What will I do as a patent agent?

There’s a similar pattern to all patent applications, though you’ll work on multiple projects at varying stages of the process. The first step is to meet with clients to discuss their invention so that you fully understand it, which may involve visiting the client if their invention needs to be demonstrated on-site. You then need to do some research, studying technical documents and previous patents to ascertain whether it really is a new invention. If it is, you will write a patent draft, which is a detailed description of the product using precise legal terms. This should be accurate and specific, but also kept as broad as possible, covering all possible uses and adaptations of the product to maximise the client’s monopoly. The draft is then sent to the appropriate patent office (in the UK the UK Intellectual Property Office or European Patent Office) and you must be prepared to answer any queries or objections raised by the patent examiner. After a patent is granted you may be asked to transfer or sell patent rights, watch out for infringements of those rights and, if there are any, defend the client against them. As a trainee you will assist a registered patent agent throughout the process and gain exposure to a range of patent applications.