M E M O R A N D U M

TO: KATHERINE A. GREENWOOD, JD, CPCC

FROM: CAROL BROCKMAN

SUBJECT: PARALEGAL SPECIALTY—INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LAW

DATE: 4/27/2007

Per your request, I have researched a specific area of law in which a paralegal might practice his or her

skills. The area I haven chosen is intellectual property (IP) law. In this memo, I will provide an explanation

of IP law followed by information on a paralegal’s assignments and skills, IP employers, and career

outlook. I will conclude with my final thoughts on being an IP paralegal and available resources.

Explanation of IP Law

The book Paralegal Career Starter presents what I found to be one of the better definitions of IP law:

“The practice area of intellectual property involves protecting the creations, ideas, and inventions of people

and businesses.”1 The gist of IP law is to establish who has the right to profit from a person’s intellectual

efforts. “All forms of intellectual property are assets that can be sold, licensed, exchanged, or given away

like real and personal property.”2 IP law works under “the assumption that an idea itself cannot be

protected…[For example in the case of a book, the] intellectual property is the organization, choice of

words, and detail that the author brings to a work.”3

In the IP arena, a paralegal may work specifically on cases or projects regarding copyrights, patents,

trademarks, trade secrets, and moral rights. Copyrights protect creative works (e.g., novels, drawings,

scores, and software). Patents protect inventions and discoveries. Securing patents is more complex than

filing for copyrights, and patent law has its own bar and court system. Trademarks protect brand names

(e.g., Kleenex and Rollerblades) and symbols associated with specific products and services. This

subdivision of IP law is about protecting product identity rather than the product idea itself. Laws

1 Southard and Starkey, p. 17. 2 Echaore-McDavid, p. 20.

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surrounding trade secrets involve protecting the formulas, devices, and strategies that a company may

develop to make its business thrive among competitors. Laws regarding moral rights focus on protecting

“the integrity of artwork,” meaning preventing the ability of another to alter or destroy a work created by

the original artist.4 (Moral rights law is more prominent in the European legal systems, but it is gaining

ground in the United States.)

Assignments

The tasks assigned to a paralegal when working on copyright and patent cases seem to take place in

three phases: (1) the application process, (2) marketing research, and (3) infringement defense. In phase 1,

the paralegal helps the client register for a copyright or apply for a patent by completing the necessary

paperwork, applications, and research. The paralegal must also gather together the proper data about and

samples of the work needing copyright protection or describe the invention needing a patent by collecting

any designs, diagrams, notes, or other items. Any applications for protection in foreign nations are also

completed by the paralegal as well as research into existing copyrights, patents, and applicable laws. Once

the approved registration for copyright or certification for patent arrives, the paralegal reviews it to ensure

it is accurate. In phase 2, the paralegal identifies potential users and licensees of the work or invention and

then helps to draw up appropriate contracts. In phase 3, the paralegal investigates works or products that

may violate the approved copyright or patent. When evidence of infringement arises, the paralegal helps the

attorney prepare for litigation.

For trademark cases, only phases 1 and 3 apply; there is no need to conduct research into who would

license a brand identity because such an asset would be used only by the individual applying for protection.

Necessary Skills

A paralegal in IP law needs the same skills as any paralegal. But it may benefit an IP paralegal to

develop strong research skills and a strong knowledge of litigation. Litigation is quite common in IP law.

3 Munneke, p. 117. 4 Munneke, p. 121.

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And like IP lawyers, it may be helpful if an IP paralegal has knowledge beyond the law in areas such as the

sciences, publishing, art, or music.

Employers

Although IP law often brings to mind copyrights, authors, and the publishing industry, the emergence

and fast-paced growth of the computer, software, and technology industries now serve as the primary forces

fueling IP law’s growth. But IP law plays a part in a number of other industries: film, television, music,

mining, biochemistry, biotechnics, medicine, pharmaceuticals, chemical, and healthcare technology.

Businesses within each of these industries could be potential employers of IP paralegals who would assist

in-house or outsourced legal counsel. Of course, IP paralegals might also find work within a law firm, a

government agency such as the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, or an educational institution. Some IP

paralegals have found success as independent contractors doing the research needed for the application

process and infringement investigations.

Career Outlook

Because of the complex work related to IP law and the strong growth in this area of law, IP law

appears to be one of the better paying areas for a paralegal. In the late 1990s, 14 percent of unspecialized

paralegals spent more than 40 percent of their time working on IP issues.5 A 1998-1999 salary survey,

conducted by Legal Assistant Today, showed IP paralegals to be the highest paid specialty area averaging

$44,436.6

Conclusion

Because of my experience in publishing, I have a strong interest in pursuing a position in IP law. I

believe my love of research, publishing knowledge, and interest in marketing would make me a good IP

paralegal candidate. Thanks to this assignment, I am now aware of the role that litigation plays in IP law

and I can adjust my paralegal education accordingly to include as much study as possible in litigation. My

5 Schneeman, p. 77. 6 Schneeman, p. 121.

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only concern is that employers of IP paralegals may be more inclined to consider candidates with a

computer or science background before those of us with a liberal arts background. A good bet for me may

be seeking employment within a publishing house or marketing agency.

5

Resources

American Bar Association Section of Intellectual Property Law. www.abanet.org/intelprop.

Echaore-McDavid, Susan. Career Opportunities in Law and the Legal Industry. New York, NY: Ferguson,

2002.

Estrin, Chere B. Paralegal Career Guide. 3rd ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, 2002.

Fins, Alice. Opportunities in Paralegal Careers. Chicago, IL: McGraw-Hill, 2005.

“Intellectual Property.” National Federation of Paralegal Associations, Inc. Available at www.paralegals

.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=286. Accessed: January 23, 2007.

Intellectual Property Law Server. www.intelproplaw.com.

Jeffryes, Patricia and West, Peggy. “Intellectual Property Paralegals.” Colorado Bar Association. Available

at www.cobar.org/group/display.cfm?GenID=136. Accessed: January 23, 2007.

Munneke, Gary A. Careers in Law. 3rd ed. Chicago, IL: McGraw-Hill, 2004.

Sadewasser, David. Transcript of Sadewasser presentation at Biology Career Day. Careers in Biology.

Available at www.mcb.arizona.edu/careers/sadewasser.html. Accessed: January 23, 2007.

Schneeman, Angela. Paralegal Careers. Albany, NY: West Legal Studies, 2000.

Southard, Jo Lynn and Starkey, Lauren B. Paralegal Career Starter. 2nd ed. New York, NY:

LearningExpress, LLC, 2002.

Statsky, William P. Introduction to Paralegalism: Perspectives, Problems, and Skills. 6th ed. Clifton Park,

NY: Delmar Learning, 2003.

U.S. Copyright Office. www.loc.gov/copyright.

U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. www.uspto.gov.

Volkert, Charles A. “Hiring, Compensation Outlook Promising for Paralegals.” National Federation of

Paralegal Associations, Inc. October 2005. Available at www.paralegals.org/displaycommon.cfm?an

=1&subarticlenbr=707. Accessed: January 23, 2007.