The Gatherer V10

W rays is pleased to announce the Technology Team as a Principal. Richard provides advice on all aspects of intellectual property and has built an impressive track record acting for a range of clients from start-ups to large multinationals. Richard’s background in both chemical and mechanical engineering provides a platform to understanding the technical merits of innovation across a wide range of fields including the energy, mining and automotive sectors. We sat down with Richard to find out more about his past, present and plans for the future. Richard, you started out as a research metallurgist with CRA Services Pty Ltd, a subsidiary of what we now know as Rio Tinto, at what point did you decide that intellectual property was going to become your new career? I had always been interested in technology, especially through chemical engineering, and law but, at the beginning of my career, could not find a way to unite them. Then I discovered – quite by accident really – that intellectual property was a perfect way to unite technology and law. I love both fields by the way. An added bonus is that intellectual property introduces all sorts of ideas and creative people. It’s wonderful to help clients succeed with their creative ideas, whether through technology or branding. After spending over 30 years at your previous firm, it’s been a while since you had your first day at work! What were you looking forward to most about joining Wrays? I have long admired the ambition and drive behind Wrays. As a formidable competitor to my previous firm, our team was always looking for ways to step ahead. I would often find that the Wrays team, with its brand strength had already got there. This propelled my efforts to come up with new ideas. Now, I look forward to joining that step ahead team culture and making things happen with the Wrays team. appointment of Richard Baddeley who has joined the Perth Engineering and

On the energy side, for example, I see great potential for developing our energy practice. Mary Turonek joined Wrays earlier in the year and has as much experience as I do, so we can share ideas and gain new ideas from the engineering and technology group as well. We’re going to be busy! How do you develop a creative approach to IP whilst also aligning with a client’s business strategy? A client is nearly always competing with others. So doing what the competitors are doing does not offer differentiation and a road to better margins. The way to better margins is intellectual property – as that term is used in both a legal and business sense. So immediately, there is a need to develop an IP strategy that differentiates those competitors. That opens the door to being creative whilst being perfectly aligned with business strategy. IP is a platform for that strategy. Being creative could include looking at a particular industry with a new perspective, looking at new geographies for client products and services and using new techniques – such as analytics and AI – to optimise client IP strategy. You have extensive knowledge of the use hydrogen as a clean fuel across a number of industries. What excites you about the potential for this form of energy? I am really excited by hydrogen and I have recently had a short abstract with my perspectives in the published APPEA Journal. It offers wonderful possibilities for the energy industry. A particular appeal is the clean nature of ‘blue’ and ‘green’ hydrogen. Hydrogen is a building block for important chemicals based around ammonia for example. It is also a powerful fuel that will become competitive within the next ten or so years. What is not to like? Through your role as Governor and Honorary Secretary of the Petroleum Club WA, what do you think is the greatest challenge the energy industry is facing? The energy industry is so important to society which needs energy for a high or even basic quality of living. One of the challenges for the energy industry is building social acceptance. This can be done through consultation, education on benefits to the industry and a commitment to more efficient production and use of energy. That brings us back to technology and intellectual property because

IN THE SPOTLIGHT RICHARD BADDELEY

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