Andrew Thompson

Partner, UK and European Patent Attorney
London

Andrew Thompson

Andrew is a highly experienced attorney having spent over 20 years working in the patent profession. He is particularly experienced at managing patent portfolios in complex areas of technology, and has acted as European counsel to a number of well-known technology companies. Much of Andrew’s recent work has been with American companies, where he enjoys supporting in-house attorneys with strategic advice on global patent prosecution. He approaches his work with commitment to exceptional client service and a keen interest in clients’ commercial objectives.

Andrew’s technical focus is on electronics, with notable experience in semiconductors and mixed-signal technologies. Through his work for a major US semiconductor company, Andrew has particular expertise in drafting and prosecuting patent applications for transistor, converter and sensor technologies. In addition to the above, he has spent many years handling computer-related technologies, with particular recent experience in database technologies. Clean Technology is also an area where Andrew has extensive knowledge and expertise, having operated as Head of Clean Technology in his previous firm, for well over 10 years.

Given Andrew’s work with US companies, he travels there regularly and is well connected across the country. He has particular connections to the Denver area where EIP has its US office.

Published articles

  • March 2024
    WIPR, Semiconductor SMEs juggle trade secrets with patents, says panel (link)
  • February 2024
    IAM, Analysing TSMC’s use of IP to minimise risk during expansion (link)
  • February 2024
    Startups Magazine, UK Government Spin-Out Review: Protection of IP Needs To Be brought Into Focus (link)
  • January 2024
    Global Semiconductor Alliance (GSA), Trends in Intellectual Property (link)
  • January 2024
    IAM, Semiconductor patents get new fast-track examination system at USPTO (link)
  • December 2023
    EIP Updates, Fast Chips: US PTO launches fast-track examination for semiconductor patents (link)
  • September 2023
    GSA Where Leaders Meet, Assessing the U.K. National Semiconductor Strategy (link)
  • August 2023
    EE Times Europe Magazine - September 2023, Assessing the U.K. National Semiconductor Strategy (page 58-59) (link)
  • May 2023
    IAM, Nuance needed in analysis of new UK Semiconductor Strategy (link)
  • May 2023
    EE Time Europe, U.K. Commits £1B to Semiconductors (link)
  • May 2023
    Business Weekly, Question marks raised over UK semiconductor strategy (link)
  • May 2023
    Supply Management, UK’s £1bn chip investment ‘a drop in the ocean’ for semiconductor industry (link)
  • May 2023
    EIP Updates, The UK National Semiconductor Strategy: a first glance (link)
  • March 2023
    EE Times, EU Chips Act: Key Intellectual Property Considerations (link)
  • February 2023
    EIP Updates, Key provisions and IP considerations of the incoming EU CHIPS Act (link)
  • January 2023
    IAM, Key provisions and IP considerations of the incoming EU CHIPS Act (link)
  • January 2023
    The Patent Lawyer, VLSI agrees to dismiss latest semiconductor patent complaint against Intel in Delaware (link)
  • 5 December 2022
    EIP Updates, Intellectual property key UK strength in global semiconductor supply chain – select committee report (link)
  • October 2022
    EIP Updates, Changes in the semiconductor industry: how patent strategies need to adapt (link)

Education and qualifications

UK Chartered Patent Attorney, 2007

European Patent Attorney, 2005

  • 2001
    Postgraduate Certificate in Intellectual Property Law, Queen Mary University
  • 1997 — 2000
    BEng Electrical and Electronics Engineering, University of Birmingham

Career history

  • 2022 — present
    Partner, EIP
  • 2012 — 2022
    Partner, Withers & Rogers LLP
  • 2006 — 2012
    Senior Associate, Withers & Rogers LLP
  • 2001 — 2006
    Associate, A. A. Thornton & Co

Awards and recognition

  • Legal 500, 2024 (link)

Speaking engagements

  • March 2024
    GSA International Semiconductor Conference, The Role of IP Rights in Growing Semiconductor Companies (link)
  • February 2024
    South West Business Insider Roundtable, How do we advance the semiconductor cluster in the South West?
  • October 2023
    Colorado Bar Association, The First 100 Days of the UPC (link)
  • October 2023
    Technology Patent Network North America in San Francisco, Adapting Patent Strategies in the Semiconductor Industry
  • June 2023
    Global Semiconductor Alliance European Executive Forum, Emerging Technologies Patent Filing Trends
  • May 2023
    CIPA Webinar, Semiconductors: how the industry has changed and implications for IP strategies
  • March 2023
    EIP Sweden Launch, Deglobalisation: lessons from the semiconductor chip shortage

Additional information

Member of Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys (CIPA)

Member of Institute of Professional Representatives before the European Patent Office (EPI)

Specialisms

Digital

  • Automotive electronics
  • Computer hardware
  • Consumer electronics
  • Digital health
  • Electrical engineering
  • Electromechanical systems
  • Image and signal processing
  • Robotics
  • Semiconductors
  • Software
  • Telecommunications

Dynamics

  • Electrical engineering
  • Electromechanical systems
  • Robotics

Elements

  • Semiconductors

Energy

  • Cells
  • Grids
  • Hydro
  • Solar

HealthTech

  • Digital health
  • Medical devices