Peter Finnie - IT & Engineering

Partner

Peter is a recommended Patent Attorney in the UK Legal 500 and Chambers UK surveys of the UK profession. To quote from Chambers UK, "the 'commercially minded' Peter Finnie is 'remarkably good with start-ups and knows what a new company needs to do to protect its IP'".

"Peter is a rare animal, an intellectual property specialist that understands the value of IP in all its forms, can provide sane advice to entrepreneurs, is a good guy who actively adds value to a company. If you are thinking about IP in your business, you should give him a shout."

"Peter's domain knowledge and pro-active approach have been key to the timely delivery of a relevant and appropriate IP strategy. Peter is a pleasure to work with and I would have no hesitation recommending him to any high tech start up."

"Anyone can write a patent application and with a little luck it might even stick. But if you want it 'Bomb Proof' go to Peter. Peter will dig right to the heart of the idea and build protective walls around it like no one else. Peter is very candid and if he thinks something isn’t patentable he'll tell you. Archetypal patent attorney he is not, bleeding edge legal word-smith he most definitely is."

The core of his practice is represented by UK start-up companies for whom he advises on the development of IP strategies as an integral part of business planning and fund raising. He has helped guide his clients through a number of successful funding rounds involving both UK and foreign investors. Peter is regularly asked to speak about the commercial aspects of intellectual property, and has given seminars at the London Business School and also the National Enterprise Academy (established by Peter Jones in 2010). He is an active member of The Business Leaders Network in Cambridge and London.

On the flip side of this work, he has also acted for a number of private equity investors. His experience in dealing with start-up companies means he is able to offer investors a pragmatic and cost-effective approach to the evaluation of risk associated with technology investments, mergers & acquisitions and IPOs to help ensure they get the best deal. Investors have been a source of a number of introductions to start-up companies who are now clients of GJE.

Peter represents GJE at the Cambridge Capital Group, which offers early-stage funding for technology companies.

Peter has considerable experience before the UK Intellectual Property Office and EPO handling complex cases relating to the protection of computer-implemented inventions. He holds a position as co-chairman of the AIPPI (International Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property) Committee Q132 which considers these issues from an international perspective. He is also a Council member of the UK Group of AIPPI.

"Peter is an excellent patent attorney of considerable experience. He is easy to deal with, professional and provides clear advice that reflects a detailed understanding of complex legal and technical issues. His ability to explain and navigate the minefield that is software and ICT patent protection in Europe is exceptional. I have no hesitation in recommending Peter to any prospective client."

Peter has a keen interest in aviation having completed several hundred hours flying training with the Royal Air Force at Durham University. He also enjoys mountain biking, golf, cricket, tennis, walking and fly fishing.

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