Robert Skone James - IT & Engineering

Partner

Robert graduated from Cambridge University with a degree in Natural Science specialising in experimental physics and joined Gill Jennings & Every in 1977. He qualified as a Chartered Patent Attorney and European Patent Attorney in 1981 and joined the Partnership in 1985. As a result of Robert’s special expertise in patent litigation, he became one of the first Patent Attorney Litigators in 2002.

His primary work involves patent and design prosecution for major UK and foreign clients such as Xerox, Oracle, Hasbro, Ishida, and De La Rue. This involves Robert in regular appearances at the European Patent Office before the various opposition and appeal boards and, on a number of occasions, before the Enlarged Board of Appeal. In the UK, he has been involved in several major patent litigation matters while also coordinating multi jurisdictional litigation within Europe.

In view of Robert’s general technical background, he handles work in a great variety of fields. Examples include software, image processing, interactive television, cryptography, database handling, air traffic control systems, internet and other communication and telecommunication technologies, holographics, printing, photocopiers, packaging machinery, and welding.

Robert believes strongly that it is important regularly to meet clients and inventors and to have first hand knowledge of a client's business so that he can advise clients fully on the strategy they should adopt when considering the protection and enforcement of their Intellectual Property. To that end, he frequently visits clients in the UK and overseas. Japan, where Robert has many clients, is a destination which he particularly enjoys visiting.

In November 2009, Robert was elected Chairman of the firm's Managing Committee, while, on the professional side, Robert is a member of AIPPI, FICPI,and the CIPA Patent Attorney Litigator's Society.

For relaxation, he plays violin in a number of groups and orchestras in and around London.

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