Mr Mrs Miss Ms Dr Other

Mr
David
Akerman

Patent Attorney

Newcastle Office York Office

Engineering

Telephone. +44(0) 191 205 8360
Email. [email protected]

Experience

David’s wide-ranging IP experience includes undertaking patent searching and freedom to operate projects, patent drafting and prosecution, and developing IP strategies to match the commercial priorities of a business.

Before qualifying as a UK and European Patent Attorney, David gained 20 years' IP management experience through in-house roles in textile and consumer-goods companies who were making significant investment in innovation and IP.

David has had significant involvement in contentious IP matters in Europe, USA and Japan, including disputes involving patents, designs, trade dress, breach of confidence and know how. He has also had involvement in IP due diligence in company and asset purchase projects.

After graduating from the University of Manchester, Institute of Science and Technology with an honours degree in Chemistry, David stayed on to undertake a PhD in Textile Chemistry. His research investigated the mechanism of oxidative bleaching of dyed cotton substrates during domestic laundering. The project was funded by industry and led to the publication of a patent application and three academic papers.

Qualifications

Patent Attorney

Chartered (UK)
Europe


BSC

Chemistry

PHD

Textile Chemistry

POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMA OR CERTIFICATE

PG Certificate in Intellectual Property

Publications

HGF client SymPhysis Medical secures €2.2M to develop palliative care solutions

View publication online

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If you would like to discuss how HGF could help you, contact one of our IP specialists.