John Somerton

Background

John joined Dehns in 2016 following his graduation from Durham University, where he received an MPhys degree in Physics. He studied a variety of topics including electronics, laser physics and quantum computing and in his final year he investigated methodologies for simulating the interstellar medium and galaxy formation.

John qualified as a UK and European Patent Attorney in 2021 and became an Associate of the firm in 2022.

Type of clients and client work

John works with a range of clients including large multinationals, small companies and universities. He regularly meets with inventors to discuss and advise on the patentability of new concepts, prepares and files patent applications and prosecutes applications through to grant through engagement with various patent offices around the world.

John also has significant experience in opposition proceedings at the European Patent Office and before the Boards of Appeal, and in providing advice on other contentious matters.  John recently handled a dispute heard by the UK Intellectual Property Office over entitlement to a family of patents.

Expertise

John works on cases covering a variety of subject matter within physical sciences and engineering, including electronics, medical devices and composite materials.

 Qualifications and Memberships

• Authorised Representative before the Unified Patent Court (UPC) (2023)
• Intellectual Property Litigation Certificate, 2023
• UK Patent Attorney, 2021
• European Patent Attorney, 2021
• Certificate in Intellectual Property Law, 2017 (Queen Mary University of London)
• Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys (CIPA)

Higher Education

MPhys, Physics, Durham University, 2016

Other

John acted as the Regional Informals Secretary for Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys (CIPA) in the Oxfordshire region from 2017 – 2019. In this role he arranged events for trainee patent attorneys and trainee trademark attorneys from different firms across Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, and Wiltshire. He also liaised with the CIPA Council regarding matters that were of interest to those training in the profession.