Intellectual property is where creativity meets strategy, where innovation demands protection, and where technology and law must speak the same language. Sagar Aurora, Managing Associate at Anand & Anand, stands precisely at this intersection. With a background in engineering and nearly a decade of experience in the full spectrum of patent practice—from drafting to prosecution—he has become a go-to expert for innovators seeking clarity, structure, and protection in India’s fast-growing IP landscape.
On this edition of the Emerging Lawyer Series at Koffee Conversation @TEIF, Sagar opens up about the serendipity that shaped his career, the discipline behind patent practice, and the mindset required to safeguard innovation. His story reflects both intellectual rigor and youthful ambition—a combination that defines the next generation of India’s patent professionals.
Sagar’s career is a blend of intentional leaps and unexpected turning points. After not clearing JEE twice, he explored alternative paths—eventually discovering an integrated B.Tech + LLB program that allowed him to study engineering and law from day one. Encouraged by an early mentor who recognized India’s rising IP ecosystem, he embraced the dual discipline wholeheartedly. Internships at NTPC, UREDA, Remfry & Sagar, K&S Partners, and Eskap Majumdar cemented his interest in patents, and repeated appreciation for his drafting work gave him the confidence to specialize.
Over the years, he has handled complex patent matters, secured grants across jurisdictions, developed strategic opinions, and worked with innovators across industries—from energy to EVs to emerging technologies. Today, at Anand & Anand, he balances legal precision, technical understanding, and strategic thinking. His journey reflects the power of interdisciplinary learning and the impact of consistent, focused mentorship.
Key Highlights of the Koffee Conversation with Sagar Arora:
- Shifted from engineering to law through exploration, mentorship, and an integrated IP-focused program.
- Discovered patent law through internships across both technical and IP environments.
- Breaks the patent lifecycle into three simple stages—drafting, prosecution, and grant/maintenance.
- Uses invention disclosure forms to simplify the patent process for first-time innovators.
- Highlights awareness, timing, cost, and enforcement as the biggest challenges for Indian startups.
- Balances legal, technical, and business aspects by applying a holistic, multidisciplinary approach.
- Says strategic thinking in patents develops over time through diverse and complex matters.
- Has earned repeated client appreciation across jurisdictions for drafting and prosecution excellence.
- Observes a massive shift in India’s IP ecosystem with more institutions filing patents than ever.
- Leads teams by combining clarity, guidance, autonomy, and recognition—shaped by Maxwell’s leadership philosophy.
- Believes AI is transforming IP through new challenges—authorship, ownership, cybersecurity, and ethics.
- Advises non-lawyers entering IP to stay curious, interdisciplinary, and deeply empathetic toward creators.
- Credits his resilience and values to his parents—discipline from his father, kindness from his mother.
- Decompresses through music, guitar, travel, driving, and exploring global cuisines.
- Describes himself in one word: Deep.
🎥 Catch the full Koffee Conversation with Sagar Aurora on YouTube — a dynamic journey through patents, innovation, leadership, and the evolving world of IP in India.
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