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Mathys & Squire is delighted to have been recognised in JUVE Patent’s UK rankings 2025 for the sixth consecutive year in the fields of ‘Pharma and biotechnology’, ‘Medical technology’, ‘Chemistry’, ‘Digital communication and computer technology’ and ‘Electronics’.

As well as a practice-wide recommendation for the firm, four of our Partners have been recognised as Recommended Individuals: Philippa Griffin, Hazel Ford and James Wilding for ‘Pharma and Biotechnology‘, and Chris Hamer for ‘Chemistry‘.

The JUVE Patent rankings are a result of thorough research conducted by an independent team of journalists, who send out questionnaires and conduct interviews with lawyers, clients, legal academics and judges. In the 2025 edition, UK patent practices, solicitors and barristers who, according to the in-depth research, have a leading reputation in the UK patent law market are celebrated.

To see the JUVE Patent UK 2025 rankings in full, please click here.

On 12th March, Mathys & Squire sponsored the 2025 NLIL conference for the second year running, hosted at LSE. Partners  James Pitchford and Anna Gregson , Technical Assistant Louis Brosnan and Trainee Trade Mark Attorney Tanya Rahman all spoke at the event.

The Non-Law Into Law (NLIL) Conference was first held in 2024 and returned last week after their debut success last year. The event was tailored to students from a diverse range of academic disciplines studying a total of 117 different degree subjects, and successfully highlighted the various pathways available for those interested in pursuing a legal career, even though they may not be currently studying law.

Hosted at LSE, societies from various universities including Imperial College, Warwick, UCL, Durham and Queen Mary were in attendance, with over 300 tickets sold to students who actively listened and engaged with a series of panel discussions, presentations and interactive workshops.

Photo from the 2025 NLIL Conference

From our Mathys & Squire team, we led an IP Workshop, which presented an introduction to Intellectual Property to the attending students, covering the various areas of patents, trade marks, registered designs and copyright, as well as a Careers in IP seminar, examining the different professional paths within the field.

It was a pleasure to attend the event and our team was extremely impressed with the engagement and enthusiasm demonstrated by the attending students.

Find more about the NLIL conference on their website here.

Mathys & Squire LLP is delighted to have achieved a significant victory for our client D.W. Windsor Ltd in its patent infringement claim against Urbis Schréder Ltd in the High Court.  DW Windsor are a leading British designer and manufacturer of lighting solutions, found in areas such as Tower Bridge, the London Eye, St Paul’s Vista, and the Square Mile in the City of London.

Mathys & Squire LLP is delighted to have achieved a significant victory for our client DW Windsor Ltd in its patent infringement claim against Urbis Schréder Ltd in the High Court.  DW Windsor are a leading British designer and manufacturer of lighting solutions, found in areas such as Tower Bridge, the London Eye, St Paul’s Vista, and the Square Mile in the City of London.

The dispute concerned two patents drafted and prosecuted by Mathys & Squire LLP directed to DW Windsor’s Garda AntiClimb® range, a surface-mounted linear lighting system for illuminating walled pathways.  

Nearly two years ago, DW Windsor commenced patent infringement proceedings in the Intellectual Property Enterprise Court with the aim of enforcing its patents and protecting its technology. Schréder denied infringement and counterclaimed for revocation of the patents. By the time of the trial, the issues before the Court were limited to validity.

The trial took place in the Intellectual Property Enterprise Court on 17 and 18 December 2024, and in a judgment handed down on 14 March 2025, Her Honour Judge Melissa Clarke held that key claims of DW Windsor’s patents were valid and therefore infringed. The defendant was therefore unsuccessful in its attempt to seek to revoke D.W. Windsor’s patents.

Andrew White, Partner at Mathys & Squire LLP commented: “We are delighted to secure the resounding victory for our client DW Windsor.  DW Windsor is a highly innovative British business with IP at its core. 

While litigation is rarely a first choice for many, sometimes it is necessary to stand up for your IP rights and in this case D.W. Windsor were willing to protect their investment by taking enforcement action through the courts. 

