Patent Drafting
We work closely with inventors and in-house teams to draft applications that are technically precise and legally robust, with claim sets and fallback positions built to withstand EPO and UKIPO examination. Drawing on our experience of coordinating prosecution in the United States, Japan, China and India, our specifications provide a strong foundation for a worldwide filing strategy.
Patent Prosecution
European and UK patent prosecution is the core of our practice. We provide clear, strategic advice at every stage, from search and examination through to grant, focused on securing claims of real commercial value in a cost-effective and timely manner. Where appropriate, we use AI tools under close attorney supervision, with client confidentiality strictly protected, to improve the speed and consistency of our work.
Oppositions and Appeals
We act for both proprietors and opponents in opposition proceedings at the EPO. For each case, we develop a strategy that is grounded in the technical field of the opposed patent and informed by your own technical expertise, with fallback positions developed from the outset. On appeal, we prepare statements of grounds and replies with the strict admissibility requirements set out by the Boards of Appeal firmly in view.
Validation and the Unitary Patent
We advise on the most suitable post-grant route, whether a Unitary Patent, national validations or a combination, weighing coverage, renewal costs and translation requirements. We are also registered to act before the Unified Patent Court, enabling us to file and withdraw opt-outs from its jurisdiction.
Freedom-to-Operate and Validity Opinions
We conduct targeted searches and provide reasoned freedom-to-operate and validity opinions on European and UK patents, grounded in EPO Boards of Appeal and UK case law. Our opinions identify the patents of genuine concern and set out practical options, from design-arounds to third-party observations or opposition.
Litigation Support
We prepare detailed claim charts for patents across multiple jurisdictions, mapping claim features against accused products for infringement analysis or against the prior art for invalidity. Working alongside litigation counsel, we provide rigorous technical analysis to support infringement contentions, invalidity defences and licensing negotiations.
Patent Strategy and Portfolio Management
We work with in-house IP teams and instructing attorneys to align European filing and prosecution strategy with commercial priorities, including divisional strategy, claim scope across family members, and decisions on which cases to accelerate, maintain or abandon. Periodic portfolio reviews help ensure that your European rights continue to justify their cost.
Renewals and Deadline Management
We monitor and pay renewal fees for pending European applications, Unitary Patents and UK patents, and manage renewals of validated European patents through an established renewal provider. Our records system provides early reminders, tailored to your preferred timelines.
Support for Japanese Clients
Our team is fluent in Japanese and highly experienced in working with Japanese patent firms and in-house IP departments. We understand your workflows and reporting expectations, and structure our reporting letters so they are easy to relay to applicants and inventors.