For most types of intellectual property law, the undergraduate degree does not have to have a special focus. The exception to that is patent law. If you want to become a patent lawyer, you should major in science, engineering, or physics. Other technology-related courses will also be helpful.
Generally, contract law requires the assignee (recipient) of IP to provide something of value (i.e. consideration) in return for the assignment of the valuable rights by the assignor.
Intellectual Property law deals with laws to protect and enforce rights of the creators and owners of inventions, writing, music, designs and other works, known as the "intellectual property." There are several areas of intellectual property including copyright, trademarks, patents, and trade secrets.
In order to become a patent attorney or patent agent it is necessary to take and pass the Patent Bar Examination. Only those individuals with scientific education are allowed to sit for the examination, and you do not need any legal training to take the exam.
The majority of legal practice types don't have any formal undergraduate degree requirements. This is where patent law differs. The career requires that you have a scientific or technology background. Meaning: you'll want to think ahead and choose an appropriate major if you're planning to enter patent law.
Functional Requirements for IP Management It must always be possible to identify/locate their subjects (the rights holder or agent making a claim or transferring a right). It must always be possible to unambiguously identify their objects (the intellectual property to which the right applies).
In short, a patent attorney obtains the IP rights for a client helps in asserting or defending those rights; and an IP solicitor deals with in-depth litigation of IP rights. If you have an idea or invention which needs protecting, you need to speak with a patent attorney rather than an IP lawyer/solicitor.
Both Patent Agents and Attorneys must either have a degree (B.S., B.A., Masters or PhD) in science or engineering, or have taken a certain amount of science and/or engineering classes to qualify to sit for an exam called the Patent Bar.
In order to be a patent lawyer who works to secure patents for inventors, students will be well served by an undergraduate science or engineering degree.