Table of Contents -- Intro & Summary

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1. INTRODUCTION 
2. DATA COLLECTION​  
   CHANGES TO THE SURVEY 
3. DESCRIPTION OF STATISTICS AND FORMATTING CONVENTIONS  
   RESPONDENT BACKGROUND​ 
4. IP BUDGET FOR CORPORATE PRACTITIONERS 
5. INCOME RECEIVED IN 2010 AND PROJECTED FOR 2011, BILLING RATES, AND BILLABLE HOURS 
6. SUMMARY OF SURVEY RESULTS BY PRACTICE TYPE 
1. SOLO PRACTITIONER​ 
2. PRIVATE FIRM, PARTNER 
3. PRIVATE FIRM, ASSOCIATE 
4. PRIVATE FIRM, OF COUNSEL  
5. HEAD OF CORPORATE IP DEPARTMENT 
6. CORPORATE IP DEPARTMENT, ATTORNEY 
7. PRIVATE FIRM, PATENT AGENT 
8. CORPORATE IP DEPARTMENT, PATENT AGENT​ 
7. TYPICAL CHARGES FOR IP LAW SERVICES​ 
8. TYPICAL COSTS OF LITIGATION 
9. CHARACTERISTICS OF FIRMS 
1. NUMBER AND TYPE OF ATTORNEYS​ 
2. ASSOCIATE STARTING SALARY AND SUMMER MONTHLY PAY 
3. SUPPORT STAFF AND SERVICES​ 
4. BILLING RATES AND PRACTICES 
5. LIABILITY INSUR​ANCE 

Table of Contents -- Individual & Firm Statistical Tables. Use the bookmarked table below to go directly to the table you'd like to view.

INDIVIDUAL DATA

All Respondents

• Background 
• Total Gross Income for 2010 (Q13)
• Employer's 2010 contribution to 401(k)/403(b) retirement and savings plans (Q14)
• Excluding 401(k)/403(b) retirement and savings plans, employer's 2010 contribution to all pension (defined benefit/defined contribution)/capital accumulation plans (Q15)
• Expected total cash income for 2011 (Q16)
• Non-cash income from the practice of law (Q17)
• Billable hours, Hours actually billed, Billing rate, Dollars billed (Q32, Q33, Q34, Q36)
• Percent of services in 2010 that ​were billed (or will be billed) by type of basis​ (Q35)

Solo Practitioner

• Background Information 
• Total Gross Income for 2010 (Q13)
• Employer's 2010 contribution to 401(k)/403(b) retirement and savings plans (Q14)
• Excluding 401(k)/403(b) retirement and savings plans, employer's 2010 contribution to all pension (defined benefit/defined contribution)/capital accumulation plans (Q15)
• Expected total cash income for 2011 (Q16)
• Non-cash income from the practice of law (Q17)
• Percent of time devoted to types of work, by Income Level (Q18)
• Percent of time devoted to IP areas, by Income Level (Q20)
• New priority US and PCT Patent applications prepared and filed in 2010 (Q23)
• Billable hours recorded in 2010 (Q32)
• Percent of billable hours actually billed to clients (hourly or any other basis) (Q33)
• Average hourly billing rate in 2010 (Q34)
• For the first 10 years of experience, billable hours recorded in 2010 (Q32)
• For the first 10 years of experience, average hourly billing rate in 2010 (Q34)
• Percent of services in 2010 that were billed (or will be billed) by type of basis (Q35)
• Dollar amount billed for l​egal services performed in 2010​ (Q36)

