Professional Qualifications:
European Patent Attorney
Chartered Patent Attorney
Chartered Trade Mark Attorney
Academic Qualifications:
BSc. Physics, University of Bristol
Jim joined Abel + Imray in 1994 and is based in the Bath Office. He has a wealth of experience from having worked with a variety of clients over the years ranging start-ups and SME to large multinationals. His professional work has encompassed patents, designs, trademarks, and other aspects of IP, and as a result he has qualified (by rigorous examination) both as a patent attorney and as a trade mark attorney, which is something of a rarity in the UK profession these days. While his work is now more focussed on patents and designs, his knowledge and experience of trade mark matters and the wider variety of issues faced by his broad range of clients, makes him well placed to advise on the more complex / multidisciplinary IP matters that clients can be faced with. In particular, his advice is sought on IP audits, IP strategy and difficult IP issues where some innovative thinking may be required.
Jim’s patent work covers a variety of mechanical, electrical and communications subject matter. As the Partner responsible for the aerospace work handled by the firm, he has a wide range of experience in handling aeronautics-related subject matter which covers both electrical and mechanical systems. His mechanical workload also includes subject matter in the off-shore and on-land construction industries.
His work in the field of telecommunications has included drafting and prosecuting patents relating to bit error correction, GMPLS for legacy optical networks, MPLS control and high-power high-frequency electronics equipment for use in the mobile phone industry. He also works in the area of computer and software-related inventions and has advised on the patentability of internet and telecommunications-based business methods.
Jim also handles work concerning consumer electronics, hi-fi technology and data-centres. Jim is also experienced in trade mark and registered design work and advises on related issues in the UK, Europe and worldwide. He has enjoyed a very high level of success in hearings before the UK IPO and the EPO in both patent and trade mark proceedings.
Our EPFILER web-portal which assists clients in converting international (PCT) applications into European patent applications in a highly efficient, streamlined and automated web-based process – was designed by, and continues to be managed by, Jim.
He also spends some of his time supporting the work of both the Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys (CIPA) and the Chartered Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys (CITMA). He regularly gives talks on behalf of CIPA and CITMA as part of the UK IPO’s IP Masterclass sessions and has assisted the UK IPO and CIPA on a variety of initiatives over the years aimed at helping SMEs making the most out of their IP assets and better understand the risks and opportunities associated with being an innovative enterprise.
