Alan Bates

Alan joined the firm in 2002 and became a partner on 1 April 2011. Alan handles work in a wide range of subject areas. He has been involved with inventions ranging from better wasp traps and more user-friendly monitoring devices, to smaller combinatorial chemistry substrates and more efficient electrochemical processes. Alan also advises on design protection.

Alan's background is in Metallurgy and Materials Engineering. He has a doctorate for research relating to electron-beam welded pipelines and has completed periods of industrial experience with companies involved in metallic coatings and welding technology. Much of Alan's current work involves aspects of materials science, and he deals with clients involved in technologies such as metal extraction, laser fabrication, medical equipment and implants, and semiconductor devices. Alan also handles work from wider engineering fields such as mechanical devices and radar technology.

Alan advises on all aspects of procuring patent rights, from initial meetings with inventors, through drafting, filing, and prosecuting patent applications, to managing international portfolios of patents and patent applications. He represents clients, where necessary, in oral proceedings before the European Patent Office.

Alan also advises on issues related to freedom-to-operate, validity of patent rights, patentability of inventions, and infringement of patent rights.

Alan enjoys both watching and taking part in cricket matches in his free time.

 Memberships

• Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys (CIPA)
• Institute of Trade Mark Agents (ITMA)

Qualifications

• MEng, Materials Engineering, University of Birmingham
• PhD, "Development of microstructure in electron beam welded ferritic steels", Cambridge University
• Chartered Patent Attorney, 2007
• European Patent Attorney, 2006