Tom Brand
Tom is a Chartered Patent Attorney, European Patent Attorney, European Trade Mark Attorney and Registered Trade Mark Agent, and is a partner of the firm. Tom is a chemist by training, with B.Sc. (Hons) and Ph.D. degrees in chemistry from the University of Manchester. He is also a Chartered Chemist (C. Chem) and a Member of the Royal Society of Chemistry (M.R.S.C).
Entering the patents profession in 1992, Tom trained initially with W. P. Thompson & Co. in London, practising across a wide range of technology areas, including mechanical, chemical, pharmaceutical and biotech, and gained a great deal of experience in European Patent Office opposition and appeal proceedings for a wide variety of clients both domestic and overseas, large and small.
After completing his training with the firm, Tom gained further experience working for another private practice and as corporate counsel for a major multinational chemical company, an experience which gave valuable insight into the strategic considerations of large corporations in connection with intellectual property, and further experience with the European Patent Office, and other patent offices around the world from the big company perspective.
Returning to the firm as a partner at the turn of the millennium, Tom has built a practice based primarily on domestic clients, but also encompassing a wide range of clients from around the world and from many different technology areas. These areas include mechanical, automotive, fuel cells (both electrochemical and graphitic), organic and polymer chemistry, chemical engineering, medical devices, wound care, diagnostics, cell separation, catalysis, microencapsulation, therapeutics and assay equipment. The strong domestic nature of his practice means that Tom has developed particular strengths in advising clients from the standpoint of acquired knowledge of the client’s industry as well as a good understanding of the client’s technology.
Tom has longstanding experience in filing and prosecuting patent applications on a global basis. For example in the field of polymer chemistry, Tom acts effectively as in-house counsel for a major global manufacturer in the areas of biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) films and cellulosic films. Tom performs a similar role for a leading supplier of force protection equipment to the US and many other militaries. Tom files and prosecutes patent and trade mark applications worldwide for these and other clients, and represents his clients in oppositions, in an advisory capacity in litigation, and also advises in connection with operational freedom and in all commercial areas affected by intellectual property.
Tom is also a contributor to various publications, most recently The United Kingdom Trade Mark Handbook (Sweet & Maxwell, 2010) and From Innovations to Cash Flows (Wiley, 2009).
- Office
- London
- Telephone
- +44 20 7240 2220
- tlb@wpt.co.uk
Publications
Tom Brand is involved in the following publications:
Trade Marks Handbook
19.01.11
This reference work provides a detailed description of the law and practice relating to trade marks in the UK, and of the relevant aspects of European and international law. A detailed description of how to register and protect a trademark is included along with discussion of key issues such as renewal and restoration, licensing and related copyright matters.
From Innovation to Cash Flows
19.01.11
This publication covers critically important topics for all entrepreneurs both new and experienced. In depth and detailed discussion of intellectual property, collaboration and funding is included while combining reference to both theoretical structure and practical examples.
