Our patents team has a deep understanding of contentious and non-contentious patent matters: expertise that shapes our advice on patent protection, exploitation and enforcement strategy. Our clients span a range of technology-rich sectors, including pharmaceuticals, biotech, medical devices, chemicals, technology, telecoms, software and automotive. We advise them across the spectrum of contentious and non-contentious patent-related matters, from new product launches, freedom to operate and patentability, through patent drafting and registration, to patent infringement and validity disputes, including exploitation of patents through a range of commercial agreements. When it comes to patent litigation, our lawyers are experienced in devising enforcement and patent challenge strategies and co-ordinating multi-national disputes. We have acted in some of the most high-profile patent disputes, including before the appeal courts and Court of Justice of the European Union. We routinely advise at the cross-over between patents and competition/regulatory law, for example, in relation to Supplementary Protection Certificates and FRAND disputes. Key Services Advising on patentability, patent landscaping, invention harvesting and capture Drafting and prosecution of patent applications, and advising on scope of protection as part of a broader IP strategy Opposing and defending oppositions before the European Patent Office (EPO) Advising on patent and Supplementary Protection Certificate (SPC) litigation including infringement, validity and entitlement disputes Clearing the way before product launches, comprising: freedom to operate opinions, advice on declarations of non-infringement, revocation and risks in relation to interim injunctive relief and cross-undertakings in damages Coordinating global patent disputes, including European Patent Office (EPO) proceedings Advising on strategies relating to European patent litigation, in the light of the Unitary Patent and Unified Patent Court, including opt-out strategies for standard European patents Advising at the interface between IP and Competition & Regulatory law, particularly in relation to FRAND licensing, enforcement by non-practising entities and regulation of SPCs Advising on and negotiating a range of patent-related agreements including patent licences, R&D agreements, manufacturing, supply and distribution agreements, collaboration agreements, technology transfer, and clinical trial agreements Due diligence support in corporate transactions involving patents and other intellectual property rights