Private Firm, Partner

• Background Information 
• Total Gross Income for 2010 (Q13)
• Employer's 2010 contribution to 401(k)/403(b) retirement and savings plans (Q14)
• Excluding 401(k)/403(b) retirement and savings plans, employer's 2010 contribution to all pension (defined benefit/defined contribution)/capital accumulation plans​ (Q15)
• Expected total cash income for 2011 (Q16)
• Non-cash income from the practice of law (Q17)
• Percent of time devoted to types of work, by Income Level (Q18)
• Percent of time devoted to IP areas, by Income Level (Q20)
• Hours spent per month training new associates or in-house counsel (Q21)
• Full-time IP lawyers and patent agents at all locations (Q22)
• New priority US and PCT Patent applications prepared and filed in 2010 (Q23)
• Billable hours recorded in 2010 (Q32)
• Percent of billable hours actually billed to clients (hourly or any other basis) (Q33)
• Average hourly billing rate in 2010 (Q34)
• For the first 10 years of experience, billable hours recorded in 2010 (Q32)
• For the first 10 years of experience, average hourly billing rate in 2010 (Q34)
• Percent of services in 2010 that were billed (or will be billed) by type of basis (Q35)
• Dollar amount billed for legal​ services performed in 2010​ (Q36)

Private Firm, Associate

• Background Information 
• Total Gross Income for 2010 (Q13)
• Employer's 2010 contribution to 401(k)/403(b) retirement and savings plans (Q14)
• Excluding 401(k)/403(b) retirement and savings plans, employer's 2010 contribution to all pension (defined benefit/defined contribution)/capital accumulation plans (Q15)
• Expected total cash income for 2011 (Q16)
• Non-cash income from the practice of law (Q17)
• Percent of time devoted to types of work, by Income Level (Q18)
• Percent of time devoted to IP areas, by Income Level (Q20)
• Hours spent per month training new associates or in-house counsel (Q21)
• Full-time IP lawyers and patent agents at all locations (Q22)
• New priority US and PCT Patent applications prepared and filed in 2010 (Q23)
• For the first 10 years of experience, total gross income for 2010 (Q13)
• Billable hours recorded in 2010 (Q32)
• Percent of billable hours actually billed to clients (hourly or any other basis) (Q33)
• Average hourly billing rate in 2010 (Q34)
• For the first 10 years of experience, billable hours recorded in 2010 (Q32)
• For the first 10 years of experience, average hourly billing rate in 2010 (Q34)
• Percent of services in 2010 that were billed (or will be billed) by type of basis (Q35)
• Dollar amount billed for legal services performed in 2010 (Q36)

Private Firm, Of Counsel

Corporate IP Department, Head

• Background Information 
• Total Gross Income for 2010 (Q13)
• Total Gross Income for 2010 by Number of Subordinates (Q13)
• Employer's 2010 contribution to 401(k)/403(b) retirement and savings plans (Q14)
• Excluding 401(k)/403(b) retirement and savings plans, employer's 2010 contribution to all pension (defined benefit/defined contribution)/capital accumulation plans (Q15)
• Expected total cash income for 2011 (Q16)
• Non-cash income from the practice of law (Q17)
• Percent of time devoted to types of work, by Income Level (Q18)
• Percent of time devoted to IP areas, by Income Level (Q20)
• Hours spent per month training new associates or in-house counsel (Q21)
• Full-time IP lawyers and patent agents at all locations (Q22)
• New priority US and PCT Patent applications prepared and filed in 2010 (Q23)
• Direct and indirect reports (Q24)
• Percent of activities handled by in-house counsel other than liaison with outside counsel, by Income Level (Q25)
• Annual gross revenues for company in 2010 (Q26)
• Annual IP budget for company for 2010 (Q27)
• Change in IP budget for company from 2009 to 2010 (Q28)
• Technology focus of company or business unit (Q29)
• Percent of annual corporate IP budget devoted to types of work, by Income Level (Q30)
• Percent of annual corporate IP budget devoted to types of work, by Technology Focus of Company (Q30)
• Percent of time devoted to the following types of work, by Income Level (Q31)
• Percent of time devoted to the following types of work, by Technology Focus of Company (Q31)
  

