The range and depth of our patents practice in the UK, Europe and Asia Pacific is renowned. Our global team works seamlessly with clients and other firms across time zones and jurisdictions to provide unparalleled advice and assistance in litigation, transactions, risk management and strategic matters, both local and international in scope.
In the UK, Australia, Italy and France our record for acting before the courts in patent litigation – often on cases that are novel and key for our client’s industries - is unrivalled. Across the pharmaceuticals and healthcare, telecoms, technology and consumer products sectors, we are a trusted partner for contentious and non-contentious matters regarding products of the highest commercial value and are instructed by our clients on their most business-critical assets and the world's top-selling products.
We do more than just manage proceedings in multiple jurisdictions: we work with our clients to set an appropriate strategy from the outset, and we coordinate litigation in every jurisdiction involved, recognising the merit in obtaining specialist local advice where appropriate, providing access to the best local advisors while providing single point of contact for seamless, commercially relevant advice.
We also have significant experience in acting in the purchase, sale and licensing of patents including in joint ventures and collaborations. We work with clients to maximise their commercial strategy and return from their patents.
Our expertise includes advising on related rights such Supplementary Protection Certificates, and we work closely with our Competition team to provide complete commercial solutions.
Recent Experience
MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS
Acting in patent and copyright infringement proceedings commenced by Motorola Solutions Inc against a competitor, Hytera, in the Federal Court of Australia which allege that Hytera’s digital mobile radio (DMR) systems devices infringe three of our client’s patents and that Hytera has copied our client’s source code and other highly confidential materials.
Boral
Advising on the proposed restructure of the Boral joint venture in Asia Pacific with USG in light of Knauf’s purchase of USG, including cross licensing of key patents, trade secrets, trade marks and copyright.
HANWHA Q CELLS
Acting in relation to patent infringement proceedings in Australia, the US and Germany against three competing manufacturers of high-performance solar cells and modules, JinkoSolar, LONGI Solar and REC Group.
Gilead
Acting in relation to patent infringement proceedings in the Federal Court of Australia brought against Gilead by ViiV Healthcare Company and Shionogi who claim that a component of Biktarvy, the integrase inhibitor bictegravir, infringes their Australian patent covering compounds that have HIV integrase inhibitory activity.
Unilever
Advising and defending before the Supreme Court against a multi-million pound claim by a former employee, for compensation in respect of inventions made during the course of his employment.
Ariosa (Roche group)
Advising in patent infringement proceedings brought in the Patents Court against it in relation to its Harmony non-invasive prenatal test.
Insights and updates
