For its inaugural event, EIP Elements will be recreating here in London the scene of a hearing at the European Patent Office (EPO) in Munich. EIP Elements will be staging a Mock EPO Opposition, giving people an insight into EPO Opposition proceedings in a relaxed environment, and without their patent or their business being at risk! (For those who don’t know, an Opposition hearing is where an Opposition Division of the EPO decides on the validity of a granted patent that has been challenged by another party – the opponent. If the patent is business-critical, the stakes can be very high both for the patentee and for the opponent.)
The scenario centres on a hypothetical patent for an improved version of “morbitol”, a fictional non-cariogenic sweetener. Dr Darren Smyth, partner and head of EIP Elements, will act for the patentee, while Dr Dirk Bühler, a partner in Maiwald Patentanwalts GmbH in Munich, will act for the opponent.
The Opposition Division will consist of chairman Andrew Sharples, partner and head of EIP Life; Robert Gibber, company secretary and general counsel, Tate & Lyle PLC; and Andrew Waugh QC, 3 New Square.
The event takes place at EIP’s London office on 12 June with registration from 5.30pm. Following the proceedings there will be an opportunity for networking. The event is accredited for 1.5 CPD hours.
Registration is free, but places are limited. If you would like an invitation to the event, please email events@eip.com for more details.