How I can help your business

• Identify and mitigate patent risks associated with launching new products through strategic freedom-to-operate analyses and clearance programmes across multiple jurisdictions
• Represent patentees and opponents in complex EPO opposition and appeal proceedings, providing commercially focused advice to strengthen, defend or challenge patent rights
• Develop and manage patent portfolios across engineering, software and AI technologies, helping businesses secure protection that aligns with their innovation and commercial objectives

Overview & Expertise

James Stott is a Partner in Marks & Clerk's Manchester Office and a Chartered (UK) and European Patent Attorney with 15 years' experience in the patent profession. He advises clients across a broad range of engineering and technology sectors, supporting businesses from early-stage innovation through to international patent protection, enforcement, and risk management.

James is particularly recognised for his work on freedom-to-operate (FTO) investigations and patent risk assessment. He regularly manages complex, multi-jurisdictional FTO projects for clients seeking to launch new products and technologies, helping them identify potential risks and implement practical strategies to mitigate them.

He is also an experienced advocate before the European Patent Office (EPO), frequently representing both patentees and opponents in opposition and appeal proceedings. Combining technical expertise with a strong understanding of EPO practice, he provides clear strategic guidance in high-value and procedurally complex disputes.

James works across a wide range of mechanical and electronic engineering technologies, with particular expertise in imaging and display systems, fluid delivery and control technologies, electromechanical systems, analogue and digital electronics, software, artificial intelligence, nanotechnology, and computer-implemented inventions.

Before joining Marks & Clerk, James gained industry experience at Arm, where he worked on the design and verification of application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) for portable electronic devices. He subsequently completed a PhD at the London Centre for Nanotechnology, University College London, where his research focused on the materials and integration challenges associated with hybrid organic and inorganic electronic devices for large-area applications. During this time, he initiated a collaborative research programme with the Japanese National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS), leading to several months of research work in Tsukuba, Japan.

James graduated from the University of Cambridge with a degree in Engineering, specialising in Electronic and Electrical Engineering after studying a broad range of engineering disciplines. His master's research focused on the development of models and interface electronics for micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS).

Client Work & Case Experience

• Industrial equipment — Managing complex freedom-to-operate investigations covering software, electronics and electromechanical products across multiple jurisdictions, including identifying patent risks, developing non-infringement and invalidity positions, and advising on mitigation strategies to support product launch decisions.
• EPO opposition and appeal proceedings — Representing both patentees and opponents in a wide range of contentious matters before the European Patent Office. Proactive case management has allowed early resolution of multiple cases, minimising uncertainty, and delivering cost-effective outcomes for clients.
• AI hardware — Advising on drafting, prosecution and portfolio development for technology relating to AI accelerators, processor design, and memory architectures.