How Much Do Patent Examiners Make?

How many hours do patent examiners work?

Patent examiners have very flexible hours. They’re allowed to work times of their choosing, between 5:30am and 10:00pm, Monday through Saturday. They must work at least four days per week and no more than 12 hours per day .

Can patent examiners work from home?

The estimated 5,000 patent examiners who work from home full time must now be available electronically when they are on duty, among other changes, Margaret Focarino, commissioner for patents at the USPTO, said in testimony prepared for a hearing. ...

Where do patent examiners work?

Patent examiners typically focus on one area or industry, such as mechanical engineering or pharmaceuticals. All patent examiner jobs are with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) , a part of the Federal government.

What degree do you need to be a patent examiner?

Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in engineering or science . Successful completion of a full 4-year course at an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor’s degree, or higher, that included a major field of study, or specific course requirements, in a variety of engineering and science disciplines.

What is a poor man’s patent?

The theory behind the “poor man’s patent” is that, by describing your invention in writing and mailing that documentation to yourself in a sealed envelope via certified mail (or other proof-of-delivery mail), the sealed envelope and its contents could be used against others to establish the date that the invention was ...

Is being a patent examiner hard?

Like patent attorneys, patent agents help inventors acquire patents, but they differ from attorneys in that they don’t represent clients in patent lawsuits. I was thrilled to get her insight into the process as a whole. She’s experienced it from so many sides, after all. ... Being a patent examiner is a really tough job .

What are the 3 types of patents?

The three types of patents are utility patents, design patents, and plant patents . A utility patents protect the function of a composition, machine, or process.

Do you need a law degree to be a patent examiner?

The career does not require a law degree . Prosecutors write and process applications for patents that are submitted to the Patent and Trademark Office that grants patents.

How many patent examiners are there?

While the agency has noticeably grown in recent years, the rate of growth was far slower in fiscal 2009 than in the recent past; this is borne out by data from fiscal 2005 to the present: As of the end of FY 2018, the USPTO was composed of 12,579 federal employees, including 8,185 patent examiners , 579 trademark ...

Is patent examiner a good job?

39 Patent Examiner Reviews. Patent Examiners give their job an average rating of 3.8 out of 5.0 . The Patent Examiners happiest with their jobs are employed by United States Patent & Trademark Office with an average rating of 3.5.

What does a patent clerk do?

Summary. Patent agents

Does poor man patent really work?

Answer: The short answer is that the “poor man’s patent” is largely a myth . ... The clear appeal of the “poor man’s patent” is that mailing yourself written documentation is much easier and considerably less costly than preparing, filing and prosecuting an actual patent application.

Can I get a patent for free?

Is it possible to obtain a patent for free? Only under limited circumstances , which are laid out in Section 708.01, List of Special Cases, in the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure (MPEP). If your concept fits, you will need to prepare a statement of facts to justify special consideration for a fee waiver.

How do I protect my idea without a patent?

If you determine that the invention is probably not patentable, the most effective way to protect yourself is to have prospective licensees sign a nondisclosure agreement