Agent will work with Scientific Advisor to manage IP docket. Duties include patent preparation, drafting, docketing and portfolio management.
The Deer Park facility of Continental is seeking a highly motivated, registered patent agent with at least 5 years experience to add to its Patent and Licensing Group. You will work with patent attorneys, engineers, patent agents and business units to manage a patent portfolio, manage a patent review committee, prepare, file and prosecute patent applications and assist with other work, including opinions, agreements, managing outside IP counsel and litigation support. The work includes an interesting mix of automotive technologies and clients. Collegial atmosphere provides a great work environment and an opportunity to grow. Admission to the patent bar required.
The patent agent will report to the Head of Patent and Licenses and assist patent agents in the Deer Park office, and may also fill in for other Conti locations. Requirements: • Extensive knowledge of USPTO and PCT rules, regulations, forms; ability to perform research in the MPEP and to share knowledge with and train others. Former USPTO examiner or law firm experience is desirable. • Experience should include drafting and prosecuting domestic and international patent applications, conducting product clearances and patentability searches. Some experience with trademarks and IP-related agreements, such as non-disclosure, licensing, consultant, and joint development agreements would be helpful. • Strong verbal and written communication skills that adhere to the Continental's collegial and respectful interpersonal communications policy. • Must be flexible and able to work independently under tight deadlines, handle multiple tasks, work collaboratively, think creatively, take initiative and respond quickly to changing priorities. • Able to work in a collaborative teamwork style work environment and be willing to assist/support others. • Strong computer skills including a ability to actively learn and utilize software including, Microsoft Office, the USPTO's EFS, and an IP docket management database (CPA preferred). • Bachelors Degree in an Engineering discipline preferred with a minimum of 5 years of patent prosecution experience and working on U.S. and foreign patent filings.
Dalina, an intellectual property law firm representing innovative high-technology companies, is looking for a Patent Agent with a strong technical background in computer science or electrical engineering.This is an excellent opportunity to join an entrepreneurial environment and work closely with experienced practitioners. We offer excellent salaries and the ability to practice in an informal and collegial atmosphere.
Candidates must be able to work with inventors and firm attorneys as needed to: • Take invention disclosures and author patent applications within a specified time constraint (generally 15-35 hours depending on complexity). This requires an ability to quickly comprehend and write about varying types of technological advances. • Author office action responses and prior art searches through review of prior art to identify key differences between the prior art and an invention and then prepare arguments within 8-15 hours articulating these differences in a compelling and clearly presented matter. • Review documents received from the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), determine the due date by which action is required and flawlessly assist with maintenance of the firm's document tracking and deadline database. An ability to be exceedingly detail oriented is a must. • Meet or exceed the firm’s monthly billable hour requirement of 150/hours by tracking and entering all time spent on client matters on a daily basis. • Document and follow the firm’s docketing procedures within 3 months of your start date. • Review file wrappers and if necessary prepare an Information Disclosure Statement (IDS) Prior patent experience and a USPTO registration are preferred, but not essential. Candidates willing to become registered before the USPTO will also be considered.
Brookhaven National Laboratory is a nonprofit research and development institution whose purpose is to advance ideas and knowledge through a multidisciplinary program of basic and applied research. Our Legal Office has a full time opportunity for a Chief Intellectual Property Counsel.
The Chief Intellectual Property Counsel directs the activities of the Intellectual Property Legal Support Group within the Office of the General Counsel in all functions relating to identifying, evaluating, reporting and protecting discoveries and inventions developed by or contributed by Laboratory personnel. The group currently consists of a senior patent attorney and a paralegal.
Responsibilities include formulating Laboratory policy relating to intellectual property matters. The Chief Intellectual Property Counsel will oversee and participate in the identification of patentable intellectual property, the development of outside patentability and patent drafting contracts, discussions with inventors, web searches for identifying markets and customers, development of patent scope and preparation of patent applications. They will also oversee the patent prosecution work conducted by outside patent counsel and represent BNL with Patent Office Examiners. Additional responsibilities include providing guidance to management regarding most promising research and developing patent prosecution strategies; and providing legal advice on transactional matters including licensing and sponsored research contracts.
Requirements: • A Juris Doctorate – JD • 10 years of progressively responsible legal experience in the field of intellectual property • Strong managerial and communication skills, particularly writing and negotiating • Admission to at least one state bar, NY state preferred, and admission to USPTO • Extensive knowledge and experience in legal matters pertaining to the protection of intellectual property • Familiarity with the technologies at BNL that lend themselves to patenting • Government contracting experience preferred • Must be a U.S. Citizen
At Brookhaven National Laboratory we believe that a comprehensive employee benefits program is an important and meaningful part of the compensation employees receive. Our benefits program includes but is not limited to: • Medical Plans • Vacation • Holidays • Dental Plans • Life Insurance • 401(k) Plan • Retirement Plan • On site Child Development Center, Swimming Pool, Weight room ,Tennis Courts, and many other employee perks and benefits
Contact: We invite you to consider Brookhaven National Laboratory for employment. To be considered for this position, apply online at www.bnl.gov and click Jobs, then click Search Job List and search for job #14802.
Brookhaven National Laboratory is an equal opportunity employer committed to work force diversity.
Additional Info: Employer Type: Other Job Location: Upton, New York (Long Island)
Given Imaging is seeking a patent attorney/agent to start working immediately. Given Imaging is redefining the field of gastrointestinal (GI) diagnosis by developing, producing and marketing innovative, patient-friendly products for detecting GI disorders. Given Imaging pioneered PillCam capsule endoscopy and today offers a range of PillCam video capsules and related products.
Responsibilities: • Proactive patent portfolio management including building, implementing, and managing the patent portfolio • Working directly with inventors from the company's R&D department • Drafting patent applications in a broad range of technological disciplines • Conducting prosecution of patent applications worldwide • Providing IP-related support to internal clients • Reporting to the company's Director of Intellectual Property
Qualifications: • Registration to practice before the Israeli Patent Office, the USPTO and/or the EPO • 3-6 years of experience as a patent agent or attorney with primary emphasis on working directly with inventors and drafting patent applications, preferably in the medical device area • Candidates with extensive experience in conducting freedom to operate analyses, patent landscaping, and in understanding patent families in multiple jurisdictions will be preferred • While qualified candidates of all technical disciplines will be considered, backgrounds in electrical, communication, and optical engineering will be preferred •The ideal candidate is a prolific and clear analyst and writer •Written and spoken fluency in English •Highly web-savvy •Minimal travel
Contact: Interested applicants should contact us at: jobs@givenimaging.com. Additional Info : Employer Type: Small Corporation Job Location: Yoqneam, Israel
Intellectual Ventures (“IV”) is looking for a Patent Development Manager (Agent/Attorney) to work in Bangalore, India. IV is a privately-held, invention investment company based in Bellevue, Washington. Founded in 2000, IV’s business model centers on creating, acquiring and licensing pure invention in a variety of technology areas. IV plans to commercialize inventions through licensing, spin-offs, joint ventures and industry partnerships.
Responsibilities: • 3+ years experience as a patent agent or attorney with primary emphasis on working directly with inventors and drafting patent applications • Degree in biophysics, biomedical, electrical engineering or computer science • USPTO Registration
Requirements: • Reviewing invention disclosures • Coming up to speed quickly on specific technology and background art relevant to inventions • Scheduling and conducting interviews with inventors • Preparing comprehensive disclosure documents with draft claims • Coordinating follow up and review of draft patent applications between outside counsel and inventors • Willing to relocate to Bangalore, India
