IPR-people: Michael Braun – Berggren

1/2022 7.2.2022
Michael Braun

In this article series IPR people tell about their careers. How they ended up working with IP, what they think about IPRs today and what do they do when they are not working.

michael braunMichael Braun

European Patent Attorney, German Patent Attorney (Patentanwalt), European Trademark and Design Attorney, Dr. rer. nat.

Berggen

How did you end up working in the field of IP and your current job?

My interest for intellectual property was sparked by a basic course in patent law during my studies in chemistry at the Technical University Munich. I was fascinated by the fact that a lot depends on the skill of the patent attorney in charge and the attorney’s ability of accurate language use and anticipation. After having defended my award-winning PhD thesis funded by the prestigious German Chemical Industry Association VCI, I joined a top-tier Munich IP law firm, where I was admitted as a German and European Patent Attorney. After almost 10 great years with the same firm, I founded my own boutique IP law firm together with two partners. I am proud of launching this firm and bringing it on the success track.

When I decided to reorient myself professionally, my wife and I recognized the possibility to realize a dream of ours, i.e. to spend more time in Finland. Even though it was not clear at all from the onset whether we would succeed, it turned out that Finland’s major IP law firm Berggren was looking for possibilities to strengthen its international profile. After my family and I had moved to Finland late in 2021, I joined Berggren in the beginning of 2022. Both from Finland as a country as well as my new firm, my family and I received the brightest and warmest welcome (despite the darkness and low temperatures of Finnish winter) and enjoyed living and working here from day one.

Most memorable experience/memory/event from your time working in IP?

Shortly after having been admitted as a German patent attorney, circumstances demanded that I take over a patent opposition case. I was representing the patentee. Given my role as a newly admitted patent attorney, I was not used yet to take the lead in opposition proceedings. The preliminary opinion of the Patent Division was devastating, and everybody expected a quick and crushing defeat in the oral proceedings. However, although I myself least expected it, I turned around the preliminary opinion of the Patent Division and was able to reach a rejection of the opposition in the oral proceedings so that the patent was maintained as granted.

This and other experiences from my early patent attorney career taught me how important it is to fight for my clients with enthusiasm and conviction, and, taking the outcome for the opponent into account, that one should be well-prepared for negative surprises at a late stage of the proceedings.

What would you change about the IP business?

I think everyone can agree that there is always at least some room for improvement in any field of the IP business. Moreover, it seems that each one of us has different possibilities for improving as well as different priorities. Everyone should try to invest some energy in providing excellent service for the client with balance, fairness, and a win-win-mentality.

Give a compliment to a colleague

I would like to thank Dr. Angelika Schenk, the patent attorney who gave the basic patent law course mentioned above, for motivating me to become a patent attorney. Moreover, in view of his highly professional and at the same time down-to-earth and (mostly) relaxed style, I would like to mention Dr. Ralf Perrey, who retired a few years ago and gave me – among others – the valuable advice to keep a good balance between my roles as a patent attorney, father and husband.

How do you spend your free time?

mountains

I like to spend time with my family, especially with outdoor activities. For my almost two-year old child, daily physical activity has become a strong need. I enjoy it a lot to satisfy and channel this need is a positive way. When having some extra time for myself, I love to go for a run or a tour on my road bike.

The fact that others don’t know about you?

meditationMost days, I get up quite early in the morning to spend some time sitting on a meditation cushion.

Photos: Berggren and Michael Braun

Aiheet: IPR-ihmisiä
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