Gareth Fennell > Kilburn & Strode LLP > London, England > Lawyer Profile

Kilburn & Strode LLP
LACON LONDON
84 THEOBALDS ROAD
LONDON
WC1X 8NL
England
Gareth Fennell photo

Work Department

Patents, Tech Practice Group

Position

Partner

Career

Gareth is a Partner in our Tech group specialising in computer software, healthcare systems and medical devices. He is recognised as a leading patent professional in the industry and his cross-sector know-how is valued by clients and colleagues.
 
Gareth’s healthcare and medical device practice covers a wide range of subject matter including hospital healthcare systems, digital healthcare technologies, insulin infusion pumps and infusion sets, analyte testing devices and test strips, electrochemical and optical sensors, microfluidics, surgical equipment, prosthetic joints, pacemakers, stents and nanocomposite vessels.  His software work includes cloud-based computing, cryptography, machine learning and AI, blockchain, smartphone software, GUIs and fintech applications.  Gareth’s recent work includes a freedom-to-operate analysis and filing programme for a new point-of-care diagnostic device and the application of AI in medical imaging.
             
Gareth’s diverse client base includes start-ups, SMEs and multi-national corporations.  He advises his clients on their patent strategy including patent searching, freedom-to-operate and invention capture. In addition, he has a great deal of experience managing large portfolios and leading the teams working on them.  With over 20 years’ experience drafting and prosecuting patent applications, he also regularly represents his clients at EPO examination, opposition and appeal hearings. Gareth has a particular reputation for handling computer software cases before the EPO and UK IPO. He has also been an integral member of the litigation team for several High Court patent actions, working closely with an extended team of advisors.
               
As well as healthcare, Gareth has a particular interest is the patentability of borderline cases which include software inventions as well as those involving games and finance-related inventions.  He has had articles published on the patentability of borderline cases and has given various presentations and lectures on this and other subjects. He also runs a training programme at Queen Mary University of London for candidates sitting the European qualifying examinations.

Memberships

CIPA
EPI

Education

Intellectual Property Litigation Certificate
European Patent Attorney (2003)
Chartered UK Patent Attorney (2003)
MSc Computer Science, University of London (1996)
BA Hons Natural Sciences (Chemistry), University of Oxford (1994)

Lawyer Rankings

London > TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > PATMA: Patent attorneys

Kilburn & Strode LLP boasts a team with diverse expertise, encompassing knowledge in the chemistry and life sciences, electronics, physics, engineering, and computing sectors, including AI and machine learning. The practice is well equipped to handle both UK and European matters, including drafting, prosecuting, and representation in EPO opposition proceedings, the management of global portfolios, and advice on validity, infringement, and freedom to operate. Managing partner Richard Howson is a key name in the aerospace and automotive industries, and Nick Lee is head of the life sciences and chemistry practice. Gareth Fennell, who chairs the technology and engineering departments, has expertise in computer software, healthcare systems, and medical devices. Harry Harden heads up the firm’s San Francisco liaison office and is adept at supporting clients in the Silicon Valley, while Jennifer Harris spearheads the growing chemistry practice with a large group of pharmaceutical clients.