<p>I've always been interested in science but am starting to think that I don't want a career that is strictly science. I like history, but AP US bores me a little. Then again, it's pretty light on the judicial aspect and my teacher sucks XD. Could patent law be right for me? I know it's a bit early for this but I want to either double major in chemistry and history or major in chemistry and minor in history (not sure if you can still get into law school with that but either way I'd be a Type A applicant... I think. I know engineering definitely is). Can you tell me a little bit more about patent law? All I know is that it deals with patents for inventions and that the average starting salary is a LOT! Are there any patent lawyers/aspiring patent lawyers here on CC?</p>
<p>First of all, a chemistry major will actually prepare you pretty well for law school. Science majors tend to score the best on the LSAT and the methodological skills you pick up in your studies will serve you well. (As for a double major in history, while history is a popular major for law school applicants, obtaining a double major in two such unrelated fields will be difficult and will leave you with little room in your schedule to explore other areas of interest). Anyway, the study of patent law covers a very diverse field of topics. In law school, you will want to take courses in Intellectual Property, Copyright Law, and Patent Litigation, among others. The practice of patent law can focus on many fields, as well. First, patent lawyers help draft patent applications and assist their clients in maneuvering through the bureaucracies of the US Patent Office. Second, you could be called to represent your client in a civil suit if someone tries to infringe on his/her patent, in which case you will need to demonstrate proficiency in civil action (proving the infringement) and in defending the legitimacy of the patent license. Third, patent lawyers often draft patent licenses that allow companies or individuals to use or produce the client’s patented design. Finally, there is a trend towards globalization of patent laws, so proficiency in international law will also be expected of patent lawyers in the future - most likely the WTO will oversee international patent licenses, so work with that organization may become commonplace.</p>
<p>That actually sounds pretty cool! maybe chinese will be better than history for patent law XD (that was a semi-joke, semi-not… i’ve wanted to learn chinese for a while but I know it would be REALLY hard)</p>
<p>Thank you for the very detailed response by the way :D</p>
<p>i am not sure a chemistry major will be the best setup for patent law. they usually hire engineering degree holders, particularly electrical engineering. </p>
<p>you should consult a patent-law expert on the marketability of a chem major in the field, as major matters a lot.</p>
<p>Undergraduate major matter little to none. I’ve seen bio, chem, phsyics, and engineering majors all do fine, right along side people with absolutely no background in science.</p>
<p>Different employers hire patent attorneys with different technical backgrounds. Chemistry majors are emplyed by chemical companies, pharmaceutical companies, universities and other e mployers. Engineers are hired by companies in other fields.</p>
<p>International law is not relevant to worldwode patent law.</p>
<p>In any event, as you can read in my pinned thread at the top of this board, inasmuch as you are a high school student I do not recommend that you seriously consider patent law at this time, though if course you can be interested in it. Your function now is to decide (at least for the beginning) whether or not to take a science major in college. Students in other subjects can defer choosing a major until the end of their sophomore year but science and engi nering majors need toi start a prescribed set of coursework immediately.</p>
<p>To briefly summarize one of my posts, you need to major in what you like to study. Choosing a major on the basis of what would be best for patent law can result in your going through four miserable years studying a subject you don’t like.</p>
<p>Please read my pinned thread at the top of this board for more information.</p>
<p>rainbowrose, I’m a patent lawyer and I think you’ve gotten a lot of excellent advice on this page. The best is: “To briefly summarize one of my posts, you need to major in what you like to study. Choosing a major on the basis of what would be best for patent law can result in your going through four miserable years studying a subject you don’t like.”</p>
<p>Whatever the subject area… if you don’t love it, the good grades won’t come as easily as they will if you are PASSIONATE about the subject. Study what you love most, and the good stuff (great grades, glowing recommendations, acceptance letters, connections in a field you love, money) will all come your way more easily.</p>