WJIP asks – What does being IP inclusive mean to you?

There are many misconceptions that surround the intellectual property profession. Needing a first in your degree, that you must have attended an elite university, such as Cambridge, or that it is simply a boring ‘desk job’, are just some of false beliefs many hold.

 Here at Wynne Jones IP we are challenging these common misconceptions and supporting greater diversity, equality, and inclusivity across our profession. Here three of our senior trainees, Matthew Veale, Grace Mason-Jarrett, and Piotr Mach, reveal what they falsely believed before entering the profession and what IP inclusivity means to them.

What did you falsely believe before applying to a role within the IP profession?

Matthew: I believed that IP was not sustainably different around the world.

Piotr: I thought it was a boring job dealing with the papers/documents only.

Grace: I didn’t know a great deal about it so hadn’t formed any opinions.

Does the role provide you with more variety than you expected?

Matthew: Yes we cover anything and everything.

Grace: Absolutely, I think when (non-attorney) people think of patents they think of Big Pharma companies but in our practice that’s not the case at all.

Piotr: Yes, it means exposure to a variety of work across different technical fields- which is great!

What common misconceptions do people have with the IP profession?

Matthew: That you need a law degree, you cover all areas of commercial/cooperate law, and generally what IP is?  

Grace: From careers fairs it seems a lot of people worry that they have no experience of the profession or understanding of the Law prior to starting, but that’s really not required.

Piotr: People think you need to attend a top university, get a first, and that Brexit will have a big impact on the profession.

Is there a lack of understanding about the IP profession at university/college/school?

Matthew: Yes, there should be a module at least related to IP law in every degree, there should be some exposure to IP in the school curriculum

Grace: I rarely (if ever?) discussed it at university/college/school. It wasn’t something I came across, I think there is a lack of understanding in that it’s not widely known about particularly outside of the engineering degrees. At Southampton University the electrical Engineers had a talk from an Attorney about becoming a patent attorney, but us physics students didn’t get that.

Piotr: Yes – “are we lawyers?” is a question I get asked quite a lot!

And finally, what does being IP inclusive mean to you?

Matthew: For me, it’s thinking independently together

Grace: To me being IP inclusive means listening to everyone‘s perspective in order to obtain the best solution (for the client or for the firm)

Piotr: It definitely means working towards a more accessible and supportive IP profession regardless of background. In particular, knowing that this initiative exists not only helps me to be myself and feel respected, but also raises my openness to others

For more information on IP inclusive, visit http://www.ipinclusive.org.uk/

Want to be part of an inclusive team? Head over to Our Latest Positions.