Boult Wade Tennant
People » Paul Hicks

Paul Hicks

Partner

Cambridge

Contact
Download V-card
Address
Memberships

AMIMechE
CIPA
EPI

Qualifications

Registered UPC Representative
European Patent Attorney
Chartered Patent Attorney
BEng (Hons) Engineering, University of Bath

I am privileged to work with my clients on a diverse range of technologies in the engineering and design fields. We work collaboratively on protecting their innovation, addressing the challenges and seeking out the opportunities that come with that. With over 25 years’ experience in the field of intellectual property, the particular mix of technical, commercial and legal aspects involved in the role is one that really enthuses me.

Developing longstanding client relationships is of particular importance to me, and I have had the pleasure of working with a good number of my clients since starting out in the profession. They have adopted me as part of their team, and I am proud to have been actively involved in growing their businesses over that time.

My particular areas of expertise and practice in the engineering field include the aeronautical, mechanical, automotive, marine and civil/structural engineering sectors. Greentech innovation forms an important and exciting growth area in these sectors.

I work with start-up, SME and multinational clients. One longstanding client is a civil engineering and construction multinational headquartered in the US with regional offices in Europe. It has acquired numerous businesses over the years, and I have been involved in integrating, developing and managing its expanding IP portfolio, working with its R&D and management teams, and providing strategic and commercially-focused advice on capturing, protecting and enforcing its IP.

Another longstanding client is a pioneer in the field of high-speed amphibious vehicles. I have worked closely with the development engineers, the board and the owners, creating an IP strategy and worldwide filing program in support of the licensing of its technology, resulting in a significant IP portfolio. I’ve also had the opportunity to roll up my sleeves and get involved in the building of the vehicles, and in the testing of them on land and on water.

A particular career highlight has been working with a client who, ahead of time, identified the need for, and developed, a fully recyclable multi-layered packaging material with oxygen barrier properties for use with personal care products. Having drafted, prosecuted and secured patent protection, we then successfully defended the granted European patent through Opposition and Appeal proceedings brought by competitors, resulting in licenses being sought and granted for the client’s technology.

Working closely and collaboratively with my clients is key to understanding their business. Not only does it enable me to provide strategic and commercially-focused advice, it also makes my part in that work so much more rewarding and enjoyable.

Recent experience

Working with a longstanding client in the civil engineering and construction sector, developing its IP policies to reflect significant growth of the business, managing its patent, design and trade mark portfolio, prosecuting applications in multiple countries around the world, assisting with contentious IP matters, and working on a major acquisition and the subsequent integration of the acquired IP.

Further development of a large and growing patent, design and trade mark portfolio of a longstanding client in the high-speed amphibious vehicle field, advising on strategic and commercial IP matters, including the licensing of its technology.

Assisting a young business and recent new client with the protection of its newly-developed highly efficient and environmentally friendly water treatment technology at an exciting time in its evaluation and adoption by the water utility industry, including developing and managing its IP portfolio, and prosecuting applications across a wide geography.

Publications
Relevant Search Terms
Recommended Sites
Suggested Media
Recognitions
Additional Info
Languages
“I am privileged to have a close and collaborative working relationship with my clients, some of more than 25 years, enabling me to provide strategic and commercially-focused advice tailored to their specific business needs and circumstances.”
Sector Experience
Aerospace
  • Commercial aviation
  • Defence and security
  • Space and satellites
  • Unmanned aerial vehicles
Automotive
  • Autonomous vehicles
  • Electric vehicles
  • Engines
Computing and software
  • Bioinformatics
  • Machine vision
  • Motor capture
  • Robotic process automation
Electronics and electrical devices
  • Medical devices
  • Robotics
  • Wearable tech and human interfaces
Energy and green technologies
  • Renewables and recycling
  • Water, oil and gas, nuclear, fusion, fission
Industrial manufacturing and processing
  • Packaging
  • Construction
Medical devices and diagnostics 
  • Artificial intelligence
  • Devices
  • Diagnostic instruments
  • Digital health
  • Drug delivery
  • In vitro diagnostics
  • Medtech

I am privileged to work with my clients on a diverse range of technologies in the engineering and design fields. We work collaboratively on protecting their innovation, addressing the challenges and seeking out the opportunities that come with that. With over 25 years’ experience in the field of intellectual property, the particular mix of technical, commercial and legal aspects involved in the role is one that really enthuses me.

Developing longstanding client relationships is of particular importance to me, and I have had the pleasure of working with a good number of my clients since starting out in the profession. They have adopted me as part of their team, and I am proud to have been actively involved in growing their businesses over that time.

My particular areas of expertise and practice in the engineering field include the aeronautical, mechanical, automotive, marine and civil/structural engineering sectors. Greentech innovation forms an important and exciting growth area in these sectors.

I work with start-up, SME and multinational clients. One longstanding client is a civil engineering and construction multinational headquartered in the US with regional offices in Europe. It has acquired numerous businesses over the years, and I have been involved in integrating, developing and managing its expanding IP portfolio, working with its R&D and management teams, and providing strategic and commercially-focused advice on capturing, protecting and enforcing its IP.

Another longstanding client is a pioneer in the field of high-speed amphibious vehicles. I have worked closely with the development engineers, the board and the owners, creating an IP strategy and worldwide filing program in support of the licensing of its technology, resulting in a significant IP portfolio. I’ve also had the opportunity to roll up my sleeves and get involved in the building of the vehicles, and in the testing of them on land and on water.

A particular career highlight has been working with a client who, ahead of time, identified the need for, and developed, a fully recyclable multi-layered packaging material with oxygen barrier properties for use with personal care products. Having drafted, prosecuted and secured patent protection, we then successfully defended the granted European patent through Opposition and Appeal proceedings brought by competitors, resulting in licenses being sought and granted for the client’s technology.

Working closely and collaboratively with my clients is key to understanding their business. Not only does it enable me to provide strategic and commercially-focused advice, it also makes my part in that work so much more rewarding and enjoyable.

Recent experience

Working with a longstanding client in the civil engineering and construction sector, developing its IP policies to reflect significant growth of the business, managing its patent, design and trade mark portfolio, prosecuting applications in multiple countries around the world, assisting with contentious IP matters, and working on a major acquisition and the subsequent integration of the acquired IP.

Further development of a large and growing patent, design and trade mark portfolio of a longstanding client in the high-speed amphibious vehicle field, advising on strategic and commercial IP matters, including the licensing of its technology.

Assisting a young business and recent new client with the protection of its newly-developed highly efficient and environmentally friendly water treatment technology at an exciting time in its evaluation and adoption by the water utility industry, including developing and managing its IP portfolio, and prosecuting applications across a wide geography.

Publications
Relevant Search Terms
Recommended Sites
Suggested Media
Recognitions
Additional Info

Insights

INSIGHTS