James Clegg

James Clegg

European Patent Attorney

MChem, EPA

James has significant experience working with a wide range clients to protect their chemical and life science inventions. His background in academic and industrial research enables him to understand clients’ patent protection needs for a wide range of applications in the chemical and pharmaceutical sectors.
James prosecutes patent applications in numerous jurisdictions including Europe, the US, and China. He has experience prosecuting and drafting patent applications across a broad spectrum of inventions ranging from advanced fuel additives to new medical treatments.

James joined Appleyard Lees and the patent profession in 2022 after attaining a first class Master of Chemistry degree (MChem) from the University of York, followed by two and a half years industrial experience in oncological drug discovery research.

James is a member of the Institute of Professional Representatives before the European Patent Office (EPI), and a student member of Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys (CIPA).

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Thought leadership from James Clegg:

Trainee blogs Jun212024

Staying on top of European caselaw

Written by trainees for trainees.
Many intellectual property articles relating to European patent law cover specific “cases” and “decisions” from the European Patent Office (EPO) such as “T 1473/19”. Some instead cover broader trends in areas of “caselaw” such as “Patentability of second medical use claims at the EPO”. This article aims to provide a helpful understanding of the wider system from which these new interpretations of law emerge.

Trainee blogs Jul072023

Trainee blog: technical lunches – an opportunity to network internally and practice presenting

Trainee patent attorney James Clegg discusses joining technical lunches in our Manchester office.

Articles May032023

T 1688/20 and arguing novelty in examination and opposition proceedings

In T 1688/20, the Board of Appeal has deviated from novelty criteria with respect to selection inventions as set out in the EPO guidelines for examination (G-VI, 8, ii), in favour of applying the “Gold Standard” test of novelty. This decision may be useful when arguing novelty in examination and opposition proceedings.

Trainee blogs Feb242023

Attending a patent opposition hearing

Recently, we were invited to observe an opposition hearing before the European Patent Office (EPO).