U.S. Patent Bar Review Course

Who

The Geissler & Associates "U.S. Patent Bar Review Course" is designed for engineers, scientists, lawyers and other professionals preparing to pass the U.S. Patent Bar.

When

The Geissler & Associates "U.S. Patent Bar Review Course" is offered three times a year, once each in April, May and November. Each course is two-weeks in duration.

Where

The Geissler & Associates "U.S. Patent Bar Review Course" is held in Room 1, the third-floor conference center in Saint Margaret's Parish House, 1830 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., Washington D.C.

Faculty

Dr. Geissler is an accomplished scholar in the field of patents and trademarks and has degrees from Stanford, Yale and Cambridge Universities. Dr. Geissler was a research scientist and lecturer at the University of California (Davis, Berkeley and Irvine) for twenty years and served as Dean and Chancellor of universities abroad.

Dr. Geissler's tutorial students at the University of Cambridge have described his teaching style as "brilliant" and "highly effective".

Course

The Geissler & Associates "U.S. Patent Bar Review Course" is an intense learning experience consisting of patent law tutorials each morning, followed by careful analysis of actual U.S. Patent Bar test questions each afternoon.

Each morning, Dr. Geissler conducts a Cambridge-style highly interactive tutorial that draws each student into a dialogue about U.S. patent law and practice. These sessions are intended to clarify the intent and true meaning of U.S. patent law (so-called "black letter law"). The tutorials examine public-policy implications and procedural issues of the law only insofar as they relate to actual patent prosecution and patent practice that are likely to be encountered on the U.S. Patent Bar.

Each afternoon, Dr. Geissler, together with the students, analyzes actual test questions that have been encountered on prior U.S. Patent Bar examinations. Our analysis starts with a careful reading of the facts provided, followed by legal issue spotting. Then, we review and apply the rule of law to the particular set of facts, leading to the conclusion.

Course
Schedule

The Geissler & Associates "U.S. Patent Bar Review Course" is an intense learning experience. Workshops are two weeks in duration; they commence on the second Monday of the month, and are held Monday through Friday 8:30 - 5:30.

The daily schedule, Monday through Friday, is as follows.

Limited
Enrollment

Due to the highly interactive format of the tutorial sessions, enrollment is limited to a maximum of twenty-four students. A minimum enrollment of twelve students is required; the average enrollment is eighteen students.

English
Language

Owing to the intense pace of the tutorial sessions, enrollment is generally limited to students with excellent English-language skills.

Upon special request, three- or four-week sessions may be organized for groups of foreign students using English as a second language, utilizing a slower pace of instruction, yet providing complete U.S. Patent Bar preparation. Tuition fees shall be adjusted upwards, accordingly.

Educational
Materials

A CD-ROM of test questions is given to each student, organized by topic and section of 35 U.S.C., 37 C.F.R., and Manual of Patent Examining Procedure (MPEP). This organization facilitates the student's recognition of fact patterns, the identification of the legal principles involved, and how to analyze each type of question rapidly.

An annotated MPEP (loose-leaf notebook) is given to each student that has important sections highlighted. This is a valuable aid for rapid reference.

A Workshop Notebook is given to each student that includes Dr. Geissler's lecture notes and class outlines.

Practice tests are provided each day, covering only those portions of 35 U.S.C., 37 C.F.R., and the MPEP that have been thoroughly discussed and learned that day.

Guarantee

Students who have completed the Geissler & Associates "U.S. Patent Bar Review Course" may attend an additional two-week session at no additional charge providing they show proof of having attempted the U.S. Patent Bar.

Applications

To obtain an application, contact Mr. Stuart Seymour, the course registrar, as follows:

Application
Procedure

Prospective students are requested to indicate their first- and second-choice for available dates to attend the workshop. Every effort shall be made to accommodate the student's preference.

Prospective students are requested to provide (unofficial) transcripts and curriculum vitae. Every effort shall be made to group students with commensurate educational backgrounds and knowledge.

Application
Fee

An application fee of $200 is requested to pay for administrative costs. Please make checks payable to "Geissler & Associates".

Matriculation
Fee

A matriculation fee of $500 holds the prospective student's place in the session. The matriculation fee is non-refundable.

Registration
Fee

Payment of the tuition fee of $4,800 ($2,400 for students who wish to enroll in the morning lecture sessions only) is required for registration.

Payment must be received thirty days prior to the session, otherwise, the student's enrollment shall be offered to another prospective student and the matriculation fee shall be forfeited.

Schedule
of Fees

Refunds

Students who withdraw from the course within the first week may request a partial refund. A pro-rata refund of tuition shall be made within thirty days.

Application fees, matriculation fees, and the cost of educational materials cannot be refunded.

Students who receive scholarships or travel grants are not permitted refunds in the event of their withdrawal from the program.

Support
Services

Geissler & Associates staff is available throughout the workshop sessions for student assistance. The Geissler & Associates administrative office, Room 3, is located adjacent to the third-floor conference center in Saint Margaret's Parish House, 1830 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., Washington D.C. Office hours are 8:30 - 6:30 Monday through Friday during the workshop sessions.

Tutorial
Support

Mr. Seymour, the course registrar, is experienced in all aspects of patent prosecution and is likely to be helpful in interpreting patent law and analyzing test questions.

Mr. Stuart Seymour's office, Room 3, is located adjacent to the third-floor conference center in Saint Margaret's Parish House, 1830 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., Washington D.C. Mr. Seymour is available for individual tutorials during the noon recess and 5:30 - 6:30 Monday through Friday following the workshop sessions.

Housing

Geissler & Associates staff would be pleased to assist prospective students with housing arrangements. However, this assistance is in the form of providing prospective students with up-to-date lists of housing options in the greater Washington D.C. area and telephone, facsimile and Internet contact information.

Visas

Geissler & Associates staff would be pleased to assist prospective students from abroad with required visas for international travel. Please allow ninety days for the issuance of visas.

Scholarships

Limited scholarship funds are available for outstanding students. Scholarships are awarded on the basis of merit, namely, on the likelihood of the student's future success in the field of patent prosecution. Scholarship funds are not granted on the basis of financial need.

Travel Grants

International students from Japan, India, China, and the European Union are eligible to apply for $1,200 travel grants to be applied towards air travel. Please allow ninety days for such arrangements.

Certificate

Following completion of the Geissler & Associates "U.S. Patent Bar Review Course" each student shall receive a "Certificate in U.S. Patent Law". Allow ninety day for printing and handling.

History

This tutorial series has its origins in the 1990's at the University of Cambridge where Dr. Geissler tutored European law students in the idiosyncratic "First to Invent" American patent system.

In 2000, Dr. Geissler revived the tutorial series in Washington D.C. for prospective employees of Geissler & Associates, the patents and trademarks consulting firm.

Following several years with an enviable 100% passing rate on the U.S. Patent Bar, many encouraged Dr. Geissler to offer this course to the ever-growing population of highly-trained engineers, scientists, lawyers and other professionals who prepare to sit the U.S. patent Bar. These exceptional candidates have chosen to embark on a uniquely demanding and exciting career that combines scientific training, a deep understanding of technology, and a working knowledge of a very specialized part of the law.

This course is dedicated to their success.