This judgement confirms DW Windsor’s position as innovators in the field of lighting solutions and that they are not afraid to stand up for their IP rights.  It was a pleasure to work with the client Alan Grant, Lucy Marlow of Fox Williams, and Adrian de Froment of Serle Court on this matter.”

DW Windsor added:“We’re delighted with the result of the Judgment and the knowledge that our patents will continue to provide protection to the business.

Innovation has been at the heart of DW Windsor since the business was founded, and our Garda Anti Climb products exemplify our commitment to creating new lighting solutions that improve the status quo by leveraging our considerable experience, embracing technology and challenging convention through innovative design and engineering excellence.

We invest heavily in research and development and encourage free-thinking in our technical team to push the boundaries in lighting product design and as a result invest in intellectual property and protect and enforce those rights should they be infringed.

I’d like to thank and acknowledge the tireless professionalism of our legal team, including Lucy Marlow of Fox Williams, Adrian de Froment of Serle Court and Andrew White of Mathys & Squire who helped secure this victory.”

The full judgement can be read here.

This press release was featured in The Solicitor’s Journal.

Mathys & Squire LLP are a full-service IP firm with unrivalled expertise in patents, trade marks, design protection and litigation.

Commentary by Partner Edd Cavanna has been featured in UKTN and The Patent Lawyer Magazine discussing how the UK patent system might be restricting innovation in the quantum computing sector and how Europe has become a desirable place to patent new technology.

Read the extended press release below.

The UK Intellectual Property Office (UK IPO) may be discouraging innovation in Quantum Computing by making it harder to patent technology in this sector, says intellectual property law firm Mathys & Squire. That risks driving developers of Quantum Computing to patent their inventions in Europe or further afield and risks making the UK a less attractive venue for Quantum Computing R&D.

The UK IPO currently treats quantum computational algorithms the same way as other (classical) software. Software can only be patented in the UK if it can be demonstrated to have a technical effect going beyond mere routine software automation. This usually means an effect on real world processes outside of the computer – for example software that manages a process in a chemical factory, or provides improved image de-noising.

The existing framework for assessing patentability of software has been developed over many years, but can mean that emerging technologies (Artificial Intelligence, Quantum Computing) struggle under old guidelines.

Dr Edd Cavanna, Partner at Mathys & Squire, says: “The UK patent system and its treatment of strategically important technologies like Quantum Computing and AI is overdue a review. The risk is that we will drive cutting edge Quantum Computing designers elsewhere unless we update our approach.”

“Changing the assessment framework may be a challenge but it’s an important step if the UK is going to improve its attractiveness as a location for the Quantum Computing sector.”

The framework for patenting computer software has been developing since the 1970s. Then, much of the technical effect* (required for an invention to avoid software exclusions from patentability) could more clearly be broken down along hardware/software lines. Quantum Computing software allows processing of data in a radically different way to conventional software but is still currently judged on the same basis in the UK. 

Europe a far better prospect for patenting quantum computing tech

By contrast to the UK, Europe’s approach to patenting quantum computing software is a lot more permissive. The UK IPO is not required to undertake a formal search and examination of a patent application until the Examiner is convinced that the invention displays a technical effect. By contrast, the European Patent Office (EPO) will consider all aspects of patentability on filing. This allows a discussion between the inventor and the Examiner from the get-go, allowing the inventor to emphasise the technical effect of the invention in the broader context of patentability in general.

Quantum software may seem like conventional software in its technical effect, as it is often based on mathematics or makes use of conventional software.** Therefore, the UK IPO will often raise an objection that the patent application is non-technical. This makes it difficult to proceed in the UK and means that the EPO is a more predictable and engaging forum than the UK IPO for patenting Quantum Computing software.   

Quantum Computing leverages quantum mechanics to approach information processing in a fundamentally different way. At its core, Quantum Computation leverages the ability of a quantum object to exist not in a single state, but in a superposition of two (or more) states. By analogy to classical computation, where a bit must be in a 0 or 1 state, a quantum bit, or qubit, can be in any superposition of the 0 and 1 states. By combining multiple qubits in carefully controlled superpositions, the information processing takes on a completely different form.  Many developers hope Quantum Computers could one day be used to solve problems that are currently too difficult for computers today by leveraging this new way of approaching information. Areas looking to benefit from Quantum Computing developments include:

Outdated IPO rules may not be fit for purpose

Dr Edd Cavanna points out that the UK IPO tends to regard Quantum Software as broadly equivalent to classical software. This means that the complete rethink of how information is represented and processed in Quantum Computing may not be given due weight under the current system.

