interviews

Rajvinder Jagdev – Interview
Rajvinder Jagdev – Interview
Partner

What inspired you to study Computer Science at university?

As long as I can remember, I’ve had an interest in computing and technology. Computer science seemed a natural fit for me.

What then led you to pursue a career in IP litigation?

I realised during my studies that my strength lay in words rather than numbers. I thought that IP law would be a great way to combine my legal reasoning skills with my background in computer science and technology.

How does your computer science degree complement your work as an IP litigator?

It has allowed me to understand technology at a fundamental level, which is crucial when formulating case strategy. It also enables me to communicate effectively with technical experts and develop the most effective way of educating the court on complex technical concepts.

What aspect of your work do you find most fulfilling?

Spending my workday grappling with cutting edge technologies is a dream! The breadth of technologies that I have the opportunity to work on is also fantastic.

What do you find the most challenging aspect of being a litigator?

Cases that end up in court tend to be very finely balanced. Developing the most effective case theory for a client is therefore a challenging part of the process particularly when there are several issues to balance. Whilst challenging, it’s also very rewarding.

What is the most significant case you have been involved in during your career?

HTC v Gemalto and Rovi v Virgin Media, which were precedent setting for the approach to patenting computer software inventions.

What is the most exciting technology you have worked on?

Combining an MRI machine and a linear accelerator to deliver targeted therapeutic radiation.

If you could choose your “dream technology” to litigate, what would it be?

Being a computer enthusiast, quantum computing would be a fascinating area to litigate.

What do you see as the biggest IP challenges for the tech sector going forward?

The rapid rate of technological innovation sometimes leaves IP law struggling to keep up. This can lead to gaps in protection, or policy struggles to ensure that rights can be secured and enforced. Emerging tech areas such as AI, blockchain, and quantum computing are pushing the boundaries of traditional IP concepts and may call for new legal paradigms.

Can you share a memorable experience that stands out from your time at Powell Gilbert?

I have worked at Powell Gilbert since 2011. I once held a series of expert meetings in a fantastically ostentatious suite in a Las Vegas hotel during the Consumer Electronics Show. Our expert was attending the show and it was the only time he was available before an evidence deadline, and CES participants had booked out virtually all of the meeting rooms. My overriding memory is lunch being served by our suite butler!

Do you have any advice for individuals with an interest in technology who are considering a career in IP litigation?

Securing a high-quality technical degree, such as in computer science, is the standard starting point for UK practitioners. Various options are then available for converting to law. Work experience or internships are helpful particularly in tech-oriented businesses or law firms with an IP capability. I would also recommend being proactive in networking within the tech and legal spheres.

Which innovation do you think deserves particular recognition?

The development of self-driving or autonomous vehicles is a really exciting area. This revolutionary technology combines various engineering disciplines such as robotics, computer vision, artificial intelligence, sensor systems and low latency wireless telecommunications.

 

Tell us an interesting fact about you.

In my spare time a I volunteer at my local Sikh temple where we make food packages for local food banks. We cook around 300 meals a day and have been doing so since April 2020 (the beginning of the Covid lockdown).