The annual conference of the European patent judiciary in Venice on 25 and 26 October was attended by 50 leading patent judges from around Europe, patent litigation lawyers, and representatives from the EPO and the European Commission responsible for implementing the UPC system.  The conference included a mock patent infringement trial under UPC Rules, heard by judges from five countries. Three Bristows partners took part in the trial: Alan Johnson as the defendant’s representative (having, together with the claimant’s representative, submitted pleadings in advance),  Edward Nodder as an expert witness and Brian Cordery as a witness (the defendant’s CEO).

Speaking about the event, Brian Cordery commented:  “This was my first time at the EPLAW Judges Conference in Venice and it was a very special occasion for me.  The most interesting aspect was seeing the draft UPC Rules brought to life in the context of a mock-trial.  Testing the Rules in this way brought into relief several issues which even those on the drafting Committee had not considered previously.”