Dr Neil Kilpatrick
UK & European Patent Attorney
Neil is a European and UK Patent Attorney, who alongside his patent work specialises in IP strategy, registered designs, copyright and early-stage litigation.
Neil particularly enjoys working with individuals and SMEs, learning about their businesses, and advising how best to leverage their IP and unlock the wealth of available competitor IP intelligence to secure and maintain a commercial edge in their marketplace. Neil prides himself on his practical advice and approach in accordance with clients’ business requirements and budget.
Neil was nominated for the Managing IP UK Practitioner of the Year award in 2022.
Career History
Neil’s background is in Physics, which he explored to a PhD level in Nanoscale Physics. Realising that the researcher’s life wasn’t for him, but keen to not lose that scientific curiosity, becoming a patent attorney was a perfect fit. Neil joined the profession in 2007, qualifying as a European and UK Patent Attorney by 2014 and becoming a Partner at a large Midlands firm in 2019.
Neil has always enjoyed explaining the nuances of IP law and the options open to applicants both during prosecution and once the patents have granted. Indeed, educating his more junior colleagues and clients on how the IP system works is one of his passions. He also has a particular interest in IP litigation and contentious matters, with highlights including Intellectual Property Office opinions, patent and design revocations, cease and desist letters and other pre-action work.
Neil has joined Two IP to allow him to focus on these aspects of the role of a patent attorney, free from the administrative baggage and narrowed focus that unfortunately comes with being a partner in most private practice attorney firms. Plus, a bit more work/life balance to spend with his family (or heaven forbid, playing golf) isn’t unwelcome!
Technical Expertise / Areas of Specialism
Neil’s technical focus is mechanical, automotive, electronic, and material science inventions, where he has represented a wide range of clients from water-bottle and exercise equipment designers to automotive SME’s and hi-tech universities. Neil has a detailed knowledge of surface science and nanotechnology from his physics background. Some specific experience includes compressors, helicopters, EMI suppression, haulage and Parkinson’s disease tremor detection.
Neil provides a broad spectrum of IP advice spanning IP audits, patent landscaping (which he has done extensively in close collaboration with design teams), patent/design opinions, patent/design filing and prosecution, and also unregistered design and copyright contentious work.
Professional Qualifications
- Chartered Patent Attorney (CPA)
- European Patent Attorney (EPA)
- UPC Representative
Education
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) Nanoscale Physics at University of Birmingham
- MSci. Physics at University of Birmingham
Interests
Outside of exploring the world with his family, Neil enjoys gaming (both computer based and board!). A recent foray into running (culminating in a very cold, muddy and wet 10k obstacle run) appears to be lasting, particularly given a lack of time to play golf!