Podcast Link : Patent Professional Podcast

A culture of innovation is key to nurturing emerging technologies that will play a key role in redefining our future, whether it is through clean energy or Gen AI or smart interfaces !

Iti Negi, our next pathbreaker, Senior Patent Engineer at Mercedes-Benz Research & Development North America (MBRDNA, California), collaborates with AI Experiences and Autonomous Driving teams, as well as other product development and cross-functional teams, to build a valuable patent portfolio.

Iti talks to Shyam Krishnamurthy from The Interview Portal about the unique but challenging opportunity to play a part in this ecosystem where legal strategy and innovation intersect to drive meaningful change.

For students, always keep an open mind. Stay curious and be receptive to new ideas. Growth often comes from unexpected places, and flexibility opens doors

Iti,  can you share your background with our young readers?

I come from a family that has always valued education, discipline, and hard work. My father was a geochemist, and my mother was a teacher, so I grew up in an environment where curiosity and learning were deeply encouraged. Education wasn’t just a priority—it was a way of life.

I had a well-rounded childhood filled with both academic and extracurricular pursuits. I was always encouraged to try new things, whether it was participating in school debates, choreographing and participating in dance routines or organizing speeches/debates as the school captain. I loved being involved in different activities, including outdoor adventures with family, cultural events or simply exploring new ideas through books. Looking back, those experiences played a big role in shaping my curiosity and sense of responsibility. 

Growing up, I was deeply inspired by the idea of serving in a uniform, particularly the Indian Police Service. The sense of duty, structure, and the opportunity to make a tangible impact on society really appealed to me. This inspiration was also rooted in my family background, many on my father’s side served in the Indian Army as decorated officers, which instilled a deep respect for discipline, service, and leadership from an early age.

However, by the time I reached high school, that aspiration gradually began to shift. I found myself increasingly drawn to academic subjects, especially science, and preferred reading factual content, biographies of various scientists and science journals over fiction. 

What did you do for graduation/post graduation?

This curiosity led me to pursue Electrical Engineering, although I kept an open mind about my future—still considering whether I might return to public service or follow a technical career path.

Even in the early days of engineering, I was in exploration mode interested in understanding how different career paths worked. During this time, I discovered that one of my core strengths was the ability to see the bigger picture and break it down into clear, strategic and tactical steps to achieve a goal. This mindset naturally drew me toward roles that involved problem-solving at both a technical and business level. As I began to explore career options, I became increasingly interested in product strategy and innovation management, areas where I could blend analytical thinking with long-term planning. 

I ended up doing an LLB from Bangalore University.

Can you talk about some of the key influences that led  you to such an offbeat, unconventional, and  unique career in Patents?

While pursuing my engineering degree, I had the opportunity to intern at Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) and HCL Infosystems. These experiences were incredibly valuable in exposing me to real-world engineering environments, from large-scale industrial operations to corporate tech settings. At BHEL, I observed the complexities of working on the shop floor in a heavy engineering context while at HCL Infosystems, I was exposed to the software and IT side of the industry.

However, these internships also helped me realize something important: while I appreciated the technical depth and scale of the work, I didn’t feel a strong personal connection to either the factory floor or pure software development. I found myself more drawn to understanding how technologies fit into a larger business or product strategy, how decisions are made, how ideas are protected, and how they’re brought to the market. This realization played a key role in steering me away from traditional engineering roles and toward a career that would allow me to engage more in business and strategy.

After completing my engineering degree, I was hired by one of India’s leading software companies. Initially, I saw the role as an opportunity to closely study IT domain/infrastructure and determine whether it could serve as a stepping stone toward pursuing an MBA in IT management. However, in the interim, a school friend who had joined the Intellectual Property (IP) division at a major service provider (Evalueserve) encouraged me to explore the field and invited me to an interview. At that time (more than 20 years back), IP and patents as a career was still quite rare in India.

What was it like taking your first step in the world of patents? Was there a learning curve ?

With some time left before I was set to start at the IT company, I decided to attend the interview. Before the formal interview process, the company hosted an introductory session on IP and patents, where they explained the basics of the field, with a focus on a variety of patent related projects, example, patent application drafting, prior art searches, creating patent landscapes for a given technology etc. I was immediately intrigued by the blend of technical analysis, strategy, and legal work. To my surprise, I was offered the position, and that marked the beginning of my journey into the world of IP and patents.

At this company, I received extensive on-the-job training in various aspects of patents related projects including patent application drafting, prior art searches, landscape studies, invalidation searches and claim charting. The first year was particularly challenging, as it required a deep understanding of complex technical subject matter, grasping legal nuances, and then translating that knowledge into well-structured patent applications. I was fortunate to work on a wide range of patent-related projects with leading US and European patent professionals for some of the world’s leading technology companies, which gave me invaluable exposure and helped build a strong foundation in the field of IP and patents.

By this time, I had come to a clear realization that I wanted to build a long-term career in IP and patents. I appeared for the Indian Patent Agent Exam and successfully cleared it, further solidifying my commitment to the field. While I continued to enjoy working on a diverse range of patent projects for various clients, I began to feel a gap, I was contributing to individual pieces but missing out on the broader strategic vision. I wasn’t as involved in developing long-term patent strategies or building cohesive portfolios aligned with business goals. 

How did you plan your career with the broader vision that you had in mind ? Tell us about your career path

During my third year of working at Evalueserve, I started considering a transition to an in-house role within a technology company, where I could be closer to the innovation process and play a more active role in shaping IP strategy from the ground up.

I began exploring in-house opportunities and was hired by LG Soft India (fully owned subsidiary of LG Electronics) in 2008. It was a particularly exciting time in the tech world, as it was just after the launch of the first iPhone. The mobile industry was undergoing a major transformation, and being part of that wave of innovation felt incredibly energizing. I worked with the mobile division at LG, where I had the opportunity to work in a cross-functional environment, collaborating with engineers, product strategists, and innovation teams. This experience gave me a front-row seat to how products were conceptualized, developed, and protected from an IP standpoint.

In addition to my work with the mobile division, I was also involved with the Converged Solutions Group, which exposed me to emerging technologies like smart TVs and smart home initiatives. This broadened my understanding of how different technologies converge and how a cohesive patent strategy supports not just individual products, but an entire ecosystem of innovation.

I had the unique distinction of being one of few patent professionals hired outside of their core team in South Korea. This role came with both responsibility and opportunity. I was tasked with setting up the IP processes, creating patent awareness among engineers, integrating IP considerations into the innovation cycle and building a patent portfolio that was both strategically aligned with the company’s global vision and tactically responsive to local innovation. It was a foundational role that allowed me to shape the way IP was perceived and managed within the India operations.

I thoroughly enjoyed my work at LG and driven by a desire to deepen my understanding of the legal foundations of IP, I enrolled in law school in India. 

Can you talk about some of the challenges you faced as you navigated your career and how you addressed them?

Balancing full-time work with rigorous legal studies was challenging. During that time, I also welcomed the birth of our first child. There were certainly moments when it felt daunting, but the pursuit of both personal and professional growth kept me motivated. It was a demanding phase but also deeply fulfilling as it reinforced my commitment to building a meaningful career in IP and patents. After spending approximately three years at LG, I joined Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), where I continued in a similar role with added responsibilities. My work involved preparing technology landscape reports for niche technologies, utilizing both patent and non-patent literature. Additionally, I leveraged various secondary research sources, including reports from Forrester, Gartner, IDC. 

During my stint with TCS, my second child was born, and my husband (who works with Nokia) received an opportunity to take up a role in the United States (US). Although I was initially hesitant to relocate, my manager at TCS encouraged me to consider this move as a valuable opportunity for a brief career break and move on to a dependent visa. I accepted the opportunity and relocated to the US with the intention of taking a short career break. 

Fortunately, I had moved to the US on a dependent visa that allowed me to work (this was pure coincidence!). Within 4 months of moving, I received a job offer from Nokia and joined the patent team as an IP Specialist, focusing on UI/UX and emerging technologies. Although I was initially disappointed that my planned break didn’t materialize, joining Nokia patent team proved to be a tremendous and career-defining opportunity. I worked with industry experts from Nokia Research Labs in the US, UK, and Finland; Nokia Bell Labs in Murray Hill; Nokia Shanghai Bell; and various academic collaborations of Nokia with top universities in the UK, other parts of Europe, and India. This broadened the scope of my work and provided valuable real-world experience in patent portfolio creation and management.

I was involved in a wide range of patent-related activities, including invention harvesting, creating a valuable patent portfolio aligned with the company’s strategy, patent application reviews, and extensive prosecution across key jurisdictions such as the US, Europe, China, Japan, and Korea. I worked on cutting-edge technologies in digital health, immersive technologies, and advanced hardware and sensing innovations.

Additionally, I collaborated with the technical analysis team supporting licensing and divestment projects, where I created claim charts and evidence-of-use for Nokia and third-party products. Claim charts are a vital tool used in patent law to compare the specific elements of a patent claim with the corresponding features of an accused product or technology. They help identify whether a product or service infringes on a patent by visually mapping the claims made in the patent against the actual technology.

This hands-on experience significantly sharpened my understanding of the impact that claim language and application drafting have on a patent’s commercial value and enforceability. While working with Nokia I also passed the US Patent Agent Exam. 

Where do you work currently? Can you explain your current role?

After spending nearly six years at Nokia, I transitioned to Mercedes-Benz Research & Development North America (MBRDNA), where I currently work. I manage IP & Patents at the Silicon Valley Hub, MBRDNA. In this role, I collaborate with engineers in the AI Experiences and Autonomous Driving teams, as well as other product development and cross-functional teams, to build a valuable patent portfolio.

I’ve worked alongside engineering teams to create significant intellectual property assets. One of my key contributions has been developing a strategic patent portfolio for AI technologies, including those powering MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience), which leverages AI to provide a personalized and intelligent driving experience. I have also worked with the Engineering teams to create IP assets for MBUX Voice Assistant and AI-driven knowledge features.

How does your work benefit society?

As an in-house patent professional, my role is instrumental in identifying, protecting, and managing the intellectual property generated within the organization. While the primary objective is to safeguard the company’s innovations, the broader societal impact is significant. By contributing to the development and protection of novel technologies, I help foster a culture of innovation, support the dissemination of technical knowledge through published patents, and advance technological progress that ultimately benefits society at large. It is a privilege to play a part in this ecosystem where legal strategy and innovation intersect to drive meaningful change.

Any specific advice to young students based on your experience?

Based on years of experience and reflection, my advice to students regardless of the career path you choose is simple:

  1. Keep an open mind – Stay curious and receptive to new ideas. Growth often comes from unexpected places, and flexibility opens doors
  2. Don’t settle for mediocrity – Aim for excellence, even in the smallest tasks. Consistently giving your best builds both skill and credibility
  3. Seize every opportunity and give it your all – The path may not always be clear, but each experience teaches you something new about your strengths and goals. Over time, as you reflect on your journey, you’ll see how the pieces come together and how each step contributes to your growth

Your future plans?

As an in-house patent professional, my future plans focus on deepening my expertise in emerging technologies, particularly Artificial Intelligence (AI), GenAI and Autonomous Driving. I am committed to staying updated with the latest patent guidelines on AI and exploring how AI tools can enhance IP and patent workflows. I aim to leverage these advancements to optimize the patent process, improve efficiency and provide greater value to my stakeholders. Additionally, I aspire to take on more strategic roles, contributing to the development of IP strategies that protect and promote innovation in these cutting-edge fields. My goal is to collaborate closely with cross-functional teams to drive innovation and help align the IP portfolio with the company’s long-term vision. Beyond that, I am committed to lifelong learning and mentorship, helping to shape the next generation of IP professionals.