Dr Edd Cavanna says: “The longstanding framework for assessing software applications in the UK appears to be outdated in view of today’s technological innovations. A review of this framework to account for the unique properties of Quantum Computation would be very welcome, rather than applying blanket rules, developed under the classical computing framework, to this emerging field.

Dr Cavanna notes “Regrettably, a recent update to the framework under which the UK IPO assesses software, including quantum computer algorithms, has not shifted the dial as much as was hoped. Both patent examiners and inventors would benefit from a detailed review of rules in view of the contemporary technological landscape”.

*Technical effect means broadly that inventions in the software space need to show an impact beyond the computer, leading to a real-world improvement.

** Quantum computing often involves classically executed method steps, and is usually reasonably mathematically complex.

Mathys & Squire Associate Emma Pallister has been featured in The Trademark Lawyer Magazine with her article, ‘The rise of influencer marketing and IP implications’.

An recent article by Associate Emma Pallister has been published in The Trademark Lawyer Magazine titled ‘The rise of influencer marketing and IP implications’. In this piece, Emma discusses the increased consumer trust of influencers, IP risks for brands, influencer liability and the prevalence of counterfeit goods online.

To read the article in full, click the link here.

Commentary by Managing Associate Adam Gilbertson has been featured in The Global Legal Post, Solicitor’s Journal and The Trademark Lawyer as he responds to the latest UK Government AI Consultation regarding the implications of marking AI generated content.

Read the extended press release below.

Will the UK Government mandate that AI users mark their content as AI generated?

The UK Government should seriously consider mandating AI users to mark their content as AI generated says leading property law firm Mathys & Squire in response to the UK’s consultation on AI consultation that closes on February 25.

In December 2024 the UK Government launched a consultation on how copyright law should be changed to take into account the rise in Gen-AI (Copyright and Artificial Intelligence). The document asks for readers’ advice on whether AI material should be flagged as being created by AI – and whether the Government should be responsible for regulating that.

Currently, there is no obligation for material generated using artificial intelligence to be marked as such.

Adam Gilbertson, Managing Associate at Mathys & Squire, says that “As content generated using Gen-AI becomes increasingly indistinguishable from genuine manmade material, in many cases it’s in the public interest to know what material has been generated by AI so that they can make a properly informed opinion about that material.”

That applies to a whole range of content from Gen-AI created reports, articles and newspaper stories through to Gen-AI images, and not just for copyright purposes but for wider authenticity and bias concerns.

UK Government must balance responsibly to protect copyright holders with need to drive AI R&D in the UK

In the Copyright and Artificial Intelligence consultation, the Government indicates that it favours an ‘opt-out’ model of making copyrighted material unavailable for AI training, similar to the EU’s current text and data mining (TDM) exception. This would mean copyrighted material can be used for training AI for commercial purposes unless the copyright owner makes it clear (in some way) that they have ‘reserved their rights’ to such material.

Adam Gilbertson says that this is a sensible middle ground that should help ensure that content creators can seek fair remuneration for use of their copyright protected works whilst providing a safe harbour for AI developers, helping to make the UK a welcoming environment for AI R&D without too much red-tape.

Government must standardise how copyright holders opt-out from AI models training on their data

Adam Gilbertson also recommends that the Government should standardise the way in which copyright holders opt-out of such an exception and reserve their rights to help avoid potential disputes over what material is and is not available for commercial use.

Says Adam Gilbertson: “There is a big question mark over how to implement such an opt out in practice to avoid confusion over what material is and is not freely available for use. Lessons should be learnt from the uncertainty and disputes that have arisen in the EU over what counts as a valid opt-out of the EU’s TDM exception due to a lack of standardisation. If the UK goes down this route, some form of standardisation would help provide greater legal certainty and make it easier for AI companies to operate in the UK.”

