It is peculiar how all of a sudden all news media and even friends and family seem to discuss patents and intellectual property rights… Samsung vs. Apple (R.I.P. Steve Jobs), America Invents Act and EU-patents. Perhaps it is because when you start to work within a new field, you tune in things that used to pass you by.
Most of us, who started the Specialist programme close to six weeks ago, represent to some extent the best within our specific technology fields. It is therefore a somewhat odd feeling, finding ourselves knowing so very little… The more I learn, the more I realize how little I know… and to me this is quite exciting!
These past six weeks have revealed how multilayered and complex the role of a patent attorney is, encompassing science and technology, law and business, communication and salesmanship as well as writing, translations and grammar…. Who would have thought that at the age of 30 something I would be working on perfecting my Swedish grammar?
But it is a privilege to get the opportunity to learn and it is a lot of fun. Although, I must admit that is with a great deal of humility that I look back at the article in Ny Teknik entitled “Bara de riktigt duktiga kan bli patentkonsulter” (Only the best can become patent attorneys), published only days before we started the Specialist programme.
So far, it has been a little bit like the first day (or weeks) of school, realizing that there is so much more to learn… I am truly looking forward to the upcoming first home office period.
Joanna Applequist, Associate, Awapatent
