Michael specialises in IP law and advises on legal issues relating to the enforcement and commercialisation of UK and European IP rights across a range of technical and creative industries.
On the technical side, Michael has acted in multi-jurisdictional patent disputes working with legal teams in Europe and the US relating to a range of technologies, from mobile and internet-based technologies and RFID devices to insulin-like growth factors. Michael has a particular focus on the TMT and electronics sectors, and SEPs and FRAND. He led two of the successful teams in the litigation for Virgin Media and TiVo against Rovi Corporation in their long running patent dispute covering software, algorithmic analysis, digital transmission and distributed databases in the High Court, the Court of Appeal and in parallel EPO opposition proceedings. In the life sciences, Michael has acted in multi-jurisdictional biotech patent disputes and advises on SPCs and paediatric extensions.
Michael is the partner responsible for our commercial practice. He is experienced in negotiating and drafting contracts dealing with the acquisition, sale and licensing of intellectual property rights concerning fashion, sports, entertainment, music, multi-media and a wide range of technologies for large multinationals, SMEs and individuals.
In the creative industries, Michael advises on UK and EU design right issues and has acted in legal disputes concerning design rights, copyrights and trade marks, including anti-counterfeiting, relating to a variety of business sectors, ranging from consumer electronic devices and GUIs to FMCGs and designer lighting.
Prior to qualifying as a solicitor, Michael worked on intellectual property matters at the European Commission and Deloitte & Touche in Brussels. Michael became a partner of the firm in 2011.
Michael is recognised as an ‘IP Star’ by Managing Intellectual Property, which describes him as ‘first class in terms of service, knowledge and execution’. Michael is also named in IAM Patent 1000, Legal 500 and Who’s Who Legal.
Michael is a member of the Law Society, European Patent Lawyers Association and the Licensing Executives Society. He enjoys running, cycling, kitesurfing, music and films.
Educational Qualifications
Genes, Clones and Patents, University of Oxford (2005)
Diploma in Intellectual Property Law, University of Bristol (2003)
Qualified as a Solicitor in England & Wales (2002)
PhD in Patent Law & Policy, Intellectual Property Institute Scholarship, University of Sheffield (1998)
MSc in Intellectual Property, Herschel Smith Scholarship, Queen Mary College, University of London (1994)
BSc (Hons) in Biological Sciences, University of Sussex (1993)
Example Cases
Eli Lilly v Genentech (patent)
Chugai v UCB (patent)
Case Furniture v UHS Group (designs)
BG Electrical & Nexus Industries v MLA (designs)
Rovi v Virgin Media/TiVo (‘951 patent)
Nintendo v Philips Electronics (patent, Court of Appeal)
Rovi v Virgin Media/TiVo (‘209 patent, High Court and Court of Appeal)
Smartphone/Access v LG Electronics (patent)
Pet Brands v Wilkinson Hardware & James and Steel Ltd (designs)
Eugen Seitz v KHS Corpoplast & Norgren (patent)
Monument v Toolstream (patent and designs)
SanDisk v Kingston (patent)
Intercede v ActivIdentity (patent)
Croydex v Sabichi (patent)
TAL v Dewhirst & Quantum (patent)
Fab n’ Fix v Avocet (designs)
Aontec v Smartrac (patent)
Insight Direct v Net Insight (trade mark)
Tercica v Insmed (patent)
MK Electrical v BG Electric (designs)
Reckitt Benckiser v Robert McBride (trade mark)
BTG v Varian (patent)