Tara J Parish is currently Founding Partner at TJIP Patents, Trade Marks & Designs in Townsville, Australia.
An Australian Registered Patent Attorney and Australian Registered Trade Marks Attorney, she has been practising in patents, trade marks and designs since 1997. For Tara, working as an independent IP attorney hugely satisfying. She explains:
"Founding my firm and continuing to grow it for 16 years has been the most rewarding aspect of my career.
"It’s challenging making decisions about every aspect of your own firm yourself but this way you can build it to be a practice that reflects your own values and personality. Naturally it’s hard work but you can take real pride in the work you do and the clients you serve."
With a background in medical sciences, nowadays Tara focuses primarily on general mechanical patents. She describes her breadth of experience,
"I have worked in a wide range of technologies, including medical, health, industry, construction, government work, and university work. Beyond that I’ve experience in working on trade marks with a wide range of businesses, including national brands, in areas from mining to agriculture, aquaculture, horticulture, safety equipment, and domestic gadgets."
Adding value to clients
At TJIP Patents, Trade Marks & Designs, the secret sauce is clarity of communication and a tailored approach to clients. Tara explains:
"Every case is different. We aim to make working with us easy, with simple to understand options at each step."
Yet the complexity of IP cases is what draws Tara in. She reveals:
"I love the challenge of a really tough examination report, where you can work through every aspect to find the answer. I find that ‘Aha!’ moment such a thrill, even after 28 years in the profession.
"When a patent application in a tricky technology area is finally accepted, that’s an amazing feeling, especially if it’s the first for a client’s wide international portfolio. It’s at that point that you feel you are really rewarding the clients for all the hard work they put in to bring their product to market."
Best practice to share with FICPI members
The clarity of communication shines through in the best practice that Tara chooses to share with fellow IP attorneys in the FICPI global community. She discloses:
"An issue for many clients is understanding the complexity of IP law and the steps that need to be taken to seek a granted patent or a trade mark registration.
"We use multiple different ways to explain things in our written reports to new clients, to try to find the best way to clearly communicate what is happening and to seek meaningful instructions. We can then adapt our approach at each stage to ensure we maintain that clear communication."
Tara and her team at TJIP are also mindful of suiting their communication style to generational preferences:
"We adapt our method and manner of reporting to be approachable and understandable to each individual."
The future for independent IP attorneys
It’s essential for IP attorneys to keep abreast of Artificial Intelligence (AI) developments, Tara believes, and to understand the opportunities it can create but also its pitfalls. She explains:
"Clients are increasingly interpreting our reports using AI summaries and using AI generated responses. That can make it harder to ensure full understanding of our advice.
"We need to adapt to using AI as an invaluable tool in many parts of our work, but for reporting it can make things very difficult."
Tara elucidates,
"If we are not getting information direct from the inventor but rather information that has been filtered and synthesized a few times already, ideas and technical detail can get watered down and confused."
Value of FICPI membership
As well as being a member of FICPI International, Tara has been deeply involved in FICPI Australia since 2011.
However, her first experience of FICPI was nearly three decades ago.
She explains:
"My first experience with FICPI was 28 years ago in 1997, assisting Richard Gallafent, my wonderful first boss, with his work at the time as president of FICPI UK. I was lucky enough to be involved right from the start of my career including attending rather prestigious events such as dinners at the Dorchester in London."
Tara adds:
"I am very proud to be part of the FICPI family. As founder of an independent firm in Australia I have always felt welcomed, and supported. I look to continue to support FICPI, in my role as Council Member and Treasurer in Australia, but also at international level, as a thank you to the other attorneys around the world for the education, advocacy and support that is provided by FICPI, to us all."
She reflects:
"FICPI is truly a family, patent life is tough and the support you get from other members is invaluable, whether it be a tough case, a quick question or personal support in tough times, you know you are not alone and can always find a FICPI friend for a chat.
"I am always open to other members saying hello, in particular from new firms starting out, or small firms who may benefit from a quick question answered - or support from someone who may have already been through the issue - and may have some insight."
Final word – outside of work
Outside of work, Tara packs a lot into her free time. She loves the outdoors and glories in Australia’s wildlife, and enjoys letting her creative loose and running a literacy programme!
She highlights:
"The area of Australia where I live is notable as one of the top spots around the world for seeing parrots, jabiru, brolgas/sarus cranes and numerous other wonderful tropical birds. I can name more than 100 from my back garden alone!
"I also really love the spiders, including huntsman spiders as big as your hand and the famous peacock jumping spider that was an internet sensation a few years back! There are also giant stick insects in my garden too, and from time to time these are my temporary pets, along with my green tree frogs that hide out under my house."
Beyond nature’s wonders, Tara is creative with fabric and loves quilting, as well as letting her hair down dancing, singing and writing.
She recently founded a not-for-profit which she hopes will be able to provide programs for literacy.
Tara adds,
"This also supports the book club of 400 people I run with in-person and online membership."
Education & training
2012: I am most proud of my Certificate IV in Small Business from Sunshine TAFE… 2012 if anyone has seen the famous Australian movie.
2006: Fellow IPTA (Institute of Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys of Australia)
2006: Australian Registered Patent Attorney 2006
2005: Australian Registered Trade Marks Attorney
2004-2006: Masters in Intellectual Property - UTS Sydney, 2004-2006
1999: PgCert IP Queen Mary & Westfield University of London, UK
1997: BSc (Hons) Comparative Anatomy - Bristol, UK
Professional background
2009 - Present: Founded TJIP Patents, Trade Marks & Designs, Townsville, Australia
2000: Trustee/Partner at Chrysiliou IP
1997: Gallafents LLP London, UK
