About
Welcome! I’m glad you’re here.
I’m Wolfgang Braun, a project manager and software developer with a specialized focus on creating and managing software solutions across all aspects of patent-related work.
Over my career, I’ve worked extensively at the intersection of technology and intellectual property, developing and consulting on software designed to handle complex patent datasets. My passion lies in creating systems that make it easier to organize, analyze, and retrieve patent information, empowering professionals in the IP field with powerful, user-friendly tools.
Working with patent data presents unique challenges and rewards. Since patent information is spread across national offices worldwide, gathering and structuring it into a cohesive dataset can be a difficult task. Yet, there’s something incredibly satisfying and fun about working with a well-structured dataset of this scale. When the data is organized, it unlocks valuable insights and enables us to build tools that drive meaningful innovation.
Why This Blog?
This blog is here to bridge the gap between intellectual property (IP) experts and software developers, fostering a deeper understanding of topics that can often seem obvious to one side but surprising to the other. An IP professional may have some understanding of IT, but often misjudges what’s hard or easy, what’s essential, or what’s even possible from a technical perspective. Likewise, a developer might come to patent projects with assumptions about IP that are completely off the mark. It’s rewarding to bring both perspectives onto the same track, helping each group understand where the other is coming from.
With this blog, I share concise, accessible posts that can help clarify these differences and foster better collaboration. Some readers may think, “Of course, that’s obvious,” but many will find that these basics aren’t so clear-cut. Here, you’ll find straightforward explanations for concepts that, while fundamental, often benefit from a place where they’re broken down and made accessible.
Additionally, the world of patent data is constantly evolving, with new data products, retrieval methods, and processing techniques emerging all the time. This blog covers common themes that frequently arise in patent-related projects, offering information and guidance on essential tools, workflows, and best practices for those tackling patent data.
Whether you’re in IP, software development, or just curious about this unique intersection, I hope you’ll find insights here that help make things clearer. Thank you for visiting, and I look forward to exploring these topics with you!