INTERVIEW

How did you learn about the Patent Attorney profession and what inspired you to become a (European) Patent Attorney?

I worked at a start-up where IP was a big question. It seemed very interesting with the intersection of technology, law and business, also I found that it was an important tool in order to commercialize new inventions, especially those from academia.

Most people know that Patent Attorneys help clients obtain a patent. However, what other tasks are you responsible for? 

I don’t write or prosecute patent applications (any longer). What I do is to analyze new companies to see if they are suitable for an investment from us. For deep tech companies, IP and patents are a big part of the companies assets and therefore important to analyze. It is both important to analyze to status of the portfolio, the IP landscape and also the knowledge of IP within the company and the IP strategy.

I also (when needed) help our portfolio companies with IP related questions. Not taking the role as their attorney but as an additional sounding board.

What does the team structure at your workplace look like?

I work with IP alone, but we are always a team that analyze the company since it is many parts to analyze: the team, the technology, the market, etc.

We use external IP law firms for the final due diligence.

What does your average workday look like?

I meet a lot of new companies every week and some of them that we find more interesting we dig deeper into. That means more meetings with the companies as well as interviews with experts as well as own research. I also spend some time giving advice to our portfolio companies.

What would a dream workday as a (European) Patent Attorney look like for you?

I like to work with IP as a tool for business and in broader terms to make inventions available for the society. In a dream day I feel that what I do contribute to that.

Does your job allow you to have time for your hobbies? Do you have any side projects related to patents?

Yes, I have two kids so my hobby is mostly to spend them with them. But I also enjoy workout, cooking and travelling.

If you could start your career over, would you change anything?

Maybe I would be a medical doctor instead.

If the Patent Attorney profession suddenly disappeared tomorrow, what else would you do?

Since I don’t work at a patent law firm I would just continue with what I do: company analysis for investments.

What advice would you give someone that wants to become a European Patent Attorney?

It is very rewarding but it also requires a lot of work, you need to be patient in the beginning.

What do you think about the future outlook of our profession?

Yes I think that we will need to know more about how IP is used and how the technology works. I think there will always be a need for patent attorneys or expert that can draft complicated applications but also to give advise in complicated licensing agreements etc.