Intellectual Property Rights

We’ve compiled a list of the most common and frequently asked Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) interview questions. If you want to ace your HR interview, then make sure you master these answers below. The questions are perfect for anyone interviewing for a Legal Manager Job.

Q.1 How you will manage the sensitive data related to intellectual property rights for a company?

Data related to IPR or intellectual property rights is sensitive and requires very high degree of security and privacy. Role based access is provided which involves data access to the employee as per their role. The level of data access is determined and granted to employees whom they use to access the data. Continuous data monitoring, DLP solution and audit are also conducted to ensure data security and privacy.

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Q.2 What has been your experience with automation in IPR domain?

IPR or intellectual property rights have seen the emergence and impact of automation for increased efficiency. Various intellectual property rights related processes which were repetitive in nature have been automated with the use of robotic process automation and other automation tools.

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Q.3 What are current automation technologies you dealt with in intellectual property rights?

I have used various current automation technologies in the operations and processes of intellectual property rights. RPAs or robotic process automation have been successfully implemented and used for automating the IPR processes of searching, drafting and related communication activities.

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Q.4 What do you think of most important role of an IPR professional?

As an IPR professional the most important role is to provide a sound and effective legal advice related to intellectual property rights to clients or the company. Intellectual property rights professionals are mainly engaged in prosecution, enforcement and litigation on matters related to trademark, patent or intellectual property rights.

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Q.5 How do you see yourself in next five year in intellectual property rights?

I anticipate a bright future as I will be enhancing my IPR skills and knowledge in the domain by adding new technologies as needed by my organization for being competitive. New technologies like automation and RPA will be of immense help to broad base my IPR skills.

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Q.6 What is the impact of IPR protection on a company?

A company is recognized in market by its unique identity called trademark and can also have product or process specific patents which gives it a competitive edge against competitors. All these form part of intellectual property rights and hence, need to be protected at all costs for maintain the market share. IPR has both short and long term impact. The short term impact is rise in competition and long term impact is reduction in margins and market share, if IPR is not protected.

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Q.7 How will you manage subordinates in your intellectual property rights team?

Any IPR related work is a team effort and managing subordinates is of importance for smooth working of intellectual property rights related work. Subordinates are managed as per their skills and accordingly the role in the team which makes it easier for team management. Further team motivation is always my agenda with team related activities so that the team work as a single unit.

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Q.8 How do you maintain discipline in your intellectual property rights team?

Discipline forms the bedrock for a team to work efficiently and effectively. Maintaining discipline in the team is an ongoing process for every team member and starts with awareness of the HR rules and regulatory laws for the same. Team members are communicated in private in case of disciplinary action to give an opportunity for improvement.

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Q.9 What tasks are performed by an intellectual property rights professional?

An intellectual property rights professional undertakes various tasks which usually include drafting, reviewing and negotiating IP and technology licensing agreements as well as filing and prosecution if needed.

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Q.10 How do you assign goals to your IPR team?

IPR is a team effort due to enormous tasks it involves. Team members are assigned goals as per the SMART goals approach and also considering their skills and past performance.

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Q.11 Why you are suitable as IPR professional?

As an IPR professional, I am having extensive experience in legal advice as well as prosecution, enforcement and litigation for IPR. I also possess requisite skills for crucial to IPR which includes communication, problem solving and coping under pressure.

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Q.12 Do you feel satisfied with your role as IPR professional?

I feel satisfied as IPR professional as I am able to provide legal advice for protection of company’s interests by intellectual property rights protection as well as successfully perform prosecution, enforcement and litigation wherever applicable.

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Q.13 How to be updated of new trends in IPR?

Intellectual property rights have seen many new technologies affecting it with introduction of new technologies like big data, AI, automation, etc. I have registered for various IPR related professional education and attend industry seminars, conferences as available online or offline.

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Q.14 What is your greatest work-related accomplishment in intellectual property rights?

My greatest work-related accomplishment in intellectual property rights has been the successful prosecution, enforcement and litigation of a trademark infringement of the company’s logo and related trademarks and was completed within the time and budget constraints.

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Q.15 What are your strengths as an IPR professional?

As an IPR professional I am having extensive experience in providing sound legal advice as well as prosecution, enforcement and litigation for all intellectual property rights. I also have the requisite managerial skills for IPR and legal work.

