Stephen Gardiner

Background

Stephen is an experienced UK and European patent attorney. He joined Dehns in 2001 after graduating with a Masters degree in Physics from the University of Oxford and became an Associate of the firm in 2008, Senior Associate in 2018 and Partner in 2020.

Stephen is Lead Partner for Dehns’ Designs Group.

Type of clients and client work

Stephen acts for clients of all sizes, including individuals, SMEs and multinationals. He is particularly mindful of the needs of  smaller clients to fit IP into a cost-effective strategy for growth.

Stephen has extensive experience of drafting and filing patent applications in the UK and Europe and prosecuting them through to grant throughout the world. He has experience in handling international patent portfolios for clients and regularly provides advice on patenting strategy as well as providing infringement and validity opinions.

Stephen has a particular interest in registered design work and enjoys working with clients to optimise their filing strategies.

On the contentious side, Stephen has been involved in numerous opposition and appeal proceedings at the European Patent Office and has also been involved in IP disputes involving patents, registered designs, unregistered design right and copyright.

Expertise

Stephen handles work in various physics, electronics and computer related fields including electronic and medical devices, signal processing, software, ventilation equipment, renewable energy sources, fuel cells, gas turbines and various automotive and construction technologies.

Qualifications and Memberships

• Authorised Representative before the Unified Patent Court (UPC) 2023
• UK Chartered Patent Attorney, 2007
• European Patent Attorney, 2007
• Certificate in IP Law, University of London, 2002
• Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys
• Member of the European Patent Institute
• Basic Litigation Skills Course, 2017

Higher Education

MPhys, University of Oxford, Physics, 2001

Other

Publications:

‘Is it patently obvious?’, Financial Times, May 2014.

‘Patent Court Decision Clarifies Mental Act Patentability Exclusion’, World Intellectual Property Report, December 2011.

‘Quicker trials at lower cost’, SME Web, December 2010.

‘No more need to fear patent court costs’, Fresh Business Thinking, November 2010.

‘Bringing down the cost of justice’, Growth Business, October 2010.