Patent lawyers

Expert patent and innovation legal advice

Our patent lawyers act for individuals and organisations at the forefront of technical innovation. The team provide strategic guidance, litigate patents and advise on complex transactions. We work across a wide range of jurisdictions and technologies, from therapeutic antibodies to LEDs, apps, mobile telecommunications, specialty chemicals and everything in-between.

"They are able to navigate complex issues of infringement, validity, and FRAND, as well as intricate confidentiality and disclosure requirements in certain cases."

Client, The Legal 500

How we can help you

We have acted on many of the most significant patent cases in the UK and across Europe over the last 20 years, including the seminal FRAND dispute Unwired Planet. As well as litigating UK proceedings, we advise on and coordinate pan-European strategy and have direct experience acting in proceedings before the Unified Patent Court. 

Our award-winning Life Sciences team handles cutting-edge disputes concerning a variety of therapeutics, biologics, and medical devices, whilst our technology lawyers guide clients through rapidly evolving areas including AI, software patents, and telecommunications. We regularly advise on complex multi-jurisdictional disputes and SEP/FRAND licensing matters.

Not all cases need to go to court. Where appropriate, we guide you through alternative dispute resolution, including mediation and arbitration. We also work with you to develop proactive strategies to mitigate the risk of future disputes and protect your commercial interests.

Patent litigation  

We have acted in landmark patent cases that have shaped the law. Our lawyers are agile and creative in defending our clients' intellectual property rights, acting swiftly to protect your rights and prevent disruption to your business.

Our work has helped leading technology and life sciences companies manage and enforce their patent rights across Europe. With specialists in the strategically important jurisdictions of the UK, Germany, and France, as well as numerous other European jurisdictions, we have experienced teams in place where patent disputes are most likely to be fought. 

Osborne Clarke acts for both originator and biosimilar companies and has been involved in UK proceedings concerning several blockbuster drugs. In our UK information and communications practice, the team has been instrumental in shaping the law, acting on high-profile proceedings including appeals to the Supreme Court. 

"Osborne Clarke brings tremendous expertise in all aspects of patent litigation to complex matters of great importance. They are able to bring a global perspective to UK matters that take into account legal intricacies and business considerations."

Client, The Legal 500, 2026

Patent strategy

Our lawyers advise clients on how to leverage their innovation and maximise value from their IP portfolio. We provide strategic counsel on registering or protecting inventions as trade secrets, licensing patents, and exploiting IP rights across the UK and Europe. We work with organisations of all sizes, from start-ups and university spin-outs to multinational corporations, helping you to licence, acquire or dispose of patents, and assess market opportunities.

We also advise on defensive strategies in order to protect your businesses from patent litigation cost-effectively, including freedom-to-operate analyses and patent landscaping.  

Patent transactions

We regularly advise clients on high-value, patent-rich transactions and licensing deals, typically involving multi-jurisdictional or global rights. Our team draws on deep scientific and technical expertise to provide strategic and commercially-focused advice, building on innovation to drive and protect value creation and long-term success.

We advise on a wide range of IP-led transactions and licensing deals, including complex research and development collaborations and strategic partnering deals, commercial stage licensing, portfolio sales and acquisitions, and corporate finance driven transactions. 

Our team also has extensive experience of acting for investors in pharmaceutical royalty stream monetisation deals. This historically niche form of transaction is becoming increasingly popular as pharmaceutical and biotech companies seek novel forms of non-dilutive financing, and investor clients regularly rely on our team's scientific expertise to provide a critical assessment of the robustness of the underlying IP rights.

"They are excellent; they are highly effective and provide practical advice."

Intellectual Property Client, Chambers and Partners

Our international patent lawyers

Across our 26 international offices, our specialist patent lawyers can help you wherever your business is based and wherever your patents are registered. We combine deep technical expertise with tailored commercial solutions, enabling our clients to address current challenges and anticipate future developments.

The team is particularly recognised for our work in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medical devices, semiconductors, mobile telephony, artificial intelligence, and other computer-implemented inventions. We have extensive experience litigating and providing strategic advice across a wide range of technologies, from mobile telecommunications and therapeutic antibodies to platform technologies and robotics.