Edwards Wildman Palmer (Edwards Wildman) has a long established intellectual property practice devoted to procuring, managing, asserting and defending intellectual property rights (including patents, trade marks and copyright). The work undertaken by the IP practice is varied and is often international in nature.

The Firm's Intellectual Property Group has more than 80 lawyers spread over 7 offices. Those practising in the patents and Life Sciences area generally hold degrees in technical and scientific disciplines, many with PHDs . The Life Science and Chemical Practice group is at the forefront of the field, advising pharmaceutical and chemical companies, bio-tech companies, and capital investors . This includes complex patent litigation involving infringement, validity and oppositions; patent prosecution; commercial work such as collaborations, technology transfer and licensing ; and transactional advice relating to mergers, acquisitions and joint ventures.

We also have strong trade mark and copyright practice. We assist our clients in obtaining, asserting and protecting the rights they hold in their brands, copyright works, services and products. On the trade mark side we manage trade mark portfolios of many household brands, conduct and advise on litigation including trade mark infringement, trade dress and passing off. The utilisation and enforcement of copyright in a variety of fields, including software, music, published works, jewellery, textiles, and packaging is a significant area of our practice.

We also undertake varied corporate IP work for our clients, negotiating and implementing all IP aspects of corporate transactions ranging from simple to the most complex. This includes licences, collaboration agreements, material transfer agreements, technology development agreements, and multinational corporate acquisitions , mergers and joint ventures.

In the UK there are 7 partners, of which 3 are European Patent Agents. In London the practice is focussed on contentious and non contentious patents, trade mark and copyright work.

The trademark and brand protection practice was strengthened in 2009 when John Olsen and a 16-strong team joined the London office.  John joins Maria Scungio (based in New York) as co-chair of the firm's International Trademark and Copyright Protection Group.

The Southampton office is focussed on patent prosecution work. Apart from conducting matters in the English Courts, the European Patent Office and the Community Trade Mark office, they conduct and manage matters in various countries and often work closely with the US lawyers. They also do transactional and commercial IP work and have been involved in complex deals. The UK Partners are recommended by the Legal 500 in their areas of expertise.