Semiconductors

A diverse industry reliant on IP protection

As semiconductor technology permeates into ever more diverse aspects of our lives, the opportunities for innovation are ever greater. The industry continues to enjoy advances in mainstream microchips for computing and telecommunications, alongside exciting developments focused on a huge range of specific applications, from AI to automotive, from the IOT to quantum computers. On top of this, semiconductor devices used in optoelectronics, solar energy generation, display technology amongst many other fields continue to yield advances in materials, device structures and manufacturing processes.

Breadth and depth of technical expertise

Our attorneys have experience across the semiconductor industry. We have attorneys with academic backgrounds throughout Physics, Chemistry, Engineering, Electronics and Computer Science. Some have worked as technical specialists before entering the patent profession, and all have gained extensive knowledge and understanding through their work with clients in the sector. The size of the team, along with the diversity of their background, means that we are able to select attorneys to match the needs of clients no matter where their technical focus may be.

Skilled advocates and pragmatic managers

Our team includes attorneys with long experience of EPO opposition and appeal procedure, who are frequently asked to take over responsibility for complex and high value cases. The team is equally equipped to manage high volume portfolios efficiently and effectively, advising on and adopting strategies that streamline workloads and ensure cost effectiveness. In either case, our teams direct highly skilled advice in targeted ways that secure the right strategic outcomes for our clients.

Frodo Ferro

Partner

Scott Finlayson

Associate

Jonathan Morrall

Partner

Mark Smith

Senior Associate

Tomos Thomas

Associate

Caitlin Tysoe

Trainee Patent Attorney

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Electronic circuits

We have a strong record of success in obtaining grant of applications relating to novel analogue circuits, including in the fields of power electronics and precision measurement, where the existing IP space is densely populated. In such technology areas, an in-depth understanding of not only circuit topology, but also of the often subtle interactions between circuit topology and dynamic circuit operation, is valuable in order to carve out an inventive niche. Our attorneys have not only theoretical, but also practical, experience gained in industry, which we combine with our legal expertise to argue persuasively in front of the European and UK Patent Offices, and manage patent prosecution around the world.

CMOS devices

Our attorneys have worked with both fabless semiconductor companies and device manufacturers with a focus on high volume patent drafting and prosecution. In particular, our attorneys are expert in guiding patent applications smoothly through the European Patent Office, even when taking on cases originally drafted in other jurisdictions, such as the United States or China. Particular experience includes working with a European based wireless semiconductor device manufacturer to rapidly build a global patent portfolio around a new product line.

Photovoltaics

We have worked with clients focused on improving efficiency in solar energy collection, through improved device structures and novel semiconductor materials. Particular expertise relates to III-V semiconductor alloys adapted to optimise bandgap energy ranges and reduce thermal inefficiencies. Other experience involves devices optimised for optoelectronics applications.

CNT and Graphene devices

Our attorneys have worked with a wide range of clients looking at the highly innovative space of fabricating electronic devices that incorporate Carbon Nanotubes and Graphene. Technology has involved optimising fabrication of the CNTs and Graphene itself through to novel device structures and manufacturing techniques, e.g. for CNFETs. Patent strategies in this area require a long term view, and we look forward to working with our clients as they convert these exciting innovations to commercially realisable devices over the coming years.

Related thought leadership

The semiconductor materials bringing clarity to the metaverse

Since the rebrand of Facebook to Meta, there has been a lot of buzz around the metaverse and how it will impact our society. The extension of ourselves that we present in virtual spaces is quickly changing our sense of reality.

Improving the enforceability of patents in the semiconductor sector

Generally, it is not possible simply to look at a semiconductor device and discern how it works – at least not with the naked eye. When considering patent protection for innovations in the sector, practitioners must carefully consider how infringement by competitors might be detected.

Do semiconductor patent strategies need to swing towards Europe?

As focus grows on the robustness of the semiconductor supply chain, Europe is looking towards increasing market share over the coming decade. For patent strategies, this likely means only one thing: strengthening patent portfolios in Europe.

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