What is the biggest challenge currently facing your clients, and how are you helping them manage this? 

The biggest challenge that my clients face is navigating the numerous litigation options available in Europe. There is no one-size-fits-all solution. While the UPC offers advantages such as broader market coverage and shorter timelines, it may not be the best choice for every client. I recommend a thorough analysis of the patent portfolio and even the individual assets to allow for informed decisions on which litigation path is most suitable.

How can SEP holders integrate the UPC into their European and global strategies?

It is highly probable that the UPC will adopt a balanced approach to SEPs. However, there are no established cases at the UPC as of yet. As a result, the same caution applies as with any SEP cases – SEP holders should proceed carefully, ensuring that they strictly adhere to the formal requirements for asserting their rights.

What has been your proudest professional achievement to date, and what makes it stand out? 

Instead of focusing on any one milestone, I am proud of the long-term relationships we’ve built and maintained with our clients. Contributing to their success is what gives me a sense of professional achievement. It’s the ongoing trust and collaboration that make the work meaningful.

How do you predict client demands might shift over the next five years, and what are you doing to prepare for this? 

For the past 14 years, my practice has been primarily focused on litigation – beginning with telecoms and video coding and now shifting towards implementation patents in the electronics sector. Leveraging this experience, I actively support clients in developing and prosecuting their portfolios. My team utilises advanced software tools to identify potential assets for assertion, and we collaborate with a network of experts to thoroughly review individual patents. This approach helps clients tailor their portfolios to meet evolving needs and positions them to adapt to future shifts in demand.

You specialise in physics, software and communications engineering. How do you approach infringement cases in such complex and highly technical industries?

My technical background plays a key role in handling infringement cases. Over the years, I’ve built a network of technical experts, which is crucial for fact finding and developing strong infringement cases. In fast-moving UPC and German proceedings, it’s essential to prepare fallback positions early on to reinforce a patent’s validity. These fallback strategies need to be aligned with a robust infringement case that has been built beforehand.