IP for scientists: general concerns

ITQB- Seminar

Title: IP for scientists: general concerns

Speaker: Cristina Faria

Affiliation: Hovione

 Host: Maria João Fernandes-IBET

Abstract:

Under the pressure to publish and sometimes due to lack of knowledge of the patent system scientists often miss the opportunity to patent their useful findings.

A patent is a valuable asset for a company, university or institute or for an individual as the foundation of the patent system is the attribution of a temporary monopoly to the inventor of a new, inventive and useful creation.

In order to take advantage of the patent system scientists should have a basic knowledge of the patent system: know what can be patented, how to write a meaningful patent and after a patent is granted, how to defend their rights.

A timely decision on if and where to patent can be crucial to the success of a project.

Patents are also a valuable source of information, as full disclosure of the invention is mandatory for the grant of a patent.

When starting a new project or considering a new investigation route a scientist must consider the existing prior art, so that resources are not being spent on something already done and IP rights owned by others are not being infringed. Interpreting a patent document and if necessary finding ways to work around existing patents is a valuable skill for every scientist. Several databases offer a wealth of easily accessible scientific information disclosed in patent specifications.

Short CV:

 Cristina Faria is a chemical engineer graduated from the technical University of Lisbon (IST)

She is specialized in Information for industry with a post graduation course from INETI/ Manchester University and worked as information officer at INETI for four years.

Later, she worked for 11 years at the European Patent Office as patent examiner in the Industrial Chemistry Directorate.

For the last three years Cristina Faria has been working as IP specialist for Hovione, Portuguese API manufacturer.