Nicholas Wallin

MEng, LLM, CPA, EPA, PAL

Partner

Higher Education

MEng Electronics Systems Engineering, First Class Honours, University of York, 1993-1997. Recipient of British Telecom prize for highest Finals results, 1997

Certificate in Intellectual Property Law, Pass with Credit, Queen Mary and Westfield College, University of London, 1998

LLM Intellectual Property Litigation, Distinction awarded, Nottingham Law School, Nottingham Trent University, 2002-2004

Certificate in Patent Litigation, Pass with Distinction, Nottingham Law School, Nottingham Trent University, 2002-2003

Career to date

Prior to training as a patent attorney Nicholas spent time working at BT’s research labs in Martlesham Heath, Suffolk, in the fields of speech synthesis and 3D computer graphics. Whilst there he was named as an inventor on several patents relating to generating 3D computer models.

Nicholas subsequently trained as a patent attorney at a private practice firm in London and qualified as a UK Chartered Patent Attorney and as a European Patent Attorney in 2001. After qualifying Nicholas worked in-house at BT within the Intellectual Property Department, where he had responsibility for the speech recognition patent portfolio, as well as undertaking much original drafting work. In addition, whilst at BT Nicholas undertook a part-time LLM at Nottingham Law School.

Nicholas joined Withers & Rogers in July 2004, where he continued his patent drafting and prosecution practice, whilst also developing a strong contentious matters practice. In particular, Nicholas gained sufficient experience to be awarded a Litigator’s Certificate in 2005, entitling him to conduct High Court IP litigation, and since then has litigated cases in the High Court, Patents County Court and Patent Office. Nicholas became a partner in 2006.

Personal Skills

Nicholas has a solid understanding of many fundamental enabling technologies throughout the electronics and communications fields, studied to undergraduate level, and which Nicholas finds of great help in drafting and prosecuting new patent applications for such inventions. Nicholas also has an interest in contentious IP matters, and particularly patent and design litigation, and associated civil procedure, and regularly applies such specialist knowledge where possible in his daily work. Nicholas is also actively involved with the training of European patent attorneys, and regularly lectures at CEIPI, in Strasbourg, as well as giving tutorials in London.

Sector Experience

Communications related technologies; consumer electronics related technologies; general mechanical devices.

Client Experience

Nicholas has worked and continues to work for a number of blue-chip companies, many of which are household names, including BT plc, ICI plc, and Intel Corp. Nicholas also works for smaller UK technology companies, principally within the telecoms and software sectors, such as Ubinetics VPT, and Aeroflex. Internationally, Nicholas is also instructed by several Japanese, United States, and Korean companies, many of which are recognised leaders in the field of consumer electronics.

Notable Successes

In Spring 2003 Nicholas was a member of the team that successfully defended an opposition from Siemens and Ericsson against a BT patent relating to voice activity detectors for use within GSM mobile telephones. The patent was sold the same day to LG Electronics Inc. More recently, Nicholas successfully enforced an unregistered design right, commencing litigation in the Patents County Court to force a settlement which involved payment of damages and the infringer taking a licence.

On a personal note...

I am a keen music fan and regularly attend concerts at venues throughout London. In addition I have recently developed an interest in golf, and am (slowly!) improving my game. Finally, I am also football fan supporting Middlesbrough FC, and have travelled both within the UK and Europe to attend their games.

Contact Details

Tel: +44 (0) 20 7663 3500
Fax: +44 (0) 20 7663 3550