Corporate IP Department, Attorney

• Background 
• Total Gross Income for 2010 (Q13)
• Total Gross Income for 2010 by Number of Subordinates (Q13)
• Employer's 2010 contribution to 401(k)/403(b) retirement and savings plans (Q14)
• Excluding 401(k)/403(b) retirement and savings plans, employer's 2010 contribution to all pension (defined benefit/defined contribution)/capital accumulation plans (Q15)
• Expected total cash income for 2011 (Q16)
• Non-cash income from the practice of law (Q17)
• Percent of time devoted to types of work, by Income Level (Q18)
• Percent of time devoted to IP areas, by Income Level (Q20)
• Hours spent per month training new associates or in-house counsel (Q21)
• Full-time IP lawyers and patent agents at all locations (Q22)
• New priority US and PCT Patent applications prepared and filed in 2010 (Q23)
• Direct and indirect reports (Q24)

Private Firm, Agent

• Background 
• Total Gross Income for 2010 (Q13)
• Employer's 2010 contribution to 401(k)/403(b) retirement and savings plans (Q14)
• Expected total cash income for 2011 (Q16)
• Full-time IP lawyers and patent agents at all locations (Q22)
• New priority US and PCT Patent applications prepared and filed in 2010 (Q23)
• Billable hours recorded in 2010 (Q31)
• Percent of billable hours actually billed to clients (hourly or any other basis) (Q32)
• Average hourly billing rate in 2010 (Q33)
• Percent of services in 2010 that were billed (or will be billed) by type of basis (Q34)
• Dollar amount billed for legal services performed in 2010 (Q35)

Corporate IP Department, Agent

• Background 
• Total Gross Income for 2010 (Q13)
• Total Gross Income for 2010 by Number of Subordinates (Q13)
• Employer's 2010 contribution to 401(k)/403(b) retirement and savings plans (Q14)
• Expected total cash income for 2011 (Q16)
• Full-time IP lawyers and patent agents at all locations (Q22)
• New priority US and PCT Patent applications prepared and filed in 2010 (Q23)
• Direct and indirect reports (Q24)
• Percent of activities handled by in-house counsel other than liaison with outside counsel, by Income Level (Q25)
• Percent of annual corporate IP budget devoted to types of work, by Income Level (Q30)
• Percent of annual corporate IP budget devoted to types of work, by Technology Focus of Company (Q30)
• Percent of time devoted to the following types of work, by Income Level (Q31)
• Percent of time devoted to the following types of work, by Technology Focus of the Company (Q31)
  

Typical Charges

Trademarks by Location

• Trademark Clearance Search, Analysis, and Opinion (Q38a)
• Trademark Registration Application (Preparation and Filing) (Q38b)
• Trademark Prosecution (Total, including amendments and interviews but not appeals) (Q38c)
• Trademark Statement of Use (Preparation and Filing) (Q38d)
• Trademark Appeal to the Board (Briefed and Argued) (Q38e)
• Trademark Section 8 and 15 Declaration (Preparation and Filing) (Q38f)
• Trademark Renewal Application (Preparation and Filing) (Q38g)
• Filing of Foreign Origin Trademark Registration Application Received Ready for Filing (Q38h)
• Filing for an International Trademark (Q38i)
• Preparing for a UDRP Petition (Q38j)
• Responding to a UDRP Petition (Q38k)
  

Trademarks by Firm Type

• Trademark Clearance Search, Analysis, and Opinion (Q38a)
• Trademark Registration Application (Preparation and Filing) (Q38b)
• Trademark Prosecution (Total, including amendments and interviews but not appeals) (Q38c)
• Trademark Statement of Use (Preparation and Filing) (Q38d)
• Trademark Appeal to the Board (Briefed and Argued) (Q38e)
• Trademark Section 8 and 15 Declaration (Preparation and Filing) (Q38f)
• Trademark Renewal Application (Preparation and Filing) (Q38g)
• Filing of Foreign Origin Trademark Registration Application Received Ready for Filing (Q38h)
• Filing for an Interna​tional Trademark (Q38i)
• Preparing for a UDRP Petition (Q38j)
• Responding to a UDRP Petition (Q38k)
  

