110 likes | 314 Views
An Introduction to the Patent Profession. Thomas Prock European Patent Attorney and Chartered UK Patent Attorney Marks & Clerk. Contents. Introduction What the job is about The attractions of being part of the profession Required skills Training My experience and the future.
E N D
An Introduction to the Patent Profession Thomas Prock European Patent Attorney and Chartered UK Patent Attorney Marks & Clerk
Contents • Introduction • What the job is about • The attractions of being part of the profession • Required skills • Training • My experience and the future
What the job is about - I • Obtaining the best possible legal protection for a client’s intellectual property • Protecting a client from infringing 3rd party’s IP • Playing a part in defending your client in case of dispute • Note: Patent attorneys are not patent examiners; Patent examiner’s work for the patent offices around the world
What the job is about - II • Discussing an invention with a client; analysing the invention • Writing a patent application; defining the invention concisely and clearly • Technical analysis of other, known inventions • Designing clear arguments outlining differences between inventions
Pros: The attraction of being a patent attorney • Keep your science! • Keep learning throughout your life • Meeting technically highly skilled individuals • Get to know about new inventions before anybody else • Advising on use of technology in a business context • The knowledge that work adds value • Developing world wide contacts • ‘Tame’ working hours • Pay
Skills • Outstanding general technical and analytical skill • Ability to think in abstract terms • Good communication skills (both in writing and verbally) • Understanding of business needs
Training: • Basics: University course (while being paid!) • On the job training • by qualified attorneys • in a community of other trainees • To full qualification: at least 3 years • Two sets of exams need to be passed to qualify as European Patent Attorney and as UK Patent Attorney • Tip: Seek to train in a large firm!
My experience and the future My experience: • Very interesting but difficult path to full qualification • There is excitement in keeping up with changes • I never looked back The future: • A career as patent attorney at the cutting edge of technology and law
Thomas Prock Marks & Clerk T: +44 207 7420 0231 tprock@marks-clerk.com www.marks-clerk.com