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Unrivalled success rate in EPO patent oppositions

No other IP firm has our depth of expertise over such a wide range of technologies

Where your freedom to operate is compromised, attacking the patent centrally through the EPO opposition procedure is one way to get other companies’ patents across Europe revoked. Marks & Clerk is one of the largest IP firms in Europe. Not only do we have people with detailed technical knowledge, but we are able to oppose or defend portfolios of dozens of patents simultaneously. And our success rate far exceeds that of the average European patent law firm.

Technical and legal expertise

At Marks & Clerk, we have a team of highly experienced oppositions specialists who will collaborate with your usual patent attorneys on opposition cases. This combination of expertise gives your opposition a far higher chance of success.

Our attorneys have deep understanding across many technologies including areas such as life sciences, software development, AI and 3D printing.

Our experience of working with searching tools and external searchers is invaluable in identifying relevant prior art, which forms the basis for many successful oppositions.

Specialists

for the result you need

Photo: Thomas Prock

Thomas Prock

Partner German, European and Chartered (UK) Patent Attorney, UPC Representative
Thomas advises clients in the high-tech field, in particular, in the electronics sector on software, artificial intelligence and internet related subject matter. He has extensive experience working with the European Patent Office (EPO) and advising clients on patent strategies across participating member states.
Photo: Daniel Sizer

Daniel Sizer

Partner Chartered (UK) and European Patent Attorney, UPC Representative
Daniel is a Chartered (UK) and European Patent Attorney specialising in mechanical engineering, with a particular focus on energy technologies.

Jonathan Stafford

Partner Chartered (UK) and European Patent Attorney, UPC Representative
Jonathan handles patent matters in the chemistry and life science sectors, with emphasis on pharmaceuticals, medical and diagnostic devices, industrial chemistry, materials, and synthetic methods. Jonathan has particular expertise in the area of small molecule drugs and formulations, cardiovascular devices and wound care, polymers and polymer additives, graphene, catalysis, and stereoselective synthetic processes. He regularly represents clients in EPO opposition proceedings and coordinates these with UPC litigation strategies.
Photo: Kirsteen Gordon

Kirsteen Gordon

Partner Chartered (UK) and European Patent Attorney, UPC Representative
Kirsteen drafts, files and prosecutes patent applications worldwide and has experience of opposition and appeal work at the European Patent Office.
Photo: Will Nieuwenhuys

Will Nieuwenhuys

Partner Chartered (UK) and European Patent Attorney, UPC Representative
Will has experience in a variety of technical fields, with particular expertise in small molecule organic and pharmaceutical chemistry. His work often involves representing clients before the European Patent Office (EPO) and advising on patent strategies across participating member states.
Photo: Philip Martin

Philip Martin

Partner Chartered (UK) and European Patent Attorney, UPC Representative
Philip works with start-ups and large companies, and specialises in patent prosecution in the fields of machine learning, electronics, including power electronics, software and telecoms.
Photo: Andrew Docherty

Andrew Docherty

Partner Chartered (UK) and European Patent Attorney, UPC Representative
Andrew specialises in the field of engineering, with extensive experience in technologies relating to the oil and gas industry, advising a myriad of clients across multiple jurisdictions on all aspects of IP, from protection through to enforcement and strategic management of third party IP risks.

Why choose Marks & Clerk?

Outstanding success rate

Our success rate far exceeds that of the average European patent law firm. Recently, for example, we worked for a high-tech client opposing a portfolio of more than 70 patents. Marks & Clerk achieved revocation of 63% of them. This compares with an industry-average of only 27%. Our success rate was almost three times greater than the average European patent attorney firm. Only 16% of the patents we opposed survived without narrowing amendments, compared to an EPO average of 31%.

Industry-leading litigation and licensing expertise

Our London-based team of IP lawyers are industry leaders in patent litigation and licensing. Where these skills are required – such as when a patentee seeks a settlement – we can add one of our solicitors to the team. By creating these multidisciplinary teams in-house, as opposed to engaging an external law firm, we can dramatically reduce cost and increase the chance of success.

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