US Utility Patents by Location

• Original (not divisional, continuation, or CIP) non-provisional utility patent application on invention of minimal complexity (Preparation and Filing) (Q39a)
• Provisional Patent Application (Preparation and Filing) (Q39b)
• Original utility application, relatively complex biotechnology/chemical (Preparation and Filing) (Q39c)
• Original utility application, relatively complex electrical/computer (Preparation and Filing) (Q39d)
• Original utility application, relatively complex mechanical (Preparation and Filing) (Q39e)
• Patent application amendment/argument of minimal complexity (Preparation and Filing) (Q39f)
• Patent application amendment/argument, relatively complex, biotechnology/chemical (Preparation and Filing) (Q39g)
• Patent application amendment/argument, relatively complex, electrical/computer (Preparation and Filing) (Q39h)
• Patent application amendment/argument, relatively complex, mechanical (Preparation and Filing) (Q39i)
• Appeal to Board in utility patent application without oral argument (Q39j)
• Appeal to Board in utility patent application with oral argument (Q39k)
• Issuing an allowed application (All post-allowance activity) (Q39l)
• Ex parte re-exam (Q39m)
• Paying a Maintenance Fee (Q39n)
• Utility Patent Novelty Search, Analysis, and Opinion (Q39o)
• Validity/Invalidity Only Opinion, per patent (Q39p)
• Infringement/Non-Infringement Only Opinion, per patent (Q39q)
• Combination Validity and Infringement, per patent (Q39r)

US Utility Patents by Firm Type

• Original (not divisional, continuation, or CIP) non-provisional utility patent application on invention of minimal complexity (Preparation and Filing) (Q39a)
• Provisional Patent Application (Preparation and Filing) (Q39b)
• Original utility application, relatively complex biotechnology/chemical (Preparation and Filing) (Q39c)
• Original utility application, relatively complex electrical/computer (Preparation and Filing) (Q39d)
• Original utility application, relatively complex mechanical (Preparation and Filing) (Q39e)
• Patent application amendment/argument of minimal complexity (Preparation and Filing) (Q39f)
• Patent application amendment/argument, relatively complex, biotechnology/chemical (Preparation and Filing) (Q39g)
• Patent application amendment/argument, relatively complex, electrical/computer (Preparation and Filing) (Q39h)
• Patent application amendment/argument, relatively complex, mechanical (Preparation and Filing) (Q39i)
• Appeal to Board in utility patent application without oral argument (Q39j)
• Appeal to Board in utility patent application with oral argument (Q39k)
• Issuing an allowed application (All post-allowance activity) (Q39l)
• Ex parte re-exam (Q39m)
• Paying a Maintenance Fee (Q39n)
• Utility Patent Novelty Search, Analysis, and Opinion (Q39o)
• Validity/Invalidity Only Opinion, per patent (Q39p)
• Infringement/Non-Infringement Only Opinion, per patent (Q39q)
• Combination Validity and Infringement, per patent (Q39r)

Foreign Origin and Foreign Patents by Location

• Filing foreign origin utility patent application in USPTO, received ready for filing with formal papers, assignment, and priority documents (Q40a)
• Filing non-PCT patent application abroad (per country, not including associate or government fees) (Q40b)
• Filing previously prepared US patent application as PCT application in US Receiving Office (Q40c)
• Entering National Stage in US Receiving Office from foreign origin PCT application (Q40d)
• Entering National Stage in each foreign Receiving Office from US origin PCT application (Q40e)
• Paying an annuity or maintenance fee (Q40f)

Foreign Origin and Foreign Patents by Firm Type

• Filing foreign origin utility patent application in USPTO, received ready for filing with formal papers, assignment, and priority documents (Q40a)
• Filing non-PCT patent application abroad (per country, not including associate or government fees) (Q40b)
• Filing previously prepared US patent application as PCT application in US Receiving Office (Q40c)
• Entering National Stage in US Receiving Office from foreign origin PCT application (Q40d)
• Entering National Stage in each foreign Receiving Office from US origin PCT application (Q40e)
• Paying an annuity or maintenance fee (Q40f)

