28/02/2019
Our third annual open day for trainee examiners from the UK Intellectual Property Office was held on 15 February 2019. As before, we were also joined by examiners from the Japanese Patent Office, and for the first time this year, a number of in-house attorneys from Japanese multinationals also attended.
The day consisted of sessions focussing on the day-to-day work of a patent attorney, including claim drafting sessions organised by associate Jon Gilbert, and a discussion of official action responses run by partners Robert Sackin and Nick Reeve. As patent office practices around the world differ, client instructions that are suitable for one country may not be used without amendment elsewhere. UK IPO, EPO and JPO approaches to inventive step and added subject matter were used to highlight differences in approach. Formalities manager Matt Parkes explained how carefully deadlines must be tracked and monitored, and a number of patent attorney trainees who attended discussed how they approached their daily routines and work loads.
Above all, it was a great opportunity for attorneys and examiners to find common points of interest and experience. We are looking forward to next year.
This article is for general information only. Its content is not a statement of the law on any subject and does not constitute advice. Please contact Reddie & Grose LLP for advice before taking any action in reliance on it.
