We are a prominent full-service international intellectual property firm, uniquely with a leading team of patent attorneys, trade mark attorneys, solicitors and barristers, providing a complete IP service to our client base. With offices in London, Cambridge, Guildford, Manchester, Tunbridge Wells and Munich, we work with clients from a variety of industry sectors ranging from major domestic and international corporations, to SMEs, universities and individual inventors playing a key role in nurturing innovation.
We have played a leading role in one of the most followed, high-tech European Court of Appeal cases held over the last two years. Our early involvement in the G1/19 case means that no other firm has the depth of expertise in the patentability of computer-implemented simulations. From preparing and filing the application, handling examination, right through to the appeal stage, Venner Shipley are the go-to firm for computer-implemented simulations in G1/19 (CONNOR/Pedestrian Simulation).
Since the beginning of the pandemic, we have not only been at the forefront of technological developments but also the scientific challenge against the coronavirus pandemic and COVID-19. We are assisting our clients in their efforts through patenting various coronavirus vaccine strategies, including Imperial College’s self-amplifying RNA vaccine, invented by Prof Robin Shattock, and anti-SARS-CoV-2 monoclonal antibodies, as well as other Covid-19 testing-related technology.
Our current portfolio has also seen us provide pioneering advice on artificial intelligence, autonomous vehicles, genome editing techniques (including CRISPR), battery technology for electric and driverless cars, machine learning, computer-simulated inventions, the Internet of Things, cyber-security, gene therapy inventions, precision medicines, 5G telecommunications, as well as augmented and virtual reality.
This means that our multi-disciplinary team is dealing with a hugely diverse and constantly evolving range of intellectual property issues with specialist teams in chemistry, biotechnology, materials and software, as well as all flavours of engineering, from heavy mechanical to electronics.
PATENTS
Our patent attorneys regularly advise on obtaining patent protection, potential patent infringement (whether the firm’s clients are asserting their rights or defending), challenging third parties’ patent rights on behalf of clients, and defending clients’ rights against such challenges. We have extensive experience and a deserved reputation in opposition and appeal proceedings before the European Patent Office, and can also represent our clients before the German Patent Office through our Munich office.
TRADE MARKS
Our dedicated trade mark team is composed of chartered trade mark attorneys, solicitors and barristers, bringing together a breadth of experience and skills to help clients protect and enforce their rights. We offer our clients an innovative, bespoke service from our team of expert UK and European trade mark attorneys, who are equipped with the relevant skills and experience to think commercially and always offer advice to ensure that clients reach their strategic goals, whilst maintaining brand protection. Our team also has extensive experience in opposition and appeal proceedings before the registries, as well as litigation in the UK and overseas; including before the EUIPO, the UKIPO and all levels of English courts. Our combination of opposition and litigation experience is rare in UK firms and is well regarded by foreign attorneys.
In November 2020 we merged with (formerly) Brookes IP who have a wealth of experience in the trade mark field strengthening our ability to offer a personal service and tailoring our services to our client’s individual needs, whether acting for multi-national corporations, SME’s or smaller businesses.
DESIGNS & COPYRIGHTS
Our attorneys regularly file and prosecute applications for registered designs. We also advise on unregistered design rights and copyright, rights that are relevant to all manner of products and that do not need to be applied for. Our specialist team also provides advice on the potential infringement of registered or unregistered design rights and/or copyright by its clients or by third parties. Our European design attorneys practise before EUIPO in connection with registered community designs. The attorneys also act before the UK Intellectual Property Office and the International Bureau of the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) working with a network of international experts to obtain design protection worldwide.
LEGAL
Our clients can draw upon our full-service offering of IP solicitors and barristers, to handle all their legal and dispute needs. The legal team is on hand to work alongside the attorneys to advise on intellectual property rights, confidentiality agreements, licences, assignments, copyright and all associated contracts. Core to the legal team is our dispute resolution service, with experience in all UK courts and tribunals. Our lawyers have appeared in key cases from the Enterprise Court right through to the UK Supreme Court. Uniquely our team also has direct experience in overseas courts, especially Canada. Additionally, our lawyers are leading data protection experts having advised the UK Government on the Data Protection Act 2018. We routinely advise on global data transfers, ICO audits and investigations, data loss, direct marketing, processing agreements and outsourcing. The team has advised globally on data protection matters for many years, assisting several companies with their global compliance training, and have advised on transfers in Europe, the Americas, Asia, the Middle East and our legal team also prides itself on its expertise in government relations, advising clients on regulatory changes and responses to consultations.
