EIP

UK IP firm EIP is recommended for patent prosecution and litigation. The firm’s patent litigation activities in the UK have cemented its reputation as one of the best firms for electronics patent work. Patent litigation supremo Gary Moss now serves as the firm's Chairman while litigation partners Andrew Sharples and Robert Lundie Smith co-lead the UK litigation practice. Sharples, who is dual qualified as a patent attorney and solicitor, and Lundie Smith are supported by Kathleen Fox Murphy, Tom Brazier and a team of junior lawyers.

The firm has also expanded its footprint, with offices in the United States, Sweden and Germany. Patent litigator Christof Höhne heads up its German office while entertainment lawyer Leigh Augustine leads the US office. In 2021, the firm hired former AWA CEO and lawyer Magnus Hallin to serve as its CEO and partnered with the brands law firm Stobbs to handle its European trade mark work. The firm launched in Sweden in September 2022 and, in November 2022, unveiled its UPC legal practice known as EIP Amar, a partnership with French IP firm Amar Goussu Staub.

In addition to its hi-tech patent expertise, the firm has experienced European patent attorneys for engineering, biotechnology, and chemistry work. The notable senior patent attorneys are Paula Flutter, Colin Lobban, Jerome Spaargaren, Matt Lawman, Heather McCann, Richard Gordon-Brown, Darren Smyth, and Gareth Probert. The patent practitioners in the firm are supported by patent law scholar Derk Visser, a leading authority on the European Patent Convention. Mark Lubbock is the IP transactions specialist in the firm.

2024/2025

"One rare aspect of EIP is that it is a firm both of solicitors and patent attorneys, the latter being highly relevant to (and important in) their work in patent litigation – the patent attorneys are usually heavily involved in the technical aspects of the litigation, providing essential input. Although EIP is not unique in having patent attorneys, the interaction between them and the patent litigation teams is much stronger in EIP than I have experienced elsewhere. The patent attorneys provide nearly all of the internal technical expertise, and they do so very effectively."

Rob Lundie Smith

"He is very hard-working, conscientious, and has a real understanding of the technical, legal and strategic aspects of the cases he is working on."

2023

"We appreciate their skill, professionalism and EQ."

"Gary Moss and his team have significant patent litigation experience from top to bottom. The team has created new law in the UK (on behalf of us) in the field of standards essential patents that the patent community has been watching. EIP also has a very strategic patent prosecution team that works hand-in-hand with the litigation team throughout Europe."

"They are unfailingly responsive and proactive, giving us great confidence in our IP portfolio's development and management. "

"The team I worked with has successfully prosecuted and obtained over 20 patents for us."

"They don't waste our time – ever. They have deep technical understanding so meetings with our engineers are very productive and efficient. They advise us on thoughtfully building our international portfolio in a cost-effective manner. We appreciate that their advice is relevant to where we are in OUR journey – it is tailored to US, as we grow, and not a larger company (which may prove to be too expensive and risk averse) and not a smaller company (which may not be risk averse enough!)"

"They are hard-working, intelligent and experienced."

"One rare aspect of EIP is that it is a firm both of solicitors and patent attorneys, the latter being highly relevant to and important in the firm's work in patent litigation – the patent attorneys are usually heavily involved in the technical aspects of the litigation, providing essential input. Although EIP is not unique in having patent attorneys, the interaction between them and the patent litigation teams is much stronger in EIP than I have experienced elsewhere. The patent attorneys provide nearly all of the internal technical expertise, and they do so very effectively."

"We get very good advice on the peculiarities of US prosecution."

"We value their experience."

2021 client testimonials

A client hired the firm because of its “competence in SEP litigation and licensing” and commended the firm for its “co-operative approach”.

Another client said it uses the firm because of its “outstanding reputation for patent litigation in the UK”, adding: “They are very thoughtful and diligent, and they keep winning for us.”

One client said: “The quality of the work is high, top-notch people and a pleasure to work with.”

A software client said: “EIP are excellent. I've been impressed since day one with their approach, knowledge, the way that they advise our business and the way that they engage with us.

A litigation client explained: “They provide strong strategic advice and clear indications as to the outcomes which are achievable. They clearly explain what options are available and work well with us to achieve our strategic objectives.”

2019 client testimonials

A client was impressed by the firm’s “responsive and ethical” service.

A patent client noted: “In a very short timeframe, EIP were able to draft and submit the applications requested and followed up on conflicts.”

“Fresh approach to client service. Nothing is too much trouble and you never need to ask for something twice,” another client noted.

A satisfied client commended the firm’s portfolio management service. “EIP delivered a 5-star service at every level,” the client said, explaining: “We initially asked them to manage our European patent and trade mark portfolio, but quickly moved to appoint them to represent us globally. Since we engaged EIP, we never have any concern with our IP portfolio. Their delivery is second to none.”

Managing IP 2022 award reasons

Europe Patent Contentious (Patent & Trademark Attorney Firms)

The firm is well known in the UK and Germany for its SEP litigation expertise in the telecoms and electronics sectors. It was involved in high-profile patent disputes, representing companies such as Conversant Wireless Licensing, Sonos, Optis and Vestel.

Patent litigation case studies show the firm represented Unwired Planet, Conversant Wireless Licensing and Optis Cellular Technology in their respective SEP actions. The firm provided drafting, prosecution, and portfolio management services to clients such as Hewlett-Packard, Tate & Lyle, VISA, and Amazon Technologies.

This year’s patent attorneys to watch are Robert Barker, Ben Jones, and Felix Hall, while the litigators to watch are Tom Brazier and Alex Morgan.

In 2020, the firm welcomed several patent attorneys including Colin Lobban, Monika Rai, and Gareth Probert. Electronics engineering specialist Pete Wilson left the firm in 2020 for an in-house role. The firm hired patent attorneys Peter Scull and Jared Barnard in June 2021 to strengthen its US office. Electronics patent specialist Andrew Thompson joined the London office as a partner in 2022.

The firm hired four patent attorneys, including Patent Star Inga-Lill Andersson, to launch its new Swedish office in September 2022. The Swedish office is led by chemistry patent attorney Inga-Lill Andersson, who joined from AWA. The other three attorneys are Ida Christensen, a former Swedish patent office examiner and biotech patent attorney from Brann; Rikard Kånge, a chemistry specialist from Groth & Co; and digital tech patent attorney Daniel Enetoft.

In November 2022, the firm announced its legal practice partnership with French IP firm Amar Goussu Staub to deal with UPC work. The legal practice is known as EIP Amar. Transactions Star Mark Lubbock joined the firm in 2022.

On April 1 2023, Andrew Sharples and Robert Lundie Smith took over from Gary Moss to lead the firm's UK litigation practice. Matthew Jones left the firm in March 2023.