Areas of specialism
EIP specialises in high-value and complex patent matters. Its multidisciplinary team combines patent attorneys, litigators and commercial IP lawyers in three of the world’s main patent markets - Germany, UK and USA.
Our patent drafting, prosecution and challenges practice obtains and defends high-value and complex patents for clients, and invalidates patents held by others during post-grant proceedings including oppositions at the European Patent Office (EPO).
EIP’s litigation practice has built a strong reputation for quality and success amongst its competitors and clients, with a strong track record including success in a landmark ruling on Standard Essential Patents (SEPs) from the UK Supreme Court.
Increasingly EIP’s patent attorneys work closely with the litigation team in the UK and Germany providing additional technical expertise on large scale international patent litigation matters.
EIP has represented clients in hundreds of oppositions before the EPO and represents clients in person at hearings at the EPO in Munich, The Hague and Berlin, as well as via virtual hearings. We are now working to obtain Unitary Patents in the European Union (EU) and are well-placed to represent clients before the Unified Patent Court (UPC).
The integrated team of patent attorneys, litigators and paralegals can act in national court litigation alongside EPO opposition proceedings for a seamless, consistent, and effective service.
EIP counsels clients on strategic patent portfolio development, and EIP has successfully implemented high-level IP strategies for some of the world’s largest companies. In addition, we assist with strategic project work in relation to the enforcement of patent rights, including portfolio analyses, infringement and validity analyses, claim charting, and due diligence related to acquisitions and joint ventures.
EIP also offers commercial advice on the exploitation and use of the full range of Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) including patents, trademarks, design rights, copyright and others, and assists with ancillary issues arising in relation to data protection and rights of privacy.
Clients
EIP has a diverse international client base advising blue-chip companies through to SMEs. Clients include VISA, Airbus, A.P. Moller-Maersk, Vestel, Sonos, Broadcom, and PanOptis.
Clients choose EIP for their commercial outlook, in-house experience, honest opinions, and pioneering approach to dealing with patents. Our attorneys and lawyers have considerable technical knowledge in the areas of high tech, advanced engineering, chemistry, life sciences, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, medical technology, and energy.
Firm overview
EIP was established in 2000 and has rapidly grown to be a leading IP firm with 26 partners and more than 170 staff practising from its four UK offices in Bath, Cardiff, Leeds and London, its US office in Denver, Colorado and its German office in Düsseldorf.
In 2021 EIP was named “Firm of the Year for Patent Litigation” for the fourth year in a row by Managing Intellectual Property. EIP is a Legal 500, Chambers & Partners, IAM Patent 1000, IP Stars, and JUVE recommended firm as well as being recognised in the FT list of Europe’s Leading Patent Law Firms.
Notable cases
EIP has built an enviable reputation in patent litigation and has won the following high-profile cases for clients:
• EIP secured a landmark victory in the UK Supreme Court for its clients Unwired Planet and Conversant Wireless, in Unwired Planet v Huawei and Conversant Wireless v Huawei & ZTE, which have been the most eagerly anticipated telecoms cases in years. This ruling defines the licensing of patented technology considered essential to the international standards for previous and future generations of wireless telecommunications technology.
• EIP secured a significant victory for client Conversant Wireless in Germany. EIP successfully asserted a Standard Essential Patent (SEP) for Conversant against Stuttgart carmaker Daimler in a dispute that will have repercussions across the sector.
• EIP obtained a victory in the Düsseldorf District Court for its client Conversant Wireless in two patent infringement decisions against Huawei and ZTE. The Court affirmed infringement of two 3G-related Standard Essential Patents (SEPs) by Huawei and ZTE products. Subject to enforcement, it awarded inter alia an injunction against both companies, confirming a previous but non-accepted license offer by Conversant as fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory (FRAND).
