Why did you want to become a Patent Attorney?

Back to the time I was working as an engineer (an inventor), I had to consult patent attorneys on the content of some patent applications. At the time, I thought that it looked like an interesting job. In a sense, I felt that the work of a patent attorney was like playing a technical game with the inventors.

What is THE invention that revolutionized mankind?

The Chinese Three Great Inventions, “gunpowder”, “papermaking”, and “compass” are the inventions that, in my opinion, revolutionized mankind.
In addition, the invention of Alfred Nobel (who is at the origin of the Nobel Prize), i.e. “dynamite”, has reduced the risks of gunpowder. Thus, I could also include this invention in my answer.

At what point did you think “I am glad to be a patent attorney”?

Needless to say, it is when I receive words of gratitude from one of our clients for obtaining patent rights or for keeping a patent in force after an invalidation trial.
There are also difficult times, but, in these cases, I greatly appreciate receiving words of gratitude.

Currently, what are you putting your efforts at, and what are your challenges in order to improve yourself?

Would I dare say “improving my foreign language skills”?
There is a foreigner working in our firm, and it might be bothering her, but I am actively speaking to her in English.

Among the “secret tools” that come from the four-dimensional pocket of “Doraemon”, what would you materialize? Also, from which perspective would you write the specification of this patent?

This may be intended as a deep question, but if the “secret tool” served for writing specifications, first, what comes into my mind would be an object allowing to differentiate an invention from the prior art. Then, since I have a duty of confidentiality, I would keep it secret.

In the future, what do you think would be the abilities required for a patent attorney?

Of course, I think it is particularly efficient for the clients if their patent attorney can reflect on their invention with them, and if he/she can get ideas from them by getting involved from the time of the creation of the invention.
In this regard, I think it is important for a patent attorney to have a broad knowledge of technical fields such as chemistry, electricity, mechanics, or biology. Thinking of which, the company I used to work for was a multi-product development company and I estimate myself lucky to have gained experience there in the development of new products. I also have to thank the company’s budget that allowed me continue doing this job for a long time, more than 10 years, although not even one of these products was sold.

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