Welcome to the latest instalment of Managing IP’s ‘Five minutes with’ series, where we learn more about IP practitioners on a personal as well as a professional level. This time we have Jane Møller Nielsen, attorney at aera in Denmark.
Someone asks you at a party what you do for a living. What do you say?
Usually, I keep it as short as just stating that I am a patent attorney helping different companies protect their new ideas and inventions. I might throw in a comment that what you see tomorrow, I have sometimes known about for quite some time. I always avoid going into too many details, since much of the work we do is confidential.
Talk us through a typical working day.
My working day normally starts with getting a cup of coffee before reading emails and checking the due date list to create an overview of the day’s tasks. A typical working day may include client meetings, drafting applications, reports, letters, or communicating an assessment of a freedom-to-operate for a potential new product, etc...
Though the same type of tasks frequently end up on my table, each case tends to differ from the next case. Though many of my tasks can be handled individually, I often include a colleague and discuss with him/her before finalising a task. For me, working together in a team to get different angles on complex issues in the form of inputs from skilled colleagues each with a different perspective on a case, adds value – not only to the product delivered to our clients, but also to my everyday work.
From time to time, urgent tasks come up, which means that the original plan is turned upside down. Though urgent tasks don’t always come at the most convenient time, it also makes my working life extra interesting. The excitement of teaming up with skilled colleagues to solve urgent matters when working in a team brings an extra satisfaction to the everyday work.
What are you working on at the moment?
I am preparing for a course on freedom-to-operate, which I teach every second year. Also, I am adding the final details on a new large patent application, which fits into a growing portfolio for a client who continuously optimises and refines their products thereby generating new inventions along the way.
Does one big piece of work usually take priority or are you juggling multiple things?
I am normally always juggling multiple things. We can never truly predict when our clients need our assistance or when we receive a communication from the authority, which we need to address. We therefore always need to juggle tasks to ensure that every single task is handled in the best manner for our clients. When I have a large freedom-to-operate assessment, which requires focussed attention and concentration, I heavily rely on my colleagues to help out with my other tasks, so that I can prioritise one larger task if needed.
What is the most exciting aspect of your role and what is the most stressful?
I am curious by nature, so interacting with smart and creative people, e.g. an inventor who is very excited about their latest idea, is exciting for me by default. When a client asks me to contribute with my IP knowledge and strategic advice as a smaller piece of a larger puzzle, the importance of what we do is put into an exciting context.
The urgent task with a short deadline brings a specific type of excitement to the job. Urgent tasks may also go hand in hand with some level of stress, but often this makes me focus more intensely and moves things along faster.
Tell us the key characteristics that make a successful IP lawyer/practitioner.
To me, a successful IP practitioner must have multiple characteristics. The love for linguistic details when drafting a patent claim, the ability to focus intensely while at the same time getting the job done without getting stuck on tiny (and sometimes less important) details, the ability to understand and communicate a complex IP situation to different types of clients/a third party in a negotiation situation, and an urge and strive to learn new things, are just a few of these characteristics. At the end of the day, our advice and work need to bring value to our clients and their business in a trustworthy, clearly communicated, and pragmatic way.
What is the most common misconception about IP?
From the random person sitting next to you at the dinner party, telling them that you are a patent attorney is often met with a notion that IP is (too) complex to understand and rather boring. For me, it can be complex, but seldom boring. A misconception from those who know a little about IP is that it is not worth investing in. However, choosing not to understand or invest in IP, may end up being an expensive choice in the long run.
What or who inspires you?
In general, I am inspired by people who manage to combine skills, hard work, and motivation with having an easy-going and optimistic personality. I do not have one specific person who is the major source of inspiration for me. Instead, I am inspired by colleagues, friends, and my family. I also have a fondness for music and find it greatly inspiring how music can lighten up your day.
If you weren’t in IP, what would you be doing?
Something involving communication, analysis of complex matters, or teaching.
Any advice you would give your younger self?
Seek out inspiring people and learn from them.
What is your motto in life?
I am going to go with a Pippi Longstocking quote: “I have never tried that before so I think I should definitely be able to do that”. There is no reason not to give things a try. More often than not, we land safely on our feet, an experience or two wiser.
