An opposition strategy can make or break a business. Whether you’re at the receiving end of an opposition, or are looking to clear the way for your own products or services, it’s important to get it right. Our Special Report 'EPO Opposition Trends in Engineering, Electronics and Software' provides fresh insights into this complex area. 

The Mewburn Ellis team have a proven track record in opposition proceedings. We currently have in excess of 300 live patent oppositions at the EPO and have successfully defended and attacked hundreds over the years. We understand that successful oppositions require not only deep technical expertise and knowledge of the subject matter under scrutiny, but a forensic understanding of the evolving procedural aspects of the European Patent Office (EPO) process and timelines. 

In autumn 2020, we analysed more than 8000 opposition cases filed at the EPO over the last 12 years, studying the timelines for hundreds of engineering, electronics and software oppositions. Using a tailored computer programme built by Camille Terfve, associate in our life sciences team, we were able to identify trends and answer key questions. Through this research we wanted to truly understand how oppositions are affected by procedural changes and the Covid-19 pandemic so we can advise our clients on the best opposition strategies to succeed.

As engineering, electronics and software cover a vast range of disciplines, we focused in on four sectors: Transport, Medical Devices, Telecommunications and Software. These sectors were chosen not only for their importance as measured by number of patent applications and number of oppositions, but also their significance in the wider economy. In the report we look at whether opposition outcomes are the same across different technology sectors and which players are the most active in oppositions. 

 

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Eng Opp Report 1-1

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.

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Meet the team behind the report

Emma Graham

Partner, Patent Attorney

Stephen Gill

Partner, Patent Attorney

Christoph Moeller - May 2022

Partner, Patent Attorney

Richard Johnson

Partner, Patent Attorney

James Leach - Oct 2022

Partner, Patent Attorney

Simon Parry - Oct 2022

Partner, Patent Attorney

Andrew Mears

Partner, Patent Attorney

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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.

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