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Neil has more than 20 years of experience in IP, having spent time in both private practice and the UK patents department of Siemens. Neil is well placed to advise clients on the Unified Patent Court (UPC).
He specialises in physics and electronics inventions and has particular experience in prosecuting telecommunications and Internet patents. He also has expertise in the field of engine technology, having dealt with inventions concerning engine valve control systems and fuel injectors. He has frequently represented clients in oral proceedings at the EPO, including contested proceedings before Opposition Divisions and the Boards of Appeal.
Neil has a PhD from the University of Manchester, for which he used scanning tunnelling microscopy to study nano-sized structures formed on the surfaces of wide band gap semiconductors. He has a degree in Natural Sciences specialising in Physics from Cambridge University.
Experience
- Acted for patent owner in international patent litigation relating to aircraft seating.
- Acted for patent owner in entitlement dispute (UK Intellectual Property Office), resulting in Hearing Officer finding in favour of the patent owner.
- Eaton S.r.l. Represented proprietor in an Appeal from Opposition (European Patent Office) filed by Schaeffler KG, resulting in the Boards of Appeal upholding the Patent.
- Eaton Corporation. Represented proprietor in an Appeal from Opposition (European Patent Office) filed by Ford-Werke GmbH, resulting in the Boards of Appeal upholding the Patent.
- Eaton Corporation. Represented proprietor in an Opposition (European Patent Office) filed by TRW Automotive GmbH, resulting in Opposition Division upholding the patent.
- Qualcomm Inc. Represented proprietor in an Appeal from a Decision of the Examining Division (European Patent Office), resulting in the Boards of Appeal overturning the Examining Division by finding the claims to be inventive.
- Qualcomm Inc. Represented proprietor in Opposition (European Patent Office) filed by Nokia, resulting in the Opposition division maintaining the patent.
- Qualcomm Inc. Represented proprietor in an Opposition (European Patent Office) filed against Nokia, resulting in the Opposition division revoking the patent.
Recent work
- Litigation support for Unwired Planet in Unwired Planet vs. Apple (Northern District of California) and Unwired Planet vs. Google (District of California).
- Generating patent portfolio for Openwave Mobility Inc.
Published articles
- September 2023
EIP News Flashes, Trade Secrets vs. Patents in the UK Space Sector (link) - April 2023
Innovation News Network, How can patent applications advance the UK space sector? (link) - March 2021
Intellectual Property Magazine, Small tech firms up their game (link) - 25 March 2020
Business Insider, IP pitfalls to avoid (link)
Education
- UK Chartered Patent Attorney
- European Patent Attorney
-
1993 — 1996
PhD in Surface and Interface Science, University of Manchester -
1989 — 1992
BSc Natural Sciences specialising in Physics, Cambridge University
Career history
- 2011 — present
Partner, EIP - 2007 — 2011
Partner, RGC Jenkins - 2005 — 2007
Patent Attorney, UDL - 2000 — 2005
Patent Attorney, Siemens - 1996 — 2000
Patent Attorney, RGC Jenkins
Awards and recognition
- Recommended in UK Legal 500
Speaking engagements
- 8 June 2015
Digital 2015, Innovation and Intellectual Property Panel (link) - 26 February 2015
Insider Digital Events, Innovation and intellectual property roundtable (link) - October 2013
ESTnet, Patents, Patenting and Patent Box Seminar (link) - April 2013
Cardiff Start Launch, Ask the Experts IP Clinic (link) - March 2013
EIP Seminar, How to get the most value from your IP - September 2012
CEMAS, Welsh App Showcase 2012 - September 2012
CEMAS, IPR, Business Growth and Networking