Our People Alex Burns

Alex works on all aspects of the patent application process in the electronics, physics, computer software and engineering sectors including drafting and prosecution of applications, and the handling of oppositions (both offensive and defensive) and appeals. He also has experience providing detailed opinions on infringement and validity of granted patents. His work frequently includes arguing in favour of the patentability of software and business method applications at the European Patent Office, during both the prosecution and appeal stages.

He works on registered and unregistered designs too, including filing and providing infringement/validity opinions.

Areas of Expertise

• Optoelectronics
• Medical devices and bioinformatics
• Computer software and business methods
• Television systems and video recognition technology
• Artificial intelligence and machine learning, including neural networks
• Data and image processing methods, especially those with a mathematical focus

Clients

Alex works with technology companies of all sizes from the UK, Europe and the US, as well as attorney firms in the US and elsewhere. He also manages worldwide patent portfolios for several UK-based clients, including universities.

Background

Alex has BA and MSci degrees in Natural Sciences (Experimental and Theoretical Physics) from Cambridge University, and a Postgraduate Certificate in IP from Queen Mary University. He joined Mewburn Ellis LLP in 2013, qualifying as a Chartered Patent Attorney in 2016 and European Patent Attorney in 2017.

Recommendations

Alex is recognised as a 'patent practitioner to watch' - MIP IP Stars 2021