Expertise:

Graham's expertise is in European patent prosecution, particularly patent oppositions and appeals. Graham spent a number of years as a substantive examiner at the European Patent Office (EPO) in Munich, where he examined engineering applications and served as an opposition division member. Since joining Murgitroyd at their Glasgow office in 1996 he has developed the firm's EPO opposition and appeal practice, and advises clients on both defending their own European patents in opposition, and challenging the patents of competitors, often in combination with litigation in one or more European countries. He has provided patent litigation support in the UK, Germany and the Netherlands. He has advised clients on patent entitlement matters in the UK.

Graham's clients include large multinational engineering firms, where he works alongside their in-house patent departments, and smaller businesses, such as manufacturing companies, start-ups and product developers, where he gives clear, commercial advice to companies who may not have their own IP experts. He has successfully prosecuted patent applications and managed opposition disputes in the fields of diesel engines, bicycles, renewable energy, oil and gas production, packaging, advertising display apparatus, hydraulic tools and civil engineering.

Graham's degree was an MA in Engineering from Cambridge University. He qualified as a chartered engineer, and worked on road and rail bridges, motorway construction, North Sea oil platforms and highway safety fencing before entering the patent profession. His experience as an engineer gives Graham a thorough appreciation for the IP problems facing clients in engineering and manufacturing, and helps him shape effective solutions to those problems. He served for 8 years as a member of the European Qualifying Examination committee for European patent attorneys. He sits on the Joint Business Practice Committee of the UK's Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys (CIPA) and Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys (ITMA). For four years he has been involved in the IP Committee of the Law Society of Scotland.

As Director, Professional Practice, Graham chairs Murgitroyd's Practice Board and has responsibility for the professional activities of 80 plus patent and trade mark attorneys and assistants throughout the firm. He is also a director of Murgitroyd Group PLC, the holding company of Murgitroyd & Company Limited. He has travelled regularly to Japan and the United States to meet clients and to speak at seminars on European patent practice, including speaking at AIPLA roadshows. In 2011 Graham moved to the firm's Munich Office to establish a Murgitroyd hub for EPO opposition and appeal proceedings "on the doorstep" of the EPO.

Qualifications:

Chartered Engineer, member of the Institution of Civil Engineers
Chartered Patent Attorney (UK)
European Patent Attorney
European Trade Mark and Design Attorney

Practice Jurisdiction(s):

Europe (before European Patent Office)
Europe (before EU Trade Mark/Design Registration Office)
UK

Language(s):

English
French
German

Personal Interest:

Piano, guitar, singing, walking, football, family, European culture.