RE: [PIUG List] Summary: requirements for becoming a professional patent searcher

Dear Bob & Martin
 
This is interesting. I have an MSc in Information Science which is the UK =
equivalent I believe, to an MLS, and in a global patent analysis team of 15=
 within a large oil company, I am the only information qualified one! Perh=
aps the requirement is only with the US patent search community?
 
Regards
Susan Bates
Email: susanebates_at_hotmail.com> Date: Mon, 1 Sep 2008 15:05:33 -0400> From:=
 buntrock16_at_verizon.net> Subject: Re: [PIUG List] Summary: requirements for=
 becoming a professional patent searcher> To: piug_discussion_list_at_v2.listb=
ox.com> > Good work Martin. I'm looking forward to the "evolution" of this =
project.> > I do have a couple of comments.> > It's been my observation tha=
t a MLS/MLIS degree is less often listed in the > job requirements for a pa=
tent searcher position as opposed to, e.g., a > position involving a broade=
r scope of subject matter and resources, > especially in academia. However,=
 I've been told that many HR departments in > larger firms make an MLS/MLIS=
 a requirement to demonstrate searching > experience for those really new t=
o the field. For any searcher position, > prior searching experience often =
carries equal or even more weight than the > degree.> > Not only do patent =
agents often become professional searchers but > professional searchers oft=
en make the effort to become patent agents (and > often continue to be prof=
essional searchers).> > Professional Liability Insurance ("Omissions and Er=
rors") may be a good idea > if one can get the appropriate coverage for som=
ething other than a king's > ransom. I've been informed that the opportunit=
ies are much better than they > were 13 years ago (when I was becoming a pr=
ofessional searcher). For > example, the ACS has reinstituted availability =
of professional liability > insurance although I've seen no evaluations or =
comparisons. At a minimum, > the new searcher should incorporate in some fa=
shion (LLC, S Corporation, > etc.) and of course, keep a separate set of bo=
oks. For both functions, the > engagement of a good accountant is usually s=
ufficient and the advice of an > attorney may not be necessary.> > -- Bob B=
untrock> Buntrock Associates> Orono, ME> > ----- Original Message ----- > F=
rom: "Martin Wallace" <Martin_Wallace_at_umit.maine.edu>> To: "PIUG Discussion=
 List @ Listbox" <piug_discussion_list_at_v2.listbox.com>> Sent: Thursday, Aug=
ust 28, 2008 9:55 AM> Subject: [PIUG List] Summary: requirements for becomi=
ng a professional > patent searcher> > > > Dear PIUG:> >> > The following i=
s a summary of responses to an inquiry that I made to the > > PIUG discussi=
on email earlier this August. This summary is intended to > > provide infor=
mation to newer information professionals with an interest in > > patent in=
formation and who are> > considering making patent information a major part=
 of their career.> >> > * Currently there are no concrete requirements, lic=
enses or certifications > > for becoming a professional patent searcher. Th=
is may change over the next > > few years.> > * It helps to have a degree i=
n library/information science and a bachelors > > or advanced degree in the=
 technical area appropriate to the type of patent > > searching you're inte=
rested in (usually mechanical, electrical, or > > chemical engineering).> >=
 * For chemical and biochemical searching, it helps to have a masters or > =
> PhD in the subject area, but this is not usually the case for mechanical =
> > and electrical.> > * Some patent agents later become professional searc=
hers. Their knowledge > > of patent law is highly beneficial for helping cl=
ients evaluate patent > > information. However it is not a requirement for =
searchers to have been > > agents or to know patent law.> > * The informati=
on professional should enjoy reading patents, not merely > > tolerate worki=
ng with them.> > * Fluency in one or more of the following languages, besid=
es English is > > useful: German, Japanese, and Chinese; other languages ma=
y also be useful.> > * Searchers should seek legal indemnity insurance for =
their safety, but > > this is not required. Patent searchers being held leg=
ally liable for > > 'malpractice' is practically unheard of (one respondent=
 pointed out one > > case where a searcher was sued for> > overlooking a ve=
ry obvious piece of prior art)> >> > Several responses to my inquiry were t=
o inform me of specialized training > > programs available for those intere=
sted in becoming professional patent > > searchers. These seem to range fro=
m programs for the beginner with little > > or no knowledge of patent> > in=
formation to advanced seminars for continuing education.> >> > This and mor=
e, including a few of the more detailed responses I received, > > are poste=
d on the PIUG wiki, but I don't think Tom is ready to unveil the > > wiki y=
et. Once it is available for public view, I will post a link to my > > page=
, and I'll start another> > page listing the training opportunities mention=
ed above.> >> > Thanks,> >> > Martin Wallace, Librarian> > Science & Engine=
ering Center> > Raymond H. Fogler Library> > University of Maine> > Orono, =
ME 04469> > 207-581-1678> > fax: 207-581-1653> > martin.wallace_at_umit.maine.=
edu> > http://www.library.umaine.edu/staff/wallace.htm> >> >> >> >> > -----=
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Received on Tue Sep 02 2008 - 19:39:53