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

Inside Cambridge’s quest for bioactive structures

Inside Cambridge’s quest for bioactive structures

by Isobel Stone

Professors Serena Best and Ruth Cameron revealed the inner workings of this remarkable research group, Cambridge Centre for Medical Materials. Forward: features are independent pieces written for ...

UPC Weekly -  Limits on jurisdiction outside the UPC when invalidity looms

UPC Weekly -  Limits on jurisdiction outside the UPC when invalidity looms

by Matthew Naylor

2026 Week 4 The extent of the jurisdiction asserted by the UPC is a hot topic at the moment. On 22 January 2026, the UPC Court of Appeal (CoA) held the oral hearing in the appeal against the ...

UPC Weekly -  Purpose-based interpretation avoids infringement of medical device claim but defendant still on the hook for costs

UPC Weekly -  Purpose-based interpretation avoids infringement of medical device claim but defendant still on the hook for costs

by Matthew Naylor

2026 Week 3 Being sued for patent infringement at the UPC is a full-on experience. The front-loading of the procedure and the urgent time limits mean that far-reaching strategic decisions need to be ...

What is the battery sector excited about in 2026?

What is the battery sector excited about in 2026?

by Alexander Cavell

Happy 2026! To mark the New Year, I recently asked some battery experts in my network about the technologies that they’re most looking forward to watching over the next twelve months. These experts ...

Front loading and pointers to the solution – the view from the UPC Court of Appeal

Front loading and pointers to the solution – the view from the UPC Court of Appeal

by Matthew Naylor

2026 Week 2 After the Edwards and Amgen decisions in late November 2025, we now have a further UPC Court of Appeal (CoA) decision, reviewing the outcome of first instance revocation proceedings at ...

The UPC going into 2026 – three key takeaways

The UPC going into 2026 – three key takeaways

by Matthew Naylor

2026 Week 1 2025 was a seriously busy year for the UPC. We came into the year with one case management system and we left it with a shiny new one. We go into 2026 with a new court fee schedule. In ...

Forward Magazines Overlapping 6-compressed

Mewburn Ellis

FORWARD MAGAZINE

Mewburn Ellis Forward is a biannual publication that celebrates the best of innovation and exploration. Through its pages we hope to inform and entertain, but also to encourage discussion about the most compelling developments taking place in the scientific and entrepreneurial world. Along the way, we’ll engage with the IP challenges that international organisations face every day.