Williams, Robert
Bird & Bird | Partner
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Robert is one of the team's prominent practitioners, with particular experience of complex IP strategy & disputes and advising clients from a range of IP rich industries.
Rob is a partner and co-head of our Intellectual Property Group in London.
He has significant experience in both contentious and non-contentious IP work, advising on the full range of issues relating to patents, copyright, trade marks, designs and trade secrets/confidential information. He also jointly leads our International Trade Secrets Protection Group.
Rob has particular experience of complex IP disputes (with a focus on multi-jurisdictional patent litigation and trade secrets disputes) and has advised clients from a range of IP rich industries, including life sciences, energy and utilities, speciality chemicals, mechanical engineering and electronics on various strategic IP issues including freedom to operate opinions and lifecycle management.
He was a member of the teams acting for Pfizer in patent cases concerning the blockbuster products Viagra and Lipitor, and acted for Synthon in its action against GSK concerning paroxetine mesylate, which resulted in one of the leading House of Lords judgments on the law of novelty in the UK. He also acted for BP Chemicals in two actions against Hoechst Celanese relating to acetic acid production and for Sir Robert McAlpine in a high profile passing off dispute with Alfred McAlpine. Other significant cases he has handled have been for Rovi Corp in a patent dispute with Virgin Media concerning electronic programme guides, for BT in a dispute with ASSIA Inc. related to patents covering broadband line management technology and most recently for Swiss pharma company Actelion, in a patent dispute with Eli Lilly & Icos Corp concerning Tadalafil.
Rob obtained a BSc degree in Chemistry and Law, and a BA degree in Law from Exeter University before undertaking his training with us. He has written and spoken on a range of IP topics and is an associate of the Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys (CIPA) and the Chartered Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys (CITMA).