Triathlons, Chemistry, and Patents – The Unique Path of Yann Robin, Marks & Clerk
In this edition of our Meet the IP Professional series, PatWorld is delighted to feature Yann Robin, a Principal Associate and Patent Attorney at Marks & Clerk. With a career spanning over 17 years, Yann has built a reputation for his meticulous approach to intellectual property, combining technical expertise with a deep understanding of client needs. We spoke to Yann about his journey through triathlons, chemistry and patents, the evolving role of foreign languages in patent law, and the importance of tailoring IP strategies to meet diverse client priorities.
Falling into IP: Yann’s Unexpected Path
Unlike some who enter the IP profession with a clear vision, Yann’s path was more serendipitous. After completing his postgraduate studies at the University of Strathclyde, Yann began his career at Thomson Derwent, working on patent classification tools. His work involved assigning codes to patents, particularly in the field of chemistry and polymers. This experience sparked his interest in patents and naturally led him to pursue a career as a patent attorney.
“I didn’t have a lifelong ambition to work in IP; I simply followed the opportunities my career presented,” Yann reflects. “But I’m glad I did. It’s a fascinating and rewarding field.”
The Power of Languages in IP Practice
As a native French speaker, Yann’s language skills have long been an asset in his practice. When he started in the profession in 2007, proficiency in a second language—particularly one of the EPO’s official languages—was highly valued. This was because access to machine-generated English translations was not as widespread as it is today.
While machine translation tools have advanced dramatically, Yann highlights that fluency in foreign languages remains invaluable in certain circumstances. “There are still instances where a precise understanding of a foreign language is essential,” he explains. For example, a recent freedom-to-operate analysis required Yann to review a French competitor’s EP patent and the associated French prior art. In this case, subtle linguistic nuances in the claims and prior art documents meant machine translations could not be solely relied upon. Yann’s fluency in French allowed him to provide his client with the clarity needed to make a sound commercial decision.
Although machine translations will likely continue to improve, Yann believes there will always be circumstances where working with the original language is indispensable. The subtleties of technical and legal terms often defy perfect translation, making human expertise a necessity.
Tailoring IP Strategies to Diverse Client Needs
Yann’s client base is diverse, ranging from individual innovators and start-ups to SMEs and multinational corporations. This breadth of experience has reinforced his belief that no two clients are the same. “The most critical point is to first understand the client’s situation and commercial goals, both short-term and long-term,” he says.
He recalls a client, a local SME specialising in cancer diagnostics, who successfully secured a significant round of funding. Their robust patent portfolio, developed with Yann’s guidance over a decade, played a key role in this achievement. This example underscores the importance of aligning IP strategy with a company’s growth trajectory and commercial objectives.
Yann emphasises that budget constraints often shape the IP strategies of start-ups and SMEs. He and his team at Marks & Clerk address this by offering tailored solutions, including a dedicated Start-up Offering and access to IP Audits to help businesses get a cost-effective start on their IP journey.
Sustainable Innovation: A Personal and Professional Interest
Sustainability is a growing area of importance in IP. I find it exciting both technologically and because it aligns with my belief that we need to find solutions to the environmental challenges we face.
Combining his professional expertise with personal values, Yann is actively involved in Marks & Clerk’s Sustainable Materials Group. This initiative focuses on supporting clients developing eco-friendly and innovative materials. “Sustainability is a growing area of importance in IP,” Yann explains. “I find it exciting both technologically and because it aligns with my belief that we need to find solutions to the environmental challenges we face.”
Building Long-Term Relationships
For Yann, building trusted, long-term relationships with clients is fundamental. “Our job is to advise as best we can, and that means understanding the people behind the businesses,” he notes. Regular dialogue and staying attuned to a client’s evolving needs enable him to deliver advice that is not only legally sound but also commercially practical.
Advice for Aspiring IP Professionals
For those considering a career in intellectual property, Yann offers honest and practical advice: “Be patient and stay humble. It takes time to develop the technical, legal, and client-facing skills needed to become truly independent as a patent attorney. You may come into the profession with an impressive academic background, but you’ll need to embrace the learning process, sometimes at a pace which may feel frustratingly slow”
Beyond the Office: Triathlons, Trail Runs, and Outdoor Adventures
Away from the world of patents, Yann is a passionate outdoor enthusiast. He enjoys trail running, cycling, open-water swimming, and competing in triathlons. “I’ve been doing triathlons for almost 10 years now,” Yann shares. “Like most people who dip into that world later in life, I started with shorter distances like Sprint or Olympic, then moved on to longer distances. I tend to do a couple of events a year. I completed my first Ironman distance last summer in Northumberland, finishing an unexpected third overall. One of the most unusual events I did was a half-ironman night race near Aviemore, starting at midnight with a swim in Loch Morlich in complete darkness, followed by biking through the night and running up Cairn Gorm at sunrise—a truly unique experience!”
He also has a lesser-known trait—a photic sneeze reflex. “I sneeze when I look at bright sunlight,” he laughs. “Apparently, it affects around 20% of people, but it still surprises my colleagues!”
Looking to the Future
Yann predicts that while machine translation tools will continue to improve, the need for human linguistic and cultural understanding will persist. The nuances of IP law and the complexity of technical inventions will always require the expertise of a skilled professional who can interpret beyond the limitations of automated tools.
At PatWorld, we understand the importance of precision and insight in IP research and analysis. We are proud to support professionals like Yann Robin with our expert patent search services, helping firms make informed decisions with confidence. Whether you require a freedom-to-operate search, prior art search, or competitor analysis, PatWorld’s experienced team is here to assist. Find out more and order a search at https://patworld.com/us/order-a-search/.
PatWorld is committed to spotlighting the professionals shaping the future of intellectual property. Stay tuned for more insights from industry leaders.
Leveling the IP Playing Field: Spotlight on Charles Clark, Founder of IP Arkitek
Intellectual property (IP) is often seen as a game of giants, dominated by multinational corporations with deep pockets and extensive legal resources. But Charles Clark, an internationally recognized expert in IP strategy and the founder of IP Arkitek, is on a mission to change that. With over 20 years of in-house experience spanning industries from precision engineering to energy, Charles has dedicated his career to helping innovative businesses harness the power of IP to drive growth, secure funding, and compete on a global scale.
We sat down with Charles to discuss his career journey, his thoughts on the evolving IP landscape, and how businesses—especially start-ups and SMEs—can develop winning IP strategies.
From Lasers to IP Strategy: A Career Built on Innovation
Charles’ career began in the UK’s Ministry of Defence (MOD), where he worked as a research scientist developing cutting-edge laser and optics technology for military applications. However, despite the thrill of working on advanced projects (many of which are only now emerging in the field, 25 years later), he felt constrained by the slow pace of innovation and sought a new challenge.
That challenge came in the form of intellectual property. Introduced to patent attorneys during his time at the MOD, and guided by a family friend in the profession, Charles pivoted into IP. His early career took him from private practice to in-house roles at global companies such as Black & Decker and Edwards Vacuum, where he gained first-hand experience in managing IP portfolios that fuelled business growth.
“In-house work gave me the opportunity to get involved in all aspects of IP strategy—beyond just patents and trademarks,” Charles explains. “It was about aligning IP with commercial goals, supporting acquisitions, securing funding, and building long-term business value.”
The Birth of IP Arkitek: A New Approach to IP Strategy
The idea for IP Arkitek was born out of necessity. While leading IP strategy at Centrica, Charles found himself at a crossroads when a corporate restructuring shifted the company’s focus away from new energy ventures. Rather than take on a role that didn’t align with his passions, he decided to carve his own path.
“I took the plunge, set up IP Arkitek, and started consulting—initially with contacts from Centrica who had moved into venture capital,” Charles recalls. “Since then, the business has evolved to help high-growth tech companies navigate the complexities of IP in a way that drives real commercial success.”
Unlike traditional patent attorneys, IP Arkitek doesn’t focus on drafting and prosecuting patents. Instead, Charles positions himself as a strategic advisor, acting as a fractional in-house IP lead for companies that need expert guidance but aren’t yet ready to build a full-scale IP team.
“It is worth pointing out that I don’t compete with patent attorney firms, and I don’t do any prep and pros work—they are much better at that than I am,” Charles explains. “Instead, I work closely with them, often taking on the role of a fractional in-house IP lead. This benefits both the client and the attorneys, as I can smooth the flow of information between them, freeing up attorney time to focus on their other clients while ensuring the business gets the best possible outcomes with high efficiency.”
“My role is to help businesses understand what they should be doing with their IP—not just what they could do,” he adds. “It’s about making smart decisions that align with long-term business goals.”
Levelling the Playing Field: Helping SMEs Navigate IP Challenges
One of Charles’ key missions is to level the IP playing field for smaller businesses, enabling them to compete with large corporations that traditionally dominate the space.
“Know what you’ve got and stick to your guns,” he advises. “Really understand the value of your innovation and how it fits into the bigger picture. If you don’t, bigger players will take advantage.”
One of the most striking examples of this came when Charles helped an SME navigate a complex IP issue with a UK regulatory body. The company was poised to participate in a government-funded project but faced a major roadblock: the existing contractual framework meant that any IP generated during the project would belong to the large corporate partners—not the SME.
“If they had gone ahead under those terms, they would have lost the ability to raise future funding,” Charles explains. “We had to educate regulators and corporate partners about why SMEs need to retain ownership of their innovations. It took time, but in the end, we reached an agreement that protected the SME’s IP while still delivering value to the project.”
The Future of IP: Moving Beyond Patents and Trademarks
As technology advances, Charles believes that businesses need to rethink how they approach IP.
“Too many business leaders see IP as just patents and trademarks, but that’s a limited view,” he says. “We need to distinguish between IP—which includes everything from innovative business models to customer relationships—and IPR (intellectual property rights), which are the legal tools used to protect that value.”
One area where this distinction is becoming critical is artificial intelligence. As AI-driven innovations continue to reshape industries, businesses need to understand how to protect and leverage their proprietary algorithms, data, and methodologies.
“This will be debated long after I retire,” Charles notes. “But companies that take a strategic view—understanding the difference between their valuable IP and the IPR mechanisms available—will be in the best position to succeed.”
Advice for Innovators: Building a Strong IP Strategy
For start-ups and high-growth businesses, Charles offers three key pieces of advice:
1 Start with the business case.
“Focus on what makes your business unique—your USP—and then identify the IP that underpins it. From there, you can determine the best IP protection strategy.”
2 Foster an IP-aware culture.
“Make sure your team understands the value of their ideas. An engaged team that sees the importance of IP will be more proactive in protecting and developing it.”
3 Plan for the long term.
“Budgeting for IP is critical. Many start-ups see patents as ‘too expensive’—but they’re only expensive if you don’t plan for them. A well-structured IP budget over three to five years can prevent costly surprises down the line.”
An IP Strategist with a Mission
Reflecting on his career, Charles is most proud of the path he has forged and the impact he has had on businesses navigating the complex world of IP.
“I see myself as an ‘attorney in recovery,'” he jokes. “My background in the profession gave me a solid foundation, but stepping away from traditional practice has allowed me to make a bigger impact.”
With IP Arkitek, Charles continues to challenge outdated approaches to IP strategy, ensuring that innovative businesses—no matter their size—have the tools, knowledge, and confidence to protect their ideas and thrive in competitive markets.
At PatWorld, we understand the challenges businesses like IP Arkitek face when helping clients protect and manage their intellectual property. Our global IP intelligence platform empowers professionals with fast, comprehensive, and user-friendly search tools, enabling them to make informed strategic decisions. Whether it’s uncovering key insights into competitor portfolios, monitoring industry trends, or identifying potential risks, PatWorld provides the data-driven support that IP strategists and businesses need to stay ahead. Check out the PatWorld Patent Database today.
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