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Q.16 How will you manage conflict in your IPR team?

Due to disagreements many time conflicts emerge in my intellectual property rights team amongst the members. As per the situation I apply conflict management technique like collaborating, forcing, accommodating or compromising after ascertaining the basis for disagreements.

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Q.17 How to manage underperformance by subordinates in your IPR team?

Under performance has a basis due to which it emerges hence, at first I try to identify the basis of under performance by subordinates. Also, as subordinates may not have adequate experienced hence; their feedback is considered to decide in addressing the issue of underperformance.

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Q.18 How to prioritize IPR related tasks?

Intellectual property rights management involves numerous tasks to be accomplished on daily basis. Hence tasks need to prioritize. I prioritize tasks as per the tasks relevance, urgency, cost involved and resource availability.

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Q.19 How you delegate tasks to subordinates in your purchase and material management team?

Purchase and material management has many tasks and which also needs to be managed so that there is no deviation in performance. Task delegation to subordinates is done as per their skill level, availability and past performance.

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Q.20 How do you organize information and paper work involved in purchase and material management?

Purchase and material management involves lots of information in paper mode like invoice, receipts, etc. We mostly use electronic data to minimize paper work. Prioritization and proper document organization, helps organize information related to purchase and material management.

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Q.21 How do you manage your time for intellectual property rights tasks?

Intellectual property rights require many tasks on a daily basis especially the vast paperwork which have a specific time frame to complete. Hence time needs to be managed efficiently and I do by using to do lists, being aware of time wasters and optimizing work environment

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Q.22 Did you fail to achieve any goal as IPR professional?

Yes, there was an instance when I failed to achieve the defined goals as IPR professional. I had planned for automating the patent search process and for which software was procured and training imparted. But, due to COVID-19 pandemic, lockdown was enforced halting the planned roll out. We did a low key launch after lifting of the lockdown and were able to achieve the specified goals within tie and budget.

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Q.23 How do intellectual property rights can trigger change in an organization?

Intellectual property rights involves not only protecting your own products, brands, etc but also implementing processes and procedures for being competitive. These processes usually involve changes to be made I working of the company. Hence, planning and implementation of the change is undertaken involving all stakeholders and then the change is implemented following change management principles, etc.

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Q.24 Why do you want to work as IPR professional at this company?

Working as IPR professional at this company offers me more many avenues of growth and enhance my intellectual property rights skills. Your company has been in the domain of IPR, trademarks and patents on national and international level and hence offers opportunities for future growth in legal advice, prosecution, enforcement and litigation related to IPR. Also considering my education, skills and experience I see myself, more apt for the post.

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Q.25 Why do you want the IPR professional job?

I want the IPR professional job as I am passionate about legal advice, prosecution, enforcement and litigation related to IPR by using new technologies.

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Q.26 List the Indian law protecting trade marks

The Trade Marks Act, 1999 mandates protection of trade marks of those trade marks which have been recognized and registered.

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Q.27 Differentiate amongst a patent and copyright

A copyright is applicable for protection and recognition to the expression of an idea whereas patent provids protection and recognition to an invention whic is novel

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Q.28 List the section number under the Indian Copyright Act which details the assignment of copyright

The section 17 of the Indian Copyright Act lists the assignment of copyright

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Q.29 How long does the copyright assignment persists if no period is specified?

The copyright assignment persists for five years if no period is specified.

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Q.30 What is enlisted under section 135 of the Trademarks Act, 1999?

The section 135 of the Trademarks Act, 1999 is an important section which focuses on evidence preservation for the purpose of trademark.

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Q.31 List the legal institution in India to determine anti-competitive practices in India

Anti-competitive practices are aimed at reducing the competition by applying various means like reduced pricing, huge discounts, etc In India anti-competitive practices can be determined by Competition Commission, the Competition Appellate Tribunal and the Supreme Court of India

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Q.32 List the various anti-competitive agreement types

Anti-competitive agreement is used to prevent any competition from the other party by legally bounding them in an agreement. Many anti-competitive agreements are used for exclusivity or implementing non-compete legally and includes: tie-in agreement, exclusive supply agreement and exclusive distribution agreement.

