Ritesh Thatte
Canberra
Summary
An experienced leader with extensive experience in EL2 roles in Intellectual Property (IP) and policy domains. Proven ability to lead teams through complex projects and policy initiatives and deliver on commitments with a focus on innovation. Strong technical background in engineering, medical devices, and computing with experience of the complete policy life cycle. Well-developed interpersonal skills and demonstrated expertise in building relationships with diverse range of stakeholders, in academics and industry, across government and with international counterparts.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
Work History
Section Head (EL2) (Acting)
Medical Devices - Patent Examination Group – IP Australia
09.2023 - Current
- Improved productivity of the team (measured as the volume of patents examined) by 20%
- Responsible for managing a section over 40 staff members, including 6 EL1s with wide ranging skills in the field of medical devices including medical, engineering, veterinary and life sciences
- Engaging with stakeholders in the field and ensuring that the patent system continues to support innovation in Medical Devices
- Responsible for productivity, quality, and meeting regulatory requirements for patent applications in the field
- Engage with international IP offices to build relationships and benchmark capabilities for process improvements
- Represent IP Australia in international IP forums such as World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO).
- Oversaw the successful launch of multiple high-priority projects, demonstrating strong leadership skills and strategic planning abilities.
- Led cross-functional teams to complete projects on time and within budget, fostering a collaborative work environment.
Supervising Examiner of Patents (EL2) (Acting)
Patent Examination Group, IP Australia
- Managed Various Sections covering technologies such as construction, mining, oil and gas, mechanical, computing and medical devices
- Similar responsibilities to current EL2 role
- In each role achieved significant improvements in performance in the sections
- Leading teams through changes such as COVID lockdowns and move to activity-based working
- Being involved in and chairing recruitment panels including for EL1 roles Recruitment of including
- I established a training academy for new patent examination recruits in IP Australia.
- Provided clear explanations of decisions made during examinations, enhancing transparency between applicants and organization.
- Mentored junior examiners on best practices for conducting thorough evaluations while adhering to established guidelines.
Assistant Director
Policy and International Affairs, IP Australia
10.2021 - 09.2023
- Led the Artificial Intelligence (AI) policy exploration including government incentives for promoting innovation in AI and the role of IP
- Liaising with other government departments and coordinating the activities of the inter-departmental AI Working Group
- Engaged with international IP offices to ensure harmonised approach to AI policy response, to give Australian industry certainty
- Consultation with experts in the field of AI and IP to identify policy issues
- Preparing discussion papers and engagement with the key stakeholders in different departments in the coordination of the interdepartmental working group activities
- Provided high level advice and prepared briefings for organisational leadership and other agencies on AI and IP
- Led a compliance analysis of Australia’s legislation with international treaty, providing advice on our negotiating position, while also recommending legislation changes
- Procurement of research by academics to collect evidence to support policy analysis.
Senior Examiner of Patents
01.2013 - 10.2021
- Managed a team of 5-7 examiners including trainees
- Trained more than 15 examiners to achieve competency
- Underperformance management Recruitment of examiners Leading Vancouver Group (VG) work: I negotiated a future work plan with the offices of United Kingdom and Canada
- The collaboration has led to improving relationships between offices and significant process improvements in IP Australia
- Capability building of Chilean IP Office (INAPI): INAPI was starting functions as an International Searching Authority (ISA) and had requested IP Australia send experts to train their examiners in ISA practices
- I visited Santiago, Chile, and trained their examiners in searching, examination and administrative practices regarding functioning as an ISA
- Most of the participants had no or little English background and I managed language barriers and provided a 5-day practical training
- IP Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) ISA Assessment: Due to my expertise in ISA requirements, I was selected to represent IP Australia to assess capabilities of IPOPHL
- I visited Manila and assessed various capabilities such as examination practices, quality systems, workforce numbers and skills, IT systems and administrative practices
- I wrote the IP Australia report for the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) to assist decision making on granting ISA status to IPOPHL
- WIPO granted ISA status to IPOPHL.
Education
Master of Industrial Property -
University of Technology
Sydney, AustraliaMaster of Engineering (Advanced Manufacturing Technology) - undefined
University of South Australia
Adelaide, AustraliaPost Graduate Diploma in Computing - undefined
Centre for Development of Advanced Computing
Bangalore, IndiaBachelor of Engineering (Mechanical Engineering) - undefined
Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology
Nagpur, IndiaSkills
Leading large teams
undefinedReferences
- Salesh Swami, Assistant General Manager, Patents - Mechanical, Patent Examination Group, IP Australia, Salesh.Swami@ipaustralia.gov.au, 02 6283 7939
- Andrew Wilkinson, General Manager, Patent Examination Group, IP Australia, Andrew.Wilkinson@ipaustralia.gov.au, 02 6225 6199
Timeline
Section Head (EL2) (Acting)
Medical Devices - Patent Examination Group – IP Australia
09.2023 - Current
Assistant Director
Policy and International Affairs, IP Australia
10.2021 - 09.2023
Senior Examiner of Patents
01.2013 - 10.2021
Supervising Examiner of Patents (EL2) (Acting)
Patent Examination Group, IP Australia
Master of Industrial Property -
University of Technology
Master of Engineering (Advanced Manufacturing Technology) - undefined
University of South Australia
Post Graduate Diploma in Computing - undefined
Centre for Development of Advanced Computing
Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical Engineering) - undefined
Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology
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