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 commercial 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."

Patent Client, The Legal 500

How we can help you

We have acted on many of the key patent cases in the UK and across Europe over the last 20 years. As well as acting in UK proceedings, we advise on pan-European strategy, including in the recently launched Unified Patent Court

Our Life Sciences team acts on cutting-edge therapeutics and our technology lawyers regularly guide our clients where patent law is constantly evolving.

Patent litigation  

We've acted in patent infringement cases that have shaped the law. Our lawyers are agile and creative when it comes to defending our clients' intellectual property. You can depend on us to act swiftly to protect your rights and prevent disruption to your business.

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

Not all cases need to go to court. Where appropriate, we will guide you through other forms of dispute resolution such as mediation and arbitration. We can also work with you to develop strategies to mitigate the risk of future disputes.

Patent strategy

Our lawyers advise clients on how to leverage their innovation: getting value out of registering (or keeping confidential) inventions and licensing patents in the UK and Europe. We can help you to licence, acquire or dispose of patents, and assess market opportunities.

We also regularly advise clients on more defensive strategies in order to protect their businesses from patent litigation cost-effectively.

Patent transactions

We regularly advise clients on high-value transactions, where patents can be fundamental and one of the most valuable assets of the deal. In these cases, the validity of patents and related rights is critical to the commercial rationale of a transaction. Our scientific and technical expertise enables us to provide a detailed analysis of the validity and enforceability of the rights underpinning a transaction. We use this deeper appreciation of the robustness of the portfolio to guide our clients to commercial success.

We advise in relation to in- and out-licensing transactions, portfolio sales and acquisitions, and corporate finance deals. Our team also regularly acts for investors in pharmaceutical royalty stream monetisation transactions.

"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 patent is registered. We combine expertise and tailored solutions so our clients can address current challenges and anticipate future developments.

The team is particularly known for our work in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medical devices, semiconductors, mobile telephony, artificial intelligence and other computer-implemented inventions. We have experience in litigating and giving strategic advice in relation to a wide range of technologies, from mobile telecommunications to therapeutic antibodies and platform technologies via robotic lawnmowers.

Experience

Unwired Planet

Acted in Unwired Planet v Huawei, the leading case worldwide on the infringement of Standard Essential Patents (SEPs) for telecoms standards, and FRAND (fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory) licensing.

Amgen

Represented one of the world's largest biotechnology companies, Amgen, in litigation throughout Europe relating to its cholesterol-lowering anti-PCSK9 antibody.

OMERS Life Sciences

Acted for OMERS, one of Canada's largest defined benefit pension plans, in its purchase of royalty entitlements for the lymphoma drug Minjuvi from Xencor, Inc.

Insights