Optics &

Photonics

Innovations in optics and photonics underpin advancements in high-tech manufacturing, faster communications, medical diagnostics, high-power lasers, nuclear threat identification, solar power and other technologies essential to the health and safety of people worldwide and offers the potential for a scalable quantum computer. Many of today’s ‘must-have’ technologies such as smart phones, high definition TVs, LED lighting and digital cameras are enabled by optics and photonics.

Our patent attorneys have a wealth of experience in the fields of optics, photonics and laser science, with many holding masters and PhD qualifications in this technology space. In addition they have a vast amount of relevant IP expertise at all stages of the patent lifecycle including patent drafting, prosecution, infringement and validity opinions, freedom to operate work, and oppositions. Their patent work covers a range of specific technologies including everything from optoelectronics to medical imaging, laser development and quantum structures to LiDAR equipment and imaging techniques.

Our patent experts really understand the physics behind these inventions and relish the opportunity to work with you to patent this technology.

EPO Opposition Trends in Engineering, Electronics and Software-compressed

Special Report

EPO Opposition Trends in Engineering, Electronics and Software

In autumn 2020, we analysed more than 8000 opposition cases filed at the European Patent Office (EPO) over the last 12 years, studying the timelines for hundreds of engineering, electronics and software oppositions.

The research enabled us to see how oppositions have been affected by procedural changes at the European Patent Office and by the Covid-19 pandemic. With a focus on Transport, Medical Devices, Telecommunications and Software, the report also looks at how opposition outcomes vary across the four different technology sectors and which players are the most active.

Read our blogs

Patenting Quantum at the European Patent Office: when broad claims can become a risk

Patenting Quantum at the European Patent Office: when broad claims can become a risk

by Johannes Biniok

Suppose a quantum computer solves a fluid dynamics optimisation problem, outputting a bit string for which a customer pays good money. Is the bit string itself a “product”? Most people might ...

From Chatbots to Reasoning Machines: the Next Phase of AI Innovation

From Chatbots to Reasoning Machines: the Next Phase of AI Innovation

by Richard Johnson

When Microsoft announced MAI-Thinking-1 in June 2026, it framed the model not merely as another chatbot, but as a “reasoning model” built for software engineering, mathematics and enterprise ...

UPC Weekly - Inventive step at the UPC – mere aggregation of features?

UPC Weekly - Inventive step at the UPC – mere aggregation of features?

by Matthew Naylor

UPC Weekly brings you timely, thoughtful and joined-up insight into the evolving landscape of patent litigation at the Unified Patent Court. 2026 Week 30 Something that crops up a lot at the EPO is ...

Commercialisation of Quantum Magnetometry in Space: ESA’s Selection of a Diamond-Based Sensing Consortium

Commercialisation of Quantum Magnetometry in Space: ESA’s Selection of a Diamond-Based Sensing Consortium

by Urs Ferber

The European Space Agency’s (ESA) recent selection of a Honeywell Aerospace-led consortium, comprising Honeywell, Quantum Brilliance, and Jagiellonian University, marks a further notable step toward ...

The UKIPO's New Chapter for AI and Software Patents: A Welcome Alignment with Europe

The UKIPO's New Chapter for AI and Software Patents: A Welcome Alignment with Europe

by Emma Graham

On 14 July 2026, the UK Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO) published new statutory guidance on how patent applications will be searched and examined following the UK Supreme Court's landmark ...

UPC Weekly - The Lazarus Manoeuvre

UPC Weekly - The Lazarus Manoeuvre

by Matthew Naylor

UPC Weekly brings you timely, thoughtful and joined-up insight into the evolving landscape of patent litigation at the Unified Patent Court. 2026 Week 29 This is what a Court of Appeal is for – ...

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