Stephen Gardiner

Background

Stephen is a qualified UK and European patent attorney. He joined Dehns in 2001 after graduating with a Masters degree in Physics from the University of Oxford and became an Associate of the firm in 2008, Senior Associate in 2018 and Partner in 2020.

Type of clients and client work

Stephen acts for clients of all sizes, ranging from the individuals, through small and medium sized companies up to multinationals and he is mindful of the differing needs of these clients, in particular for smaller clients, fitting IP into a cost-effective strategy for growth. Stephen acts for a number of UK and Norwegian companies, including start-ups and TTOs.

This work includes drafting and filing new patent applications and prosecuting them through to grant. He has experience in handling international patent portfolios for clients in the UK and Europe, providing advice on patenting strategy as well as providing infringement and validity opinions.

He also handles registered design work, including advising on filing strategies and then filing applications in the UK and Europe as well as other countries around the world.

On the contentious side, Stephen has been involved in a number of opposition and appeal proceedings at the European Patent Office and have also been involved in IP disputes involving patents, registered designs, unregistered design right and copyright, including taking part in mediation.

Expertise

Stephen handles work in various physics, engineering and computer related fields including electronic and medical devices, signal processing, software, ventilation equipment, renewable energy sources, fuel cells, gas turbines and various automotive and construction technologies.

Qualifications and Memberships

• Authorised Representative before the Unified Patent Court (UPC) (2023)
• UK Chartered Patent Attorney, 2007
• European Patent Attorney, 2007
• Certificate in IP Law, University of London, 2002

• Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys
• Member of the European Patent Institute

• Basic Litigation Skills Course, 2017

Higher Education

MPhys, University of Oxford, Physics, 2001

Other

Publications:

‘Is it patently obvious?’, Financial Times, May 2014.

‘Patent Court Decision Clarifies Mental Act Patentability Exclusion’, World Intellectual Property Report, December 2011.

‘Quicker trials at lower cost’, SME Web, December 2010.

‘No more need to fear patent court costs’, Fresh Business Thinking, November 2010.

‘Bringing down the cost of justice’, Growth Business, October 2010.