We are proud to announce that Mathys & Squire is sponsoring the ‘Hard Tech Investment of the Year’ award at this year’s UKBAA Angel Investment Awards. Partner Andrew White will also be acting as a judge for this year’s nominations.

On Thursday 10 July 2025, The UK Business Angels Association will be hosting their annual Angel Investment Awards. The UKBAA is the national trade association for angel and early-stage investment. Their goal is to underpin a far-reaching, yet deeply connected community of investors which supports cutting-edge entrepreneurs across the UK. The awards will highlight the impact of angel investors, crowd funders and early-stage VCs who are helping to drive innovation, as well as the businesses which they champion.

For the 2025 presentation, Mathys & Squire will be sponsoring the ‘Hard Tech Investment of the Year’ Award. This specific award celebrates the founders and early-stage investors leading the way in research-intensive and capital-intensive sectors such as health and life sciences, and engineering and manufacturing.

Partner Andrew White, who is committed to engaging with and mentoring start-ups, will be part of the judging panel helping to choose the recipients of this year’s awards across the 14 different categories.

Do you want to nominate someone you admire for the 2025 UKBAA Angel Investment Awards? You can apply now on their website here. Applications will close on the 28th March.

Find out more about the event and award nominations on their website here.

You can learn about the partnership between our Scaleup quarter and the UKBAA here.

We are delighted to share that we have appointed two new Diversity and Inclusion Partners to chair our D&I Committee.

Partners Andrea McShane and Nicholas Fox have been appointed as the new Diversity and Inclusion Partners to lead our D&I committee. Throughout the year, they will be involved in championing diversity internally, externally and at Board level, ensuring that we foster a culture of equality throughout everything that we do.

Partner Andrea McShane writes: “It is such a privilege to be involved in fostering diversity and inclusivity at Mathys & Squire. So much great work has been focussed on establishing a robust framework at Mathys & Squire for ensuring diversity and inclusivity. Our commitment to D&I is a central aspect of who we are and how we strive for excellence. Some of the key competences that we strengthen with our policies – cultural intelligence, a learning mindset, flexibility, collaboration, empathy, curiosity and humility – are also key to providing great professional services. As part of my D&I Partner role I spearhead continued evolution of the firm’s strategy. I champion initiatives that enrich and create opportunities. I engage with stakeholders, monitor developments and welcome opportunities to grow our commitment to diversity and inclusivity.“

Partner Nicholas Fox writes: “Diversity and inclusion is such an integral part of the culture here at Mathys & Squire, and it is therefore a pleasure to be actively involved in the establishment and reinforcement of our initiatives as we enter the new year. To effectively support the talent and technical expertise that we are fortunate enough to have here at Mathys & Squire, it is crucial that we create a positive foundation for all that will enable our staff to thrive at work. Not only will this encourage us to serve our clients to the best of our ability, but it also means that everyone will be able to succeed in their personal and professional goals at the firm. In my role as D&I officer, I will continue to take real action towards the implementation of our policies, both internally and externally, and champion the complete integration of all those that work at Mathys & Squire.”

Looking back on her time as Diversity and Inclusion Officer, previous D&I Partner Caroline Warren reflects on the importance and personal highlights of the role.

Partner Caroline Warren writes: “Mathys & Squire has long recognised the importance of Diversity and Inclusion to the firm as well as to the wider profession and I have enjoyed my time leading and developing the D&I group within Mathys & Squire over the past few years. I have learnt a lot from the talks and discussions that we have organised and I have enjoyed celebrating the awareness days and months that we have marked as a firm. I am pleased to be handing on the role to Andrea and Nicholas and look forward to continuing to support the development of D&I within the firm.”

Diversity and Inclusion is an extremely important part of Mathys & Squire. We are committed to fostering a culture of equality, diversity and inclusion, to sustain Mathys & Squire as a welcoming workplace for all of our employees and partners to be a part of.

Find out more about our Diversity and Inclusion policies and framework here.

Mathys & Squire Managing Associate Lionel Newton has recently been interviewed by International Aquafeed Magazine and provided commentary on various issues relating to intellectual property (IP) and trends in the aquaculture industry.

The aquaculture industry is a rapidly evolving sector that generates a wide range of complex innovations. These advancements include cutting-edge technology designed to improve farming practices, enhance disease prevention and control, and optimise, food formulations through the development of specialised additives.