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Q.33 How will a plaintiff can prove breach of confidence in an intellectual property rights related legal case?

Breach of confidence refers to breaking or breaching the confidence in the other individual or party especially in a legal case by providing incorrect information. Usually in intellectual property rights related legal case, a plaintiff can prove breach of confidence on the basis of information relied by plaintiff or information being confidential or confidential information handing over

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Q.34 List the agreements related to intellectual property rights, to which India is a member

India is a member of many international treaties and agreements related to intellectual property rights and the major agreements are Paris Convention, PCT and Strasbourg Agreement

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Q.35 Which aspect of the product is acknowledged as design by the intellectual property rights law?

Specific aspects of a product or service is recognized as design by the intellectual property rights law which includes the features of shape, the configuration and the pattern which form an essential part of the design.

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Q.36 List the activities which are not allowed and are under prohibition as per the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property

The Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property also called as the Paris Convention was an international agreement for the Protection of Industrial Property and it mandates that specific activities or acts be prohibited which includes acts to create confusion with the establishment or with the goods and false allegations to discredit the establishment.

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Q.37 A patent can be filed under right to priority for how long?

Any patent which is filed is allowed a maximum duration with in which it needs to be filed and is one year under right to priority

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Q.38 PCT assesses which aspect of a patent?

The PCT or The Patent Cooperation Treaty is an international agreement for protection of patents and it tests the priority aspect of a patented product.

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Q.39 List the main feature of a trademark

A trademark reefs to an intellectual property right which is a design, sign or expression which is recognizable. The distinctiveness of the design, sign or expression is the main feature of a trademark.

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Q.40 If any violation or infringement of registered trade mark is observed then as per the section 29 of Trademarks Act, 1999, who needs to prove the violation?

The section 29 of Trademarks Act, 1999 mandates the responsibility of individual or entity that is responsible for proving any infringement of a registered trade mark by plaintiff

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Q.41 The Design Act 2000 recognizes an 'article' consisting of?

The Design Act 2000 is a; law for protection of design and it recognizes an 'article' which consists of manufactured article.

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Q.42 What is the maximum duration with in which the Dispute Settlement Body under TRIPS gives rulings on disputes?

The dispute settlement body under TRIPS manages disputes amongst the WTO members who are under the TRIPS Agreement and it gives its ruling for any dispute within a maximum time frame of one year if not extended.

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Q.43 Which type of intellectual property right does literary work will be categorized as?

Literary works refers to written work of an individual whether published or nonpublished and with or without illustrations and it includes plays, dramas, and screenplays as well. Literary works are categorized as Copyright for intellectual property right related purpose.

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Q.44 What does the geographical indication refers under TRIPS?

Geographical indication under TRIPS for pa product refers to the unique geographical origin and evolution hence, geographical indication refers to originating member state under TRIPS.

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Q.45 Explain Prior Art

Prior Art is an evidence that the invention is already known and may or may not be available commercially. It includes knowledge disclosed only orally or in patents or in publications

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Q.46 IPR protection in India is based on which framework?

The protection of the intellectual property rights in India is based on the TRIPS agreement as India is a signatory to the international TRIPS agreement.

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Q.47 In the famous Napster intellectual property rights case, which violations were listed by the recording companies?

The recording companies listed violation of rights of distribution and reproduction in the Napster intellectual property rights case.

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Q.48 Micro-organisms are patented under

The Budapest treaty is an international agreement for countries to acknowledge the patenting of Micro-organisms

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Q.49 In India which act was passed to repeal the Trade and Merchandise Mark, 1958

The Trademarks Act, 1999 was passed by the Indian government to repeal the Trade and Merchandise Mark, 1958 for protection of trade marks in India.

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Q.50 Does service mark is same as a trademark?

No, a trademark is different from the service mark. The service mark is applicable on services only.

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Q.51 The trademark registration in India under the Trademarks Act, 1999 is for how long?

Ten years is the duration for which the trademark registration in India under the Trademarks Act, 1999 is valid and then renewal needs to be done.

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Q.52 Cyber squatting is handled by which international agency?

Cyber squatting refers to registering trademarks as domain names on the Internet. Cases related to cyber squatting are attended by WIPO or World Intellectual Property Organization

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