Scientific instruments

Scientific instruments support research and development in many scientific fields.

Demand for developments in scientific instruments is driven particularly by research in the biotechnology and R&D in WIMP detection fields. Underpinned by hard science, developments push science to its limits, and is an industry where strong IP protection for underlying technology can reap commercial rewards. Equally, since proprietary core technology is a key feature of the commercial IP landscape for scientific instruments, competitor workarounds must always be considered.  

These are two sides of the same IP protection coin, and HGF is at the forefront of helping our clients navigate these commercial realities. 

The large, passionate scientific instruments team at HGF has provided a full spectrum of IP services in this field for over 20 years. The specialist attorneys work with multinational organisations, universities and research institutions to develop their core ideas into market leading instrumentation used across the world given their higher qualifications, PhDs and masters degrees in physics and electronics along with their in-house expertise within the relevant industries.

Spanning optics, quantum technology, electricity and magnetism, surface structures, horology, nuclear technology and other sectors, the team performs IP portfolio management, patent drafting and prosecution, clearance and landscape searches, due diligence, transactional and litigation services. The highly experienced specialists are as adept in developing economically efficient IP strategies as they are handling oppositions in the scientific instruments field, attending significant numbers of Oral Proceedings and successfully actioning enforcement against alleged infringers. 

The scientific instruments team offers a single point of contact for clients, whilst enabling smooth transfer of work between jurisdictions, and its seamless integration with HGF Law enables rapid and on-point enforcement and licensing advice to be provided on a case by case basis.

Latest updates

Innovation protection recovery begins in the Aircraft Engine Sector

With patent filing data for 2022 now available, we follow up our January 2023 article with an IP review update for the major players in the aircraft engine sector. Filing …

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Patents and AI – An interview with ChatGPT

It is almost beyond doubt that AI is going to have a significant impact on our lives and industries. The field of intellectual property will not be exempt from this. …

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Eye-Catching Innovations in Jet Engine Technology, Part 2: Noise Reduction

Continuing my series of short blog posts on developments in jet engine technology revealed by 2023 patent application publications, I turn to Rolls-Royce (R-R). It’s interesting to note that there …

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Navigating the quantum leap: patenting the future of quantum software

For many years, successfully patenting software-related inventions had a reputation – in our experience unjustified – as being difficult and confusing.  Whilst most legal systems have now developed a consistent …

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High Court’s AI Patent Ruling: A Turning Point for the Patentability of AI?

A recent decision by the UK High Court has delivered a highly favourable verdict for AI innovators, which could change the way that the patentability of AI-related inventions is assessed …

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Investing in Patents for Space Tech: Safeguarding Innovations in the Space Sector

The advent of commercial launch capabilities has opened up space as a unique frontier for innovation. However, in space, any acts of patent infringement almost always go unseen. Thus, it’s …

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AI-Powered Personalised Medicine

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into healthcare has ushered in a new era of personalised medicine, promising more effective and tailored treatments for patients. Traditional medical approaches often adopt …

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Event - 11th October 2023

Lexology Webinar: Exploring Common Ground and Contrasts in Patenting Software Inventions

Time: 14.00 – 15.00 UTC HGF Patent Director, Dr Janine Swarbrick will be speaking on the upcoming Lexology webinar: Across Continents: Exploring Common Ground and Contrasts in Patenting Software Inventions …

Event details

Let's talk

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