7,071
Patent applications filed in 2024
3,639
European patent applications filed in 2024
275+
People
8
Offices
Dehns prides itself on providing a service to each of its diverse range of clients which is individually tailored to suit their needs and budget.
Select one of the options below to find out more about our expertise in your sector:
In-house counsel
Our commercially-led approach allows us to offer tailored support to in-house counsel. We handle European filing and prosecution work, but also act as a flexible resource for fluctuating caseloads.
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Small-medium sized businesses
SMEs can improve their competitiveness and grow their business through their IP. Our specialised technology groups are well placed to offer advice to this diverse group.
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Start-ups
IP is often a start-up or early stage company’s most valuable asset. We understand the issues faced and importance of protecting IP from the beginning.
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Universities/research organisations
We have many decades of experience working with clients in the Higher Education sector, and have a comprehensive understanding of the specific IP needs, requirements and challenges they face.
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International associates
We are instructed by associates from all over the world for intellectual property matters in Europe and the UK.
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Other services
select
In-house counsel
Our commercially-led approach allows us to offer tailored support to in-house counsel. We handle European filing and prosecution work, but also act as a flexible resource for fluctuating caseloads.
select
Small-medium sized businesses
SMEs can improve their competitiveness and grow their business through their IP. Our specialised technology groups are well placed to offer advice to this diverse group.
select
Start-ups
IP is often a start-up or early stage company’s most valuable asset. We understand the issues faced and importance of protecting IP from the beginning.
select
Universities/research organisations
We have many decades of experience working with clients in the Higher Education sector, and have a comprehensive understanding of the specific IP needs, requirements and challenges they face.
select
International associates
We are instructed by associates from all over the world for intellectual property matters in Europe and the UK.
select
Other services
Latest news
04.06.2025
Dehns successfully retains its highly ranked position in the IP Stars 2025 “Trade Mark Prosecution” category and several attorneys awarded Trade Mark and Patent IP Stars
Fresh from Dehns’ recent success in the IAM 1000 rankings, Dehns has also successfully retained its highly ranked position in the Trade Mark Prosecution category in the recently published Managing Intellectual Property’s IP Stars 2025. In the same publication, Dehns was also selected as a “Notable firm” in the Trade Mark disputes practice, an area that is greatly expanding.
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03.06.2025
Dehns recognised for its “exceptional partners” in the IAM Patent 1000 2025 edition
Dehns is pleased to have retained our highly ranked position in the 2025 edition of IAM Patent 1000 for both the United Kingdom: England & Wales prosecution category and the European Patent Office category.
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15.05.2025
Not so FRAND-ly: OPPO found to infringe Panasonic patent, FRAND counterclaim dismissed
Panasonic Holdings Corporation (Panasonic) brought an infringement action against Guangdong OPPO Mobile Telecommunications Corp Ltd and OROPE Germany GmBH (OPPO), accusing OPPO of infringing Panasonic’s patent EP 2 568 724 in their 4G-capable products including smartphones and smartwatches. OPPO counterclaimed that they were not given a fair opportunity to obtain a FRAND license, and also counterclaimed for the invalidity of the patent. Emily Dekker, Trainee Patent Attorney discusses this matter in more detail.
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13.03.2025
Dehns acts before the EPO Enlarged Board of Appeal in a potentially game-changing case regarding the fundamental question: “What is prior art?”
On 12 March 2025, a pivotal hearing took place before the EPO Enlarged Board of Appeal – the highest EPO Board of Appeal, with Dehns Partner Neil Campbell representing Borealis AG in a case that could reshape key aspects of European patent law.
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19.05.2025
Dehns Associate Conor Wilman Receives Highly Commended Award from AIPPI
We’re proud to announce that Conor Wilman, an associate in the Technology, Software and Engineering (TSE) group at Dehns, has been selected to receive a Highly Commended Award by the International Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property (AIPPI).
