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). This recognition follows his outstanding contribution to AIPPI’s Patent Study Question.
AIPPI is a global organization committed to the harmonisation and improvement of intellectual property laws. One of its key initiatives involves Study Questions, which explore how national laws relate to international treaties (such as TRIPS) and whether they should be amended to better align with international standards and with each other. These questions are debated at the annual AIPPI Congress, with insights from working groups across the world.
The 2025 Patent Study Question focussed on compulsory licensing and comprised 38 detailed questions split into three sections:
The UK group first met in February 2025 to devise an approach to the Study Question. Conor contributed to the research into the UK’s existing legal framework for compulsory licensing between companies, including an in-depth analysis of the Patents Act, relevant case law, and information from the UKIPO.
Building on this research, Conor played a significant role in drafting and refining the responses to the harmonisation section, leveraging his understanding of the UK legal landscape and contributing thoughtful insights to shape the group’s proposals. He also reviewed and amended group responses in light of peer feedback.
The final submission was approved by the AIPPI UK Council in April and will be debated at the AIPPI Congress in Yokohama this September.