How is patent work different from other areas of law?

A patent attorney (or agent) is not a lawyer, despite the title and the fact that the career does involve a thorough knowledge of intellectual property law. Patent work requires legal knowledge only of the specialist area of intellectual property (IP), and it’s the only area in which agents can work. Recent changes in the law mean that patent agents are now qualified to act in cases of litigation in the Patents County Court. Some agents acquire further qualifications so they can act in the High Court as well. It is possible for solicitors and barristers to work in IP law without needing to take the Chartered Institute of Patent Agents (CIPA) examinations needed by patent agents. Solicitors can specialise in IP, advising clients on how to protect and structure rights. Firms that specialise in IP sometimes train solicitors to become patent agents as well. Barristers can choose to specialise in IP at the Patent Bar, particularly if they have a scientific or technical background. It is not necessary, however, to have the in-depth knowledge required to be a patent agent. Clients for both solicitors and barristers can range from multinational companies to individual inventors.