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14.05.2025
A review of the 4th Annual Business & Law Update for the Automotive Sector by Dehns Associate James Ring
Dehns attends the 4th Annual Business & Law Update for the Automotive Sector. Reporting from Dehns’ James Ring.
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15.05.2025
Dehns appointed by UKAEA to provide IP services
We are delighted to announce that Dehns has been appointed by the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) to provide professional services relating to UKAEA’s intellectual property portfolio.
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06.05.2025
Getting animated about EU design changes
On 1st May 2025, Phase 1 of the EUIPO’s design reform came into effect. This is made up of The Amending Regulation (Regulation – EU – 2024/2822) and The Recast Directive (Directive – EU – 2024/2823). This will be followed by Phase 2, which will bring further amendments, and will apply from 1 July 2026.
Many of the changes brought about by this reform are motivated by a desire to align EU design law with the world around us, which is increasingly manifesting in digital forms. One of those changes is the formalisation of protection for animated designs.
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14.05.2025
Substantive Decision: Huawei v Netgear
Huawei brought an action in the Munich local division against Netgear for infringement of EP3611989 in relation to various of its WiFi access point products. Huawei had declared EP’989 to be essential to the IEEE 802.11ax (“WiFi 6”) standard and so was obliged to offer a licence on Fair, Reasonable and Non-Discriminatory (FRAND) terms. However, no licence could be agreed.
Netgear made a preliminary objection challenging the jurisdiction of the UPC to hear the case, counterclaimed for revocation of EP’989 and raised several infringement defences: that EP’989 was not in fact essential to WiFi 6 (i.e. non-infringement), that Huawei’s rights had been exhausted by prior EU supply of the allegedly-infringing products, and that Huawei had failed to offer a FRAND licence as it was obliged.
Huawei prevailed on almost all issues. With the added motivation for Netgear of an impending injunction, the parties reached a settlement in early 2025, so we will not see the various issues tested at appeal.
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Case studies
06.03.2024
Filing patent applications for “mind-bendingly difficult” technologies
ORCA Computing use photonics for quantum computing rather than traditional silicon or ion trap technology. Their work is based on incredibly complex atomic physics technologies – it has been described as “mind-bendingly difficult”. Dehns Partner, Dr Mark Bell, has been handling ORCA’s work since 2015.
Click here to find out about the latest work Dehns has been doing for them.
view case study
11.01.2024
Private: Visual and phonetic differences between identical animal supplements results in successful trade mark registration
Palatine Hill AS is a Norwegian company specialising in nutritional products. Historically, this has primarily been in the nature of Omega-3 products, and the client’s goods are the largest selling Omega-3 oil brand in Germany. Dehns has worked with Palatine Hill for many years, and this latest matter involved a new type of brand for the client, this time in the field of animal dietary supplements.
view case study
12.10.2023
Identifying patentable next generation inventions
Strix is the world leader in kettle controls. With 56% of the global kettle control market, their products are used 1 billion times a day across the world.
view case study
12.10.2023
IP considerations in the acquisition of a new company
Dehns has supported Strix, the world leader in kettle controls, for over 50 years and has played a major role in their international growth and expansion. Laura Ramsay, Dehns Partner in the Engineering Group, has been working with Strix for 20 years and has acted as their client manager for the last 10 years. Clare Mann, Dehns Partner in the Trade Mark Group has been working with Strix for over 20 years and manages their global trade mark portfolio.
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Careers
Getting to know us before we get to know you
We offer a stimulating working environment and as a progressive firm we want to invest in the brightest and most talented individuals from all walks of life. We value our people in every area of the business and pride ourselves on a collaborative and open approach across all offices.
View careersMeet our people
We are a leading European intellectual property firm, with more than 300 people across eight offices, and with an internationally renowned reputation.
Corporate Social Responsibility
Our CSR initiatives define who we are as a firm
They are a vital part of business, not only for our employees but our clients as well. We aim to involve every member of Dehns in our CSR programme to promote the core values and behaviours that underpin our identity.
View CSR page