“The internship at the IPI has opened up new horizons for me”

Career path – why David chose an internship at the IPI

David first heard about the internship during a Master’s lecture on copyright and design law at the University of Basel. He was very interested in the content, particularly copyright law. As he could see himself working in the cultural sector in the future, he thought that the internship would be the ideal opportunity to gain an initial insight into this area of law.

An insight into the work – subject area and daily routine

David describes the legal internship at the IPI as very varied. He initially spent two months in the Trade Mark & Design Division, where he was involved in various processes. These included initial examinations, in which new trade mark applications are examined and entered in the register, and opposition proceedings, in which decisions are made as to whether two trade marks are too similar. He then moved to the Legal & International Affairs Division. Here, his tasks ranged from administrative duties to future-oriented research projects. “It was very varied. I wasn’t just assigned small tasks. I was also allowed to work on larger ones independently,” he says.

Highlights – projects and formative experiences

David found the field of IP & health particularly interesting. He gained an insight into how medicines are protected, how patent procedures work and how many patents can be attributed to a single medicine. The topic was new to him and he found it very informative.

Lots to learn – professional and personal development

From a technical perspective, David learned a great deal, particularly about opposition proceedings. He was fascinated by how precisely legal arguments have to be presented and weighed against each other. “What helped me most was being in contact with so many people, including interns and employees from other divisions,” he explains.

The IPI as an employer – collaboration and workplace culture

David found the workplace culture to be very positive. He says that he felt warmly welcomed and supported from the start. He particularly appreciated his colleagues’ helpfulness, the open exchange of ideas in their weekly meetings and the regular team events. This gave him a strong sense of belonging and being in good hands.

Outlook – future plans and benefits of the internship

After the internship, David will begin preparing for the bar exam. “The experience I’ve gained at the IPI will help me to keep a cool head in stressful situations and to structure my daily routine effectively. This will benefit me both in the bar exam and in my professional life in general,” he summarises.