Peter is highly experienced at EPO Opposition and Appeal proceedings, having been lead attorney in a large number of cases over the past fifteen years. Peter has frequently represented his clients in person at the European Patent Office in Munich and the Hague, and in recent years he has handled numerous oral proceedings by video conference from Quayside IP’s dedicated videoconferencing facility.

Peter has successfully defended patents from attack by multiple opponents, and has collaborated with co-opponents as well as operating as sole opponent on many occasions. Peter has faced a myriad of situations with every case bringing unique challenges, for example: dealing with new evidence filed shortly before oral proceedings; navigating adjournments in oral proceedings and the ensuing issues; cases involving prior use and the hearing of expert witnesses; taking on cases part-way through an opposition or at the appeal stage and redirecting strategies to achieve a successful outcome; working in different languages and with live translation; cases involving parallel national infringement proceedings and  interventions during EPO appeals; achieving awards of costs from the Opposition Division and Boards of Appeal; and achieving revocation of a mechanical patent by the Boards of Appeal based on the ground of insufficiency.

Peter regularly works on appeal cases and has a deep understanding of the Rules of Procedure and evolving case law. He ensures that his cases and request strategies are optimised for the appeal process from the outset of the opposition procedure.

Peter has an enviable record of success, which is presented below in comparison to the EPO’s average outcomes based upon published statistics.