David primarily handles patent matters in the field of electronics, and in particular specialises in the protection of computer-implemented inventions. Over the past 20 years, David has been involved in some of the leading cases regarding the patentability of computer-implemented inventions in the UK. David is well placed to advise clients on the new Unified Patent Court (UPC) - see further details at EIP Amar, our alliance created to support clients in any litigation before the UPC.
David has experience handling inventions in the fields of telecommunications, cryptography, Fintech, image processing, cloud computing, machine learning and blockchain technology. Holding a doctorate in Physics from the Optoelectronics Research Centre at Southampton University, David maintains an interest in optoelectronics and has handled inventions concerning optical communications, laser devices, optical modulators, solar cells and terahertz spectroscopy.
As well as drafting and prosecuting patent applications, David is frequently involved in contentious matters. At the European Patent Office, David has extensive experience of the opposition procedure up to and including presenting oral arguments before Technical Boards of Appeal. David has recently handled oppositions against three related European patents, successfully achieving revocation of all three patents by the Opposition Division. David has also successfully handled a complex central limitation at the European Patent Office for a high value patent relating to wireless LANs.
While the bulk of David’s work is for major multinational corporations, David also enjoys working with SMEs, advising on and implementing patent strategies tailored to achieve maximum value.
Published articles
- October 2023
EIP Updates, EPO-EUIPO report: Patents and trademarks improve likelihood of start-ups securing funding (link) - 24 October 2022
IAM, UK IPO case studies offer some clarity on AI invention patentability (link) - 26 September 2022
EIP Update, UKIPO Case Studies Open the Black Box on Examining Patent Applications Relating to AI Inventions (link) - November 2021
WIPR Patents Live, AI inventors: A game-changer for patents? (link) - October 2021
WIPR, DABUS: AI missed opportunity? (link) - September 2021
Newsflash, Unlocking healthcare with AI (link) - August 2021
Whitepaper, What's Next For Medtech? (link) - April 2021
The Patent Lawyer, World IP Day - How to take your idea to market as an SME (link) - March 2021
Newsflash, Protecting Artificial Intelligence Inventions in the UK (link) - March 2021
Newsflash, Reality check for patenting computer-implemented simulations at the EPO (link) - 18 September 2020
The Robotic Law Journal, The need for legislation addressing AI inventors (link)
Education
- LLM Intellectual Property Litigation, Nottingham Law School
- PhD Physics, Optoelectronics Research Centre, Southampton University
- MSc Optoelectronic and Laser Devices, Heriot-Watt University
- BSc Physics, Oxford University
Career history
- 2015 — present
Partner, EIP - 2006 — 2015
Partner, RGC Jenkins & Co - 1996 — 2006
Associate, Beresford & Co
Awards and recognition
- Legal 500, 2022 (link)
- Highly recommended in Legal 500
Speaking engagements
- 6 December 2023
CIPA Webinar, Patenting CIIs: Challenges Faced and Pitfalls to Avoid (co-presented) - 24 November 2020
CIPA Webinar, Drafting Specifications for CIIs: Challenges Faced and Pitfalls to Avoid
Specialisms
Digital
- AI
- Applied maths & cryptography
- Digital health
- Fintech
- Image and signal processing
- Medical imaging
- Telecommunications
- Telemedicine and remote surgery
HealthTech
- Digital health
- Medical imaging
- Telemedicine and remote surgery