Matthew Smith

Matthew is a leading UK and European Patent Attorney working in the fast paced and dynamic field of high-performance materials, nanotechnology, and energy storage solutions.

His fascination with 2D materials like graphene fuels his commitment to protecting groundbreaking innovations. By combining his skill in navigating the complexities of IP law with a deep understanding of scientific principles, Matthew empowers clients to harness the potential of their ideas and shape the future.

Mathew’s diverse patent practice spans the realms of chemical and material sciences, and his clients range from multinational corporations to research institutions and university technology transfer departments.  Matthew works with his clients as a trusted advisor, using a collaborative approach to ensure he really understands their goals and ambitions. This enables him to provide strategic guidance tailored to each client's unique needs, designed to maximise their competitive advantage in the global marketplace. 

Matthew is dedicated to empowering clients throughout the innovation lifecycle, from research and development to commercialisation. He frequently engages in educational initiatives, delivering seminars and lectures on European IP practices, thereby enhancing understanding and application of IP strategies across various industries.

EPO Oppositions expertise

Matthew has worked on many opposition cases, both offensive and defensive, including:

EP3369596: Saint-Gobain Glass France vs Central Glass Co., Ltd. Successful defence of this patent, under our Main Request, relating to vehicle window glasses.

EP2772576, T1343/18: Strawman Limited vs Toyobo Co., Ltd.  Successful action to revoke this patent related to loop bonded network structures used for items such as cushions or mattresses.  The revocation decision taken by the Opposition Division was upheld by the Board of Appeal.

EP1985649: Borealis AG vs Toray Industries, Inc. Successful defence of this patent protecting aspects of a polypropylene film product.  The patent was maintained as granted.

EP2692913, T2931/18: Müller-Boré & Partner Patentanwälte PartG mbB vs Toray Industries, Inc. Successful defence of this patent related to liquid crystalline polyester fibers.  The patent was maintained with the claims as granted; in appeal it was again upheld with the claims as granted. 

Technical and Professional skills

• Specialist in High-Performance and Advanced Materials Innovation: With deep expertise in advanced materials, Matthew advises multinational corporations and academic institutions alike on protection strategies for cutting-edge innovations in ceramics, composites, and nanotechnology.  Matthew is well-respected in the local and international Graphene and other 2D materials community and well placed to advise his clients on IP landscapes, trends and opportunities.
  
  
• Persuasive Advocate: Matthew has a strong success rate in opposition and appeal procedures at the EPO, and has represented clients at EPO oral proceedings for many years. Matthew’s track record in oral argumentation is enviable, often securing his clients’ Main Requests even in the face of negative preliminary opinions.
  
  
• IP strategist: Matthew excels at aligning intellectual property strategies with business goals, providing clients with actionable guidance from early-stage R&D to commercialisation.  His work with UK and Europe based start-up and SME clients in particular has been extensive, he works with them to contextualise IP as an essential part of their broader business strategy.
  
  
• Engaging Educator: A seasoned presenter and trainer, Matthew frequently delivers seminars and lectures on intellectual property law to clients and larger audiences, collaborating with organisations such as JIPA (Japanese Intellectual Property Association) and JPAA (Japanese Patent Attorneys Association) to enhance understanding and application across multiple jurisdictions.
  
  
• Solid foundations: Matthew has a Master’s degree in chemistry from the University of Oxford. He joined Mewburn Ellis in 2006, qualifying as a Chartered Patent Attorney and European Patent Attorney in 2010, and became a partner in 2015. Matthew is authorised to represent clients at the UPC.

Recommendations

Matthew has been recognised in Managing Intellectual Property’s IP Stars from 2021-2024 as a “Patent star”.

Published Articles

Reflecting his passion for advanced materials innovation Matthew has written many articles on this topic.  His content has been featured in a variety of leading publications such as: Materials World, Patent Lawyer and WIPR.

Matthew led on the Mewburn Ellis special report Graphene: patenting a wