Our patents team has a deep understanding of contentious and non-contentious patent matters: expertise that shapes our advice on patent protection, exploitation and enforcement strategy.
Our clients span a range of technology-rich sectors, including pharmaceuticals, biotech, medical devices, chemicals, technology, telecoms, software and automotive. We advise them across the spectrum of contentious and non-contentious patent-related matters, from new product launches, freedom to operate and patentability, through patent drafting and registration, to patent infringement and validity disputes, including exploitation of patents through a range of commercial agreements.
When it comes to patent litigation, our lawyers are experienced in devising enforcement and patent challenge strategies and co-ordinating multi-national disputes. We have acted in some of the most high-profile patent disputes, including before the appeal courts and Court of Justice of the European Union. We routinely advise at the cross-over between patents and competition/regulatory law, for example, in relation to Supplementary Protection Certificates and FRAND disputes.
Key Services
- Advising on patentability, patent landscaping, invention harvesting and capture
- Drafting and prosecution of patent applications, and advising on scope of protection as part of a broader IP strategy
- Opposing and defending oppositions before the European Patent Office (EPO)
- Advising on patent and Supplementary Protection Certificate (SPC) litigation including infringement, validity and entitlement disputes
- Clearing the way before product launches, comprising: freedom to operate opinions, advice on declarations of non-infringement, revocation and risks in relation to interim injunctive relief and cross-undertakings in damages
- Coordinating global patent disputes, including European Patent Office (EPO) proceedings
- Advising on strategies relating to European patent litigation, in the light of the Unitary Patent and Unified Patent Court, including opt-out strategies for standard European patents
- Advising at the interface between IP and Competition & Regulatory law, particularly in relation to FRAND licensing, enforcement by non-practising entities and regulation of SPCs
- Advising on and negotiating a range of patent-related agreements including patent licences, R&D agreements, manufacturing, supply and distribution agreements, collaboration agreements, technology transfer, and clinical trial agreements
- Due diligence support in corporate transactions involving patents and other intellectual property rights