- European Patent Attorney
- Chartered Patent Attorney
- European Trade Mark Attorney
- European Design Attorney
- Patent Attorney Litigator
- Degree in Electronic and Electrical Engineering, King College, London
- MSc in Microwaves and Optics, University College, London
- PhD in Semi-Conductors, University of Sheffield
- LLM in Intellectual Property Litgation, Nottingham Trent University
Robert founded Franks & Co in May 1996. He has 15 years experience in general patent and trade mark agency, covering a wide range of generalist technologies, and the whole gamut of intellectual property including patents, designs, trade marks, copyright and licensing.
Qualifications
European Patent Attorney, Chartered Patent Attorney, European Trade Mark Attorney, Registered Trade Mark Attorney, European Design Attorney, Certificate in Intellectual Property Litigation, Chartered Engineer, European Engineer (FEANI), Degree in Electronic and Electrical Engineering, Kings College, London, Msc in Microwaves & Optics, University College, London, PhD in Semiconductors, University of Sheffield, LLM in Intellectual Property Litigation, Nottingham Trent University
Technical
Robert read Electronics and Electrical Engineering at Kings College London, then gained his MSc in Microwaves and Optics at University College London followed by a PhD in Semiconductor Technology at the University of Sheffield.
Industrial and research experience includes working for British Aerospace and General Electric Company in addition to industry focused University based research. He has published papers on GaAIAs/GaAs III-V materials, photo-detectors, and optical fibre systems.
Professional
Robert is a representative before the UK Patent Office, UK Trade Marks Registry, UK Designs Registry, European Patent Office, Community Trade Marks and Designs Office (OHIM), and the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO).
A major part of Robert's practice is representing large US, Japanese and far Eastern corporations before the European Patent Office, and servicing the ever increasing demand from abroad for high quality representation before the EPO.
In the field of patents, Robert is experienced in computer software and hardware, business methods, electronics, telecommunications and electrical engineering. He serves on the Computer Technology Committee of the Chartered Institute of Patent Agents.
For patent matters he acts for two of the largest international IT companies and a leading telecommunications organisation. Robert also drafts, files and prosecutes patent applications for both UK and overseas University clients.
Robert also has a wide range of general experience acquired over the years, including in the fields of building products, medical devices, civil engineering, fluid motors, automotive engineering, retail point of sale equipment, transport, health, robotics and consumer durables.
Robert is qualified in civil litigation and has experience with litigating of eleven trade mark, copyright and design cases in the UK High Court, as well as additional oppositions and oral proceedings at the European Patent Office and the UK Trade Marks Registry. Robert serves on the Special Interest Group for Patent Litigators, of the Chartered Institute of Patent Agents.
For Trade Marks, Robert has over 15 years experience in the filing and prosecution of UK, European, International and foreign trade mark applications for well known high street brands including those in the domestic home appliance and sanitation industries as well as for a wide range of smaller and medium size companies, and has experience of managing worldwide trade marks portfolios for several well known brands.
Robert is also active in the securing and enforcement of registered and unregistered design rights, in the UK, and abroad.
Robert is a Chartered Engineer (C Eng) and a member of the Institute of Electrical Engineers (IEE). Robert is also a European Engineer (Eur Eng).