How long have you been in your profession?
This year marks my 30th year in the IP profession, I joined as a fresh-faced graduate in 1993.
What attracted you to the profession?
I had just completed my second STEM degree and was looking for gainful employment in a role which used my broad STEM knowledge and other skills. I applied for one IP-related role among many other STEM-based positions. As I joined, I was questioned on how a few everyday gadgets worked. I enjoyed the challenge of trying to explain them using my knowledge of science and engineering. I also learned how important IP is as a business asset. Pure Ideas offers an intellectual challenge and the satisfaction of helping businesses prosper.
What are you most passionate about in your role?
Having been in this industry for so long I have been very fortunate to see many fledgling concepts I helped patent fly as successful products and businesses. I love being involved at the beginning of a product concept and helping individual inventors and small businesses achieve their ambitious goals by helping them secure IP protection and build a good IP strategy for their business.
What advice would you give people who are looking to protect their IP?
Your IP can be a hugely valuable commercial asset to your business. Get advice from qualified professionals such as our Pure Ideas attorneys as early as possible, leaving things too late can result in potentially very valuable IP rights being lost or given away to your competitors. As well as doing the legal work to protect your IP, we can support you in developing a robust IP protection strategy helping position you advantageously within the markets you choose to do business in.
What does your team say about you?
“Vikki Townsend very quickly became one of the Pure Ideas team. She is professional, down to earth, and able to appreciate other people’s views. All of which are key to the Pure Ideas culture and ethos!”
What are your interests outside work?
I’m a passionate advocate for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion working closely with IP Inclusive to improve this across the IP profession, and as a STEM ambassador, I have worked with a range of groups to try and attract a more diverse workforce into the STEM and IP professions of the future.
I really enjoy theatre and film. I am a licensed chaperone and assist at a local performing arts academy. Whilst I’m strictly there for safeguarding the children, I love to see them learn and grow as creators and performers and enjoy the buzz of being backstage when we put on shows, especially in the West End!
To keep fit I box and do karate, I find both great for physical and mental health.
Tell us a fact that none of your work colleagues knows.
I will be in a short horror film playing a barmaid in a Blackpool-based Tiki bar!
Favourite Film?
Billy Elliot. I grew up in the Northeast in the ‘70s and ‘80s and my childhood was a lot like Billy’s, it really reminds me of those innocent times. It’s also a great stage musical.
Related Content Articles
Interview
Podcasts
In episode 10 we welcome the newest member of the team, Vikki Townsend, Senior Patent Attorney. Vikki and Katia discuss everything patent related and what to consider when filing for protection.