As the industry continues to progress, the protection of these innovations becomes increasingly important. Intellectual Property rights play a crucial role in safeguarding the research, technology, and developments that drive the sector forward, ensuring that innovators can benefit from their contributions and maintain a competitive edge.

In recognition of the significance of IP in aquaculture, Managing Associate Lionel Newton was recently featured in an article on this topic in International Aquafeed, a leading industry magazine. His insights highlight the challenges and opportunities surrounding IP protection in the sector, offering valuable perspectives for businesses and researchers in this field.

To read the article in full, click the link here.

The UK’s deep tech sector is a rapidly evolving landscape that thrives on ground breaking scientific and engineering advancements. From quantum computing to advanced semiconductor technologies, deep tech companies are driving innovation and reshaping industries. However, while technological breakthroughs are the foundation of deep tech, intellectual property (IP) plays a crucial role in safeguarding innovations, attracting investment, and ensuring commercial viability. This evolving landscape is explored in greater detail in the Royal Academy of Engineering’s State of UK Deep Tech 2024 report.

Despite its strong foundation, the UK’s deep tech sector faces several challenges that could hinder its long-term success:

The Deep Tech Investment Landscape

According to the Royal Academy of Engineering’s State of UK Deep Tech 2024 report, UK deep tech companies have consistently attracted substantial venture capital (VC) investment. Since 2020, the sector has annually secured over £5 billion in VC funding, with healthcare and artificial intelligence gaining the most investment. However, despite this promising trend, the UK still faces significant challenges in scaling deep tech ventures, particularly when compared to the US. One of the key reasons for this is the complex and capital-intensive nature of deep tech, which requires long-term financial backing and industry-specific expertise from investors.

The UK’s venture capital ecosystem has seen an increasing presence of nontraditional investors, including corporate venture capital (CVC) firms and sovereign wealth funds. With 32.5% of UK deep tech VC deals involving no UK investors in early 2024, it is evident that global players recognise the immense potential of the sector. Nevertheless, a gap remains in the availability of UK-based investors with the technical knowledge necessary to evaluate and support deep tech ventures effectively.

Intellectual Property as a Competitive Moat

One of the defining characteristics of deep tech companies is their reliance on strong IP protection. Unlike conventional tech startups that often focus on software solutions with lower barriers to entry, deep tech ventures require significant investment in research and development (R&D) before they can bring products to market. As a result, patents, trade secrets, or other proprietary technologies become invaluable assets that distinguish these companies from their competitors and provide protection on the market.

A well-established IP portfolio serves several strategic purposes:

The UK’s deep tech sector benefits from a strong academic foundation, with universities playing a crucial role in IP generation. However, balancing academic innovation with commercial scalability requires carefully structured IP agreements. Traditionally, UK universities have held significant equity stakes in spinouts, but recent trends indicate a shift toward more investor-friendly policies, allowing startups to retain greater control over their IP.

Challenges in Scaling Deep Tech and IP Management

Despite the clear advantages of IP protection, deep tech companies face several hurdles in managing and leveraging their intellectual assets:

  1. Complex Patent Landscapes: Navigating the patent process is time-consuming and expensive, requiring expertise to avoid infringement and ensure broad protection.
  2. Funding Gaps for Early-Stage IP Development: Many deep tech startups struggle with securing funds to file and maintain patents before achieving profitability.
  3. International Competition and IP Theft: Given the global nature of deep tech, UK firms must contend with IP risks from international competitors, particularly in strategic industries like semiconductors and AI.

The UK has a strong foundation in deep tech innovation, but unlocking its full potential requires a more sophisticated approach to intellectual property management. By addressing funding challenges, refining IP strategies, and fostering investor expertise, the UK can solidify its position as a global leader in deep tech commercialisation.

At Mathys & Squire LLP, we have a profound comprehension of industry standards, intricacies, and the unique challenges entailed in patenting cutting-edge inventions within the dynamic realm of deep tech. For more information on our specialist advice in this sector, visit our website or explore our dedicated Scaleup Quarter platform, tailored for companies ranging from start-ups to university spinouts.