US Design Patents, Plant Patents, and Copyrights by Location

• US design patent application (Preparation and Filing) (Q41a)
• US plant patent application (Preparation and Filing) (Q41b)
• Copyright registration application (Preparation and Filing) (Q41c)

US Design Patents, Plant Patents, and Copyrights by Firm Type

• US design patent application (Preparation and Filing) (Q41a)
• US plant patent application (Preparation and Filing) (Q41b)
• Copyright registration application (Preparation and Filing) (Q41c)

• Less than $1M at risk–End of Discovery (Q42a)
• Less than $1M at risk–Inclusive, all costs (Q42b)
• $1-$25M at risk–End of Discovery (Q42c)
• $1-$25M at risk–Inclusive, all costs (Q42d)
• Greater than $25M at risk–End of Discovery (Q42e)
• Greater than $25M at risk–Inclusive, all costs (Q42f)

Litigation-Patent Infringement by Firm Type

• Less than $1M at risk–End of Discovery (Q42a)
• Less than $1M at risk–Inclusive, all costs (Q42b)
• $1-$25M at risk–End of Discovery (Q42c)
• $1-$25M at risk–Inclusive, all costs (Q42d)
• Greater than $25M at risk–End of Discovery (Q42e)
• Greater than $25M at risk–Inclusive, all costs (Q42f)

Litigation-Trademark Infringement by Location

• Less than $1M at risk–End of Discovery (Q43a)
• Less than $1M at risk–Inclusive, all costs (Q43b)
• $1-$25M at risk–End of Discovery (Q43c)
• $1-$25M at risk–Inclusive, all costs (Q43d)
• Greater than $25M at risk–End of Discovery (Q43e)
• Greater than $25M at risk–Inclusive, all costs (Q43f)

Litigation-Trademark Infringement by Firm Type

• Less than $1M at risk–End of Discovery (Q43a)
• Less than $1M at risk–Inclusive, all costs (Q43b)
• $1-$25M at risk–End of Discovery (Q43c)
• $1-$25M at risk–Inclusive, all costs (Q43d)
• Greater than $25M at risk–End of Discovery (Q43e)
• Greater than $25M at risk–Inclusive, all costs (Q43f)

Litigation-Trademark Opposition/Cancellation by Location

• End of Discovery (Q44a)
• Inclusive, all costs (Q44b)

Litigation-Trademark Opposition/Cancellation by Firm Type

• End of Discovery (Q44a)
• Inclusive, all costs (Q44b)

Litigation-Copyright Infringement by Location

• Less than $1M at risk–End of Discovery (Q45a)
• Less than $1M at risk–Inclusive, all costs (Q45b)
• $1-$25M at risk–End of Discovery (Q45c)
• $1-$25M at risk–Inclusive, all costs (Q45d)
• Greater than $25M at risk–End of Discovery (Q45e)
• Greater than $25M at risk–Inclusive, all costs (Q45f)

Litigation-Copyright Infringement by Firm Type

• Less than $1M at risk–End of Discovery (Q45a)
• Less than $1M at risk–Inclusive, all costs (Q45b)
• $1-$25M at risk–End of Discovery (Q45c)
• $1-$25M at risk–Inclusive, all costs (Q45d)
• Greater than $25M at risk–End of Discovery (Q45e)
• Greater than $25M at risk–Incl​usive, all costs (Q45f)

Litigation-Trade Secret Misappropriation by Location

• Less than $1M at risk–End of Discovery (Q46a)
• Less than $1M at risk–Inclusive, all costs (Q46b)
• $1-$25M at risk–End of Discovery (Q46c)
• $1-$25M at risk–Inclusive, all costs (Q46d)
• Greater than $25M at risk–End of Discovery (Q46e)
• Greater than $25M at risk–Inclusive, all costs (Q46f)

Litigation-Trade Secret Misappropriation by Firm Type

• Less than $1M at risk–End of Discovery (Q46a)
• Less than $1M at risk–Inclusive, all costs (Q46b)
• $1-$25M at risk–End of Discovery (Q46c)
• $1-$25M at risk–Inclusive, all costs (Q46d)
• Greater than $25M at risk–End of Discovery (Q46e)
• Greater than $25M at risk–Inclusive, all costs (Q46f)

Two-Party Interference by Location

• End of Preliminary Motion (Q47a)
• Inclusive, all costs (Q47b)

Two-Party Interference by Firm Type

• End of Preliminary Motion (Q47a)
• Inclusive, all costs (Q47b)

Inter Partes Reexamination by Location

• Through filing the request (Q48a)
• Inclusive of a first patent owner response and 3rd party comments (Q48b)
• Inclusive of all patent owner responses, 3rd party comments, and closing of prosecution (Q48c)
• Inclusive of an appeal to the board (Q48d)
• Inclusive of an appeal to the federal court(s) (Q48e)

Inter Partes Reexamination by Firm Type

• Through filing the request (Q48a)
• Inclusive of a first patent owner response and 3rd party comments (Q48b)
• Inclusive of all patent owner responses, 3rd party comments, and closing of prosecution (Q48c)
• Inclusive of an appeal to the board (Q48d)
• Inclusive of an appeal to the federal court(s) (Q48e)

FIRM DATA

• Background 
• Number of office locations in 2010 (Q3-Q4)
• Number of attorneys in the firm in 2010 (Q5)
• Number of attorneys whose practice is primarily IP in the firm in 2010 (Q6)
• Number of agents and assistants involved primarily in the IP practice of the firm in 2010 (Q7)
• Number of attorneys whose practice is primarily IP law who joined the firm in 2010 (Q8)
• Percentage of attorneys hired through a recruiter (head hunter) (Q9)
• Average fee paid to recruiter as a % of salary (Q10)
• Number of attorneys whose practice is primarily IP law who left the firm (including retired) in 2010 (Q11)
• Number of attorneys and agents, by gender and size of firm, whose practice is primarily IP law in the firm in 2010 (Q12)
• Number of attorneys and agents, by ethnicity and size of firm, whose practice is primarily IP law in the firm in 2010 (Q13)
• Distribution of support staff by size of firm in 2010 (Q14)
• Number of support staff by size of firm in 2010 (Q14)
• Number of support staff per IP attorney by size of firm (Q14)
• Number of summer associates in 2010 (Q15-Q17)
• Monthly pay for summer associates (Q18)
• Percent of firm's activities outsourced to an external provider (Q19-Q20)
• Percent of firm's billings in IP law (Q21-Q22)
• Allocation of firm’s IP billings by size of firm and by type of work (Q23-Q24)
• Allocation of firm’s IP billings, by size of firm and by type of work, where IP law is 75% or more of practice (Q23-Q24)
• Allocation of firm’s IP billings, by size of firm and by type of work, where IP law is less than 75% of practice (Q23-Q24)
• Total 2010 billings for professional legal services (Q25)
• Total 2010 billings per attorney (Q25)
• Firm collections, billings, overhead, and percent change in billings (Q26-Q30)
• Minimum and maximum 2010 attorney billing rates for non-IP work (Q30a-Q30b)
• Average billing rate for non-IP work (Q30c)
• Minimum and maximum 2010 attorney billing rates for IP work (Q31a-Q31b)
• Average billing rate for IP work (Q31c)
• Current starting salary for a first-year associate (Q32)
• Liability insurance coverage and deductible in 2010 (Q34-Q35)
• Liability insurance cost per attorney in 2010 (Q36)
• Number of liability claims for IP matters made in the last five years (Q37)
• Total dollar value of IP liability claims, including attorneys’ fees, paid in the last five years by the insurer or directly by the firm (Q38-Q39)
• Professional liability insurance underwriters used by firms (Q40)
• Liability insurance cost per attorney in 2010 by insurance underwriter (Q40)
• Position of the person responding on beha​lf of the firm (Q1)

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