Obtaining a patent is a major undertaking and requires significant investment. The exclusionary rights associated with a granted patent can be a significant competitive advantage. Thus, competitors may have a strong interest in seeking to invalidate your patent so that it does not become an obstacle to their business. On the other hand, it may be important to invalidate through opposition proceedings certain patents obtained by a competitor. In addition, an opposition can sometimes be a means of persuading the other party to come to the negotiating table and settle the dispute.
A granted patent can be challenged within a certain time limit by submitting a statement of reasons why the patent should not have been granted. Such opposition proceedings are worthwhile, whether it is in defense of one's own patent or a challenge to a competitor's patent. Thus, oppositions can be considered a continuation of the patent process in situations where a third party seeks to invalidate a granted patent. This requires specific knowledge and experience in handling opposition and appeal cases to achieve the best possible result. This applies when defending a patent and when opposing a patent.
To manage patent opposition and appeal proceedings efficiently and to make best practices available to our other experts, we have a dedicated team of highly experienced patent attorneys and lawyers with expertise in opposition and appeal matters. This team of experts highlights Berggren's broad expertise in various technical fields and the high level of quality also in handling opposition and appeal matters. Especially in complex cases, a team of multiple people can work more efficiently and effectively than a single person could. Also in oral proceedings, where cases often proceed very quickly, the use of a multi-person team can be practical, as several experts with expertise in the field can complement each other and react more quickly to unexpected situations.
We currently have 15 European patent attorneys and three IP lawyers on our Opposition Team. The team is coordinated by Timo Pursiainen. Timo is an experienced expert in patent infringement cases and has been involved in numerous litigation cases.
If your patent requires defense or you wish to initiate an opposition procedure against an existing patent of another company, please contact Timo or the Berggren contact person assigned to your company.
MORE INFORMATION:
Timo Pursiainen, European Patent Attorney
+358 40 569 1380
timo.pursiainen@berggren.fi