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where they work
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Where do they work?
What do they earn?
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What do I need to be one?
What’s the training?
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How do I apply?
Physical property has to be kept secure with locks, walls and documents to prove ownership. Intellectual property – which can be hugely valuable – is the same, but the security comes in the shape of agreed processes, documents and rules. To put it another way, formalities.
Formalities examiners check that when people (or companies) apply for their ownership of IP to be officially recognised, then the application process runs by the rules laid down by law. This means they check the applications meet the rules, helping to prepare documentation for processing. They also check, for example, that the patent examiner sticks to the process, keeping tabs on time limits and so on.
See also Intellectual Property Office examiner.
The Intellectual Property Office is the government department that officially recognises patents and other intellectual property.
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You’ll need to be a stickler for detail, willing to get your head around all the relevant legal rules and patent regulations. You’ll need to be organised and able to organise other people through communicating with them in person and in writing.
So long as you’ve got at least 5 GCSEs (or equivalent) – preferably more – you can become a formalities examiner straight out of school at 16. More usually, people join a little later or start out in the Intellectual Property Office as an examiner support assistant and then move up. After a few years, you can move up further into other administrative or management roles at the IPO.
Did you know?
The song ‘White Christmas’ was written by Irving Berlin in 1942. It is thought to be the world’s most valuable music copyright.
Training is one to one, on the job, with an experienced formalities examiner.
You’re part of a team seeing cutting edge ideas before they hit the wider world and you get to take responsibility for your own work.
See also Intellectual Property Office examiner.
The rules and regulations are always changing and it’s your job to be on top of the shifting sands.
The civil service jobs website list vacancies as they crop up, but the IPO also runs an annual recruitment cycle which starts in early September. Check website for details.