Mr Mrs Miss Ms Dr Other

Mr
Chris
Vaughan

Senior Partner

Leeds Office

Technology engineering

Telephone. +44(0) 113 233 0100
Mobile. +44(0) 779 875 7925
Email. cvaughan@hgf.com
UPC Representative
Our team of specialist European patent litigators, oppositions specialists and patent attorneys bring together an extensive depth of legal and technical knowledge and are qualified to represent you in the UPC.
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Experience

Much of Chris’ practice involves working closely with SMEs, often born out of promising academic research by major UK universities, helping them to develop effective intellectual property strategies and secure multi-million pound investments. He also works with in-house patent attorneys and senior executives at major multinationals, and has expertise in worldwide patent prosecution.

Chris has particular experience in relation to fuel cell technologies, mobile phone antennas, metal coatings, oil and gas exploration, medical devices, civil engineering, electronic article surveillance and endoscopy.

After taking his first degree in natural sciences and a postgraduate diploma in computer science at Christ’s College Cambridge, Chris entered the profession directly in 1991, training with a large private practice firm in London. He qualified in 1995, and joined HGF as a partner in 1999.

Chris is fluent in German, and is experienced in acting before the Opposition and Appeal Divisions of the European Patent Office in Munich.

Chris heads the Engineering team in HGF's Leeds office, and serves as Chair of HGF's Conflicts Committee.

Specialisms

Industries

Services

Qualifications

Patent Attorney

Chartered (UK)
Europe

MA

Natural Sciences (Cantab)

POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMA OR CERTIFICATE

Postgraduate Diploma in Computer Science (Cantab)

POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMA OR CERTIFICATE

Postgraduate Certificate in Intellectual Property Law (London)

POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMA OR CERTIFICATE

Intellectual Property Litigation Certificate

Recognition

"Best for SME IP Strategy - UK", Acquisition International Awards 2015

"UK – Niche Intellectual Property Lawyer of the Year (Academic Spin-Off)", ACQ5 Global Awards 2019

"UK – SME Intellectual Property Lawyer of the Year", ACQ5 Global Awards 2020

CSR

Chris regularly leads tutorials, both in-house and externally, for trainee patent attorneys preparing for UK and European qualifying examinations.

Related News

The EPO Board of Appeal comments on the scope of the morality exclusion from patentability

The recent decision, T1553/22 of the Board of Appeal required the Board to consider the scope of the exclusions from patentability under Article 53(a) EPC. The invention in this case …

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Regulatory Exclusivity for
Medicinal Products in Europe

Video overview: New Medical Products 8 years of data exclusivity, followed by 2 years of market exclusivity. +1 year market exclusivity possible for a new indication showing significant clinical benefit. No exclusivity granted for new formulations or routes of …

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Added Matter - Part 2

Video overview: Pre- and Post-Grant Amendments are governed by Articles 123(2) & 123(3) EPC respectively Before grant, amendments can broaden the claim scope as long as the resulting claim is …

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Added Matter - Part 1

Video overview: What is Added Matter? Added matter occurs when an amendment introduces content that goes beyond what was originally disclosed in the application as filed (Article 123(2) EPC). EPO …

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Patenting Polymorphs at the EPO

Video overview: Novelty and Inventive Step Prior art must necessarily lead to the claimed polymorph to be novelty destroying Watch out for inherent disclosures in prior art—methods may implicitly produce …

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Antibodies

Video overview: EPO Requirements for Antibody Applications The EPO Guidelines (G-II, 6) provide a standardised framework for antibody-related patent issues. Antibodies can be defined by various aspects, including but not …

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Description Amendment Requirements at EPO

Video overview: At the final stage of prosecution, the EPO increasingly insists each patent description must align with the allowed claims to improve clarity and eliminate inconsistencies. However, this strict …

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