Translate the Meaning, not the Words! Typical Mistakes in Patent Translation and Their Consequences

Pre-IJET Seminar  (Friday, June 29, 13:30-15:30)

In this seminar, we will have a look at the two main types of translation mistakes in patent translation and the different consequences these mistakes can have in the worst case. Mistakes that distort or change the meaning of the original may result in the application or patent becoming non-patentable or unenforceable. Less severe are mistakes that lead merely to a decrease in clarity or readability, but these can nevertheless cause significant additional costs for the applicant/patentee. The various ways that a poor translation can harm the applicant/patentee are examined in numerous specific examples of typical translation mistakes, including some pitfalls that even seasoned technical translators sometimes fall into. Knowing these consequences then allows us to establish more clearly how far a patent translator may stray from the original.

Translators with some experience in patent translation will get the most out of this seminar, but the examples – most of them for Japanese-to-English translation – are also easily accessible for translators without any experience in patents and apply to other fields of translation as well. Finally, there will also be some tips for patent translation clients (applicants) on how to save money by improving translation quality.