Author Archives: Karen

End-of-semester presentations

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It’s now exam week, and our MSPL students are mostly done with their end-of-semester presentations. These presentations are a major checkpoint in the program, in which MSPL students defend what they’ve accomplished so far.

For fall semester, our students’ end goal is to write a set of patentable claims. To do that, they learn about a completely new technology from a faculty inventor here at Notre Dame. Then they perform a patentability search in PATL 60111 (taught by Ron Kaminecki this year). Finally, they craft a claimset in their Capstone classes (PATL 60301, which I teach). These tasks are all things patent agents do on a daily basis — and are not easy tasks, for sure!

Our students turn in the results of all of this work in a single document, and then put together a set of slides that they use to give a talk describing their findings. The students present to me, the faculty inventor, and the representative from Notre Dame’s Office of Technology Transfer who handles that technology.

As I said at the top, almost everyone has finished their presentations by now — and everyone has done a fantastic job! It’s been very exciting to watch everyone grow and learn SO MUCH over the course of a single semester. Congratulations to everyone!

Chicago space launch party!

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At the end of November, the Law School officially launched the new Chicago space. We hosted about 200 Chicago-area legal professionals. Of especial interest to the MSPL, several of last year’s patent attorney mentors joined us, as well as some new friends.

Keith Jarosik and Mark Galis from Greenberg Traurig were there. Keith mentored a MSPL student. Also, Tom Donovan — another of our mentors– was there, pictured below with David Murphy (director of the ESTEEM program here at Notre Dame) and Sunny Shah (also from ESTEEM).

A more recent acquaintance who was in attendance was Brian Goddard, who is at Cardinal IP. Also Barry Irwin, who is a patent litigator, and an old friend, was at the Launch Party, with his wife Ursula.

Chicago launch 2Chicago launch 1Chicago launch 3

Last Football Friday for the Fall semester

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Our last guest for the MS in Patent Law’s Football Friday lecture series this semester was Michael Sartori, PhD – chair of the patent prosecution practice at Venable LLP. Michael is a triple domer (BS, MS and PhD)… although he decided to go elsewhere for his JD.

Michael talked to MS in Patent Law students about things to consider to create a successful career in patent prosecution. Among the pointers he provided: as a new patent agent, make sure you get to work on all of patent application drafting, patent prosecution and patent litigation; and make sure that your firm has processes in place for providing a quality product to its clients — which requires knowing how to serve the clients you work for.

Michael has been a big supporter of the MS in Patent Law, from before it was ever officially created, in fact. Thanks for coming to visit and talk to our prospective patent agents, Michael!

Karen, MS in Patent Law student Josh, and Michael

Karen, MS in Patent Law student Josh, and Michael

M Sartori 1

Becoming a patent agent

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One of the important credentials that the MS in Patent Law’s graduates want is to be able to call themselves “patent agents.” Do be able to use that title, one has to pass the US Patent Office’s Registration to Practice exam, colloquially known as the “patent bar.”

About midway through each fall semester, we provide our students with a study aid, so they are more likely to pass the exam. Like for the GRE or LSAT, there are companies that provide study guides for the patent bar. We partner with PLI (the Practicing Law Institute, a not-for-profit organization) to give our students a solid study guide. This year, we were thrilled to be able to host Mark Dighton from PLI, who came to campus to talk specifically to MS in Patent Law students about the PLI course that they’ve gotten and how to study for the patent bar.

Mark, Rose, Travis, Joseph and Elaine -- and the PLI courses in the boxes!

Mark, Rose, Travis, Joseph and Elaine — and the PLI courses in the boxes!

Mark’s talk was really fantastic, and a good reality check about how hard the patent bar exam is. Thanks for coming, Mark!

Stuff-a-Bus

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As I have written about before, the MSPL provides our students with opportunities to give back to the community (see here and here). This weekend we were at Stuff-a-Bus, which is the major annual food drive for South Bend’s Center for the Homeless. We were in three shifts, taking donations along with students from IU-South Bend. Luckily we got some great weather and LOTS of donations for such a great cause!

Elaine, Connor (from ESTEEM), Cathi and Marcy

Elaine, Connor (from ESTEEM), Cathi and Marcy

Near the end of the day, the bus was indeed pretty well stuffed!!

Near the end of the day, the bus was indeed pretty well stuffed!!

 

 

 

MS in Patent Law at Carnegie Mellon University

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Notre Dame’s MS in Patent Law (MSPL) prepares scientists and engineers to help inventors get patents.

A representative from the MSPL will be at Carnegie Mellon University on Tuesday, November 19, to give a presentation about careers in patent law.  The panel discussion will begin at 4:30pm and run until 5:30pm in Rangos 3 at the University Center. Come learn about careers in patent law and the MSPL from Dr. Karen Deak (Director of the MS in Patent Law and a registered patent agent) and Lester Fortney, JD (Patent attorney in Pittsburgh at The Webb Law Firm).

Pizza and drinks will be provided! Come learn about career options over dinner!!

 

The MSPL is a one-academic-year program, at Notre Dame’s campus in South Bend, IN. We prepare our students for practice as patent agents, through a curriculum of hands-on, practical learning. Candidates must be Patent Bar eligible, which means they have a science or engineering background.

Patent agents usually work at law firms and at R&D-based companies, where they help inventors protect their inventions by getting patents. Many of our graduates, like Kerisha Bowen, have gone on to work at law firms in major metropolitan areas. Our graduates are in high demand at law firms across the country.

 

If the MS in Patent Law is an option for you, make sure your completed application* is submitted by December 15, 2013! All students who submit complete applications by that date, and who then join the MSPL’s 2014-2015 cohort, will receive a $2000 discount on their tuition!

Also, if you like our Facebook page, or follow us on Twitter, we’ll waive the $75 application fee.

 

We are also excited to announce that we are expanding our offerings and our locations to better serve more students! Starting in the 2014-2015 academic year, Notre Dame will offer a Certificate in Patent Prosecution at our Chicago campus.

 

If you or someone you know is interested in learning more about the MSPL or the Chicago Certificate program, please contact the program Director, Prof. Karen Deak.

Notre Dame’s MS in Patent Law at Penn State

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Notre Dame’s MS in Patent Law (MSPL) prepares scientists and engineers to help inventors get patents.

Representatives from the MSPL will be at The Pennsylvania State University on Nov. 15, 2013. Come learn about careers in patent law and the MSPL at an informal Lunch-and-Learn in 517 Thomas Building, 12:15-1pm.

 

The MSPL is a one-academic-year program, at Notre Dame’s campus in South Bend, IN. We prepare our students for practice as patent agents, through a curriculum of hands-on, practical learning. Candidates must be Patent Bar eligible, which means they have a science or engineering background.

Patent agents usually work at law firms and at R&D-based companies, where they help inventors protect their inventions by getting patents. Many of our graduates, like Kerisha Bowen, have gone on to work at law firms in major metropolitan areas. Our graduates are in high demand at law firms across the country.

 

If the MS in Patent Law is an option for you, make sure your completed application* is submitted by December 15, 2013! All students who submit complete applications by that date, and who then join the MSPL’s 2014-2015 cohort, will receive a $2000 discount on their tuition!

Also, if you like our Facebook page, or follow us on Twitter, we’ll waive the $75 application fee.

 

We are also excited to announce that we are expanding our offerings and our locations to better serve more students! Starting in the 2014-2015 academic year, Notre Dame will offer a Certificate in Patent Prosecution at our Chicago campus.

 

If you or someone you know is interested in learning more about the MSPL or the Chicago Certificate program, please contact the program Director, Prof. Karen Deak.

Crazy times at the MSPL

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Last week was a rough week for the MSPL. Mike Wack (PATL 60101- Patent Prosecution Law) got hit by a car on Thursday! Note that I didn’t say “Mike’s car got hit by a car,” … but rather, “Mike got hit by a car.” He’s doing well, but obviously we’re needing to make some adjustments to our teaching schedule. I’m taking Mike’s class on Monday, and will be lecturing on the changes to 35 USC 102 and 103 under the America Invents Act. I actually really like this topic, so, under the circumstances, I am happy to step in (although of course I’d rather that Mike hadn’t been hit by a car!).

Mike Wack, post-car

Additionally, Hal Milton (PATL 60201- Patent Application Drafting) had to have surgery on Friday. He refers to it as “preventative maintenance,” but any kind of surgery that has to do with blood flow and heart function seems serious enough to me. I hope he’s recovering well!

On a happier note, we’ll be holding an Open House at our Chicago center this Thursday, and hosting Mark Dighton from PLI on Friday. Mark is visiting campus because, every year, we provide our MSPL students with a patent bar exam review course. PLI is the vendor we’ve been using for these courses; last year we had at least four students pass the exam on their first try!

Notre Dame expands Patent Law offerings and locations

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Notre Dame’s MS in Patent Law (MSPL) prepares scientists and engineers to help inventors get patents.

The MSPL is a one-academic-year program, at Notre Dame’s campus in South Bend, IN. We prepare our students for practice as patent agents, through a curriculum of hands-on, practical learning. Candidates must be Patent Bar eligible, which means they have a science or engineering background.

If the MS in Patent Law is an option for you, make sure your completed application* is submitted by December 15, 2013! All students who submit complete applications by that date, and who then join the MSPL’s 2014-2015 cohort, will receive a $2000 discount on their tuition!

We are also excited to announce that we are expanding our offerings and our locations to better serve more students! Starting in the 2014-2015 academic year, Notre Dame will offer a Certificate in Patent Prosecution at our Chicago campus.

Notre Dame will continue to offer the MS in Patent Law at our campus in South Bend, IN.

Faculty from the Certificate and MS program will be available at both events, to talk with you about career options in patent law (have you ever heard of a patent agent?). Of course, food and beverages will be available at both events, too!

Chicago Open House

Date: November 7, 2013
Time: 5:30-7:00 PM Central time
Location: 224 S. Michigan Ave.*
Suite 250, Mezzanine Level
Chicago, IL

*224 S. Michigan is the building formerly known as the Santa Fe building, located right across the street from the Art Institute.

RSVP for the Chicago Open House here

Notre Dame Campus Open House

Date: November 11, 2013
Time: 6:00-7:00pm Eastern time
Location: Innovation Park*
1400 E. Angela Blvd.
South Bend, IN

*Across the street from the Compton Ice Arena

RSVP for the Notre Dame Campus Open House here

 

 

*Completed applications, for the purposes of consideration for the tuition discount, include informal transcripts, GRE/LSAT scores, and all required personal statements. (Previously this incorrectly stated that the tuition discount was not applicable to the Chicago certificate program; we regret the error.)