An Intellectual property license agreement is actually a contract drawn up by an attorney, which guarantees one party's right to sell an intellectual property or to allow its use and the other.
Individuals can be engaged in intellectual property licensing jobs on many levels but the most common intellectual property licensing work is done by an attorney who specializes in intellectual property licensing. The owner of an intellectual property such as a particular piece of music or a software or a book, or a even a digital piece of artwork has the right to license its use in return for compensation and that is the aspect of intellectual property that licensing deals with.
An intellectual property manager might be involved in making payments for intellectual property licenses on a regular basis but an intellectual property license agreement requires the skills of specialized and attorney who understands intellectual property licensing agreements and can modify or advise the client. There are many facets to this position such as advising which properties can be used by a client because they are not protected by the intellectual property laws or what modifications a particular license agreement allows. They may also draw up the contracts and the intellectual property licensing agreements to ensure equitable compensation for their clients.
Requirements for most intellectual property licensing work is law school and passing the state bar examine to obtain a valid license to practice law. Also a specialization in patent laws, copyright laws or and intellectual property licensing is helpful. It is of course critical in this time of change that an intellectual property-licensing attorney keep up to date on the evolving laws and views on intellectual property licensing. This is a time of change as regards the intellectual property laws and most companies understand the professional is necessary to their continued growth and protection. An attorney who is licensed but has not specialized in patent laws or intellectual property licensing laws may only have to take a few courses in order to be competitive and competent.
Many companies have such heavy investments in intellectual property licensing that they employ attorneys from intellectual property licensing firms who specialize in these types of contracts.
It is wise if an attorney is able to intern with a patent attorney or intellectual property-licensing firm or any law firm engaged in intellectual property licensing work. This gives practical experience for the attorney's resume and contacts within the industry as well as a feel for the clients and current issues.
Joining an intellectual property association is also helpful in that it will keep the graduate in touch with changes in licensing laws and intellectual property licensing practices and offer ongoing educational credits that may be required to keep licensing current.
Recent graduates with a specialization in patents or intellectual property licensing may choose to accept employment with an established firm dealing in intellectual property licensing and consultation. This can give the new patent attorney or intellectual property attorney a foot in the door. Larger corporations will often employ such firms as they have sometimes millions of dollars invested in intellectual property or the use of intellectual property.
This is not an area of law that the general attorney is usually qualified for or comfortable in handling. A person interested in intellectual property licensing jobs can also in this digital age look online at technology firms who may employ their own in-house intellectual property licensing professionals or can search online from a wider range of jobs and possibilities for professionals.
Licensed attorneys and individuals with certifications in intellectual property licensing work should be prepared to produce copies of their certifications and licenses and keep their transcripts available. Websites that deal with intellectual property licensing jobs exclusively will see a more targeted group of job seekers as well as potential employers. An individual qualified to work with intellectual property licensing agreements may well end up having to choose between employers and locations because this is a highly demanding profession and the qualified individual for this type of work is less common than the demand for them.
- See Top 10 Reasons Most Law Firms Have No Idea How to Hire and Evaluate Patent Attorneys for more information.
