colorado.edu/law/msl/

MASTER OF STUDIES IN LAW

PATENT LAW

MASTER OF STUDIES IN LAW

Colorado Law’s Master of Studies in Law (MSL) degree is a one-year, 28-credit program that enables students who hold at least an undergrad-uate degree to obtain legal training short of a full JD. Increasingly, emerg-ing job markets have openings that require some legal knowledge and employers are assigning a number of legal tasks traditionally performed by lawyers to non-lawyers. Colorado Law’s MSL will prepare students to obtain and excel in those positions.

All MSL students will take two courses designed specifically for MSL stu-dents—one that introduces them to the American legal system, and one that introduces them to legal research, writing, and analysis. In addition to those introductory courses, MSL students will take required and elective courses, alongside JD students, relevant to their specialty track.

MSL – PATENT LAW

Shifts in the economy, coupled with recent developments in patent law, mean that there is a growing demand for employees who help companies protect their valuable ideas and products by securing patents. This role is increasingly being filled by patent agents. The patent agent career allows individuals with engineering and science backgrounds to pursue an inter-esting and in-demand career practicing patent prosecution, representing inventors and innovators in the patent drafting, submission, and eventual patent issuance process.

Upon completion of the MSL – Patent Law degree, students will be pre-pared to sit for the USPTO Patent Bar Exam.

SAMPLE CURRICULUMSUBJECT TO CHANGE

FAQWhat is a patent agent?A patent agent is a non-lawyer who has passed the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s (USPTO) Patent Bar Exam, and is registered with the USPTO to prepare, file, and prosecute patent applications on behalf of his or her clients. The USPTO requires patent agents to possess a background in either science or engineering before taking the Patent Bar Exam.

Why should I get an MSL if I want to be a patent agent?In addition to helping you prepare for the Patent Bar, Colorado Law’s MSL in Patent Law will give you a strong foundation in U.S. law and legal research, writing and analysis. Moreover, your required and elective courses will be taken alongside JD students and will better prepare you to work in a wide variety of settings—legal and otherwise.

What is the difference between a patent attorney and a patent agent?A patent attorney has spent three years in law school earning a JD degree and has passed at least one state bar exam and the USPTO’s Patent Bar. In addition to practice at the USPTO, a patent attorney can practice law outside of the USPTO. A patent agent often comes to the legal field with significantly more technical education in either science or engineering. Although a patent agent practices only patent law at the USPTO, because of their technical expertise, and qualification to practice before the USPTO’s Patent Office, many law firms and legal departments hire patent agents instead of patent attorneys.

Where do patent agents work, and how much money do they make?In today’s economy that is heavily focused on innovation and technological advances, patent agents have a number of job opportunities. Both law firms and corporate legal departments hire patent agents, who can also practice independently. Patent agents can also work as patent examiners at the USPTO, as technology transfer professionals, technical experts in general counsels’ offices and in many other capacities.

The American Intellectual Property Lawyers Associations’ “Report of the Economic Survey 2013” indicates that the average income for a patent agent at a private firm, who had less than 5 years of experience, was $92,250, with a 1st to 3rd quartile range of $55,500 to $126,250.

AugustIntroduction to U.S. Law

Fall SemesterLegal Writing and Analysis for Non-JD Students Introduction to Intellectual Property LawPatent LawPatent SearchingElective

WintersessionEthics in Patent Practice

Spring SemesterPatent LitigationLegal Writing and Analysis for Non-JD StudentsIntellectual Property Counseling and ProsecutionExternship with PTO or TTOPatent Drafting & Office Action Responses

LAW SCHOOL401 UCBBoulder, CO 80309

MSL in Patent Law: APPLY NOW: colorado.edu/law/msl

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