Patent attorney Mike Harrison–inventors' advocate
On many people’s list of most admired professions, lawyers tend to rate towards the bottom; usually just below major war criminals and one or two places above used car salesmen. “People do tend to view lawyers as ‘bloodsuckers,’ but that’s because they don’t appreciate how incredibly important they are,” says Munich resident Mike Harrison with a charming laugh. Then again, he would say that. He is, after all, an attorney.
The 40-year-old Englishman from Kent is, however, fortunate to work in a field in which the legal profession is not only admired, but highly valued. Patent law is complex and specialized, and a skilled attorney can make a substantial difference to the final value of a patent—sometimes in the order of millions of dollars. “I suppose lawyers are viewed as being a necessary evil—a function people must use. We actually add value to a product, so the attitude of our clients is completely different,” he explains.
In his normal working day, Harrison—who, at one time, worked at Munich’s main branch of the European Patent Office (EPO) before returning to England to qualify as a patent attorney—can handle patent cases ranging from pace makers and inhaling devices to implants and even such unglamorous items as diapers. Harrison has handled patents on specialized golf putters now used by the pros, as well as a tee with a graphite tip. “Graphite is a lubricant and helps the tee slide into the ground easier, but it can also be used as a marker for the score card. We drafted the application for that idea and the inventor now sells the product to companies for promotion during big golf events. He has earned millions and the beauty of it is that it was such a simple idea,” he says.
Harrison, a partner and general manager of Albihns GmbH, the German subsidiary of Europe’s fourth largest Intellectual Property (IP) firm, is in many ways the embodiment of the European ideal. An Englishman married to a Dutch woman, he is based in Germany working for a Swedish company and his workload comes from throughout the Union. “Munich is an exciting place. In terms of patents, there is a lot happening and Japanese and American firms in particular consider it the center of European patents,” he says. “That is one of the reasons why we opened here. We received little work from large international clients precisely because we didn’t have a Munich presence. Now 50 percent of our work comes from outside Europe.”
In 1995, Harrison arrived in the Bavarian capital to establish the German branch of Albihns. He started off with an empty office, an Ikea table, a laptop and a telephone. Today, the company, located at Hackerbrücke, employs nine professionals (4 attorneys) and is one of the most highly regarded IP firms in the industry.
A graduate of Loughborough University of Technology in England, Harrison holds an automotive engineering degree in addition to his legal qualifications. The expat also speaks five European languages. “That is not unusual amongst patent attorneys,” he explains modestly. “Many speak a minimum of three. One also needs both a technical degree and patent law qualifications to practice. When dealing with a patent for a mobile phone, for example, you need to understand physics, mechanics and protocols, as well as know the process for gaining a patent.”
For Harrison, Munich provides the perfect home. It is not only ideal in terms of his career, but offers unrivaled benefits to his family. His two children (aged 11 and 9) attend the European International School and he and his wife enjoy the relaxed lifestyle the Isar city has to offer. “We plan to stay in Munich for at least another ten years, at least until the kids are finished with school,” he explains. “Munich has an atmosphere that allows you to enjoy life fully. There are the mountains and skiing in winter, the beer gardens, parks and nature in summer. And it is an incredibly safe place, especially considering the rising crime rates throughout the rest of Europe.” The lawyer, it would seem, has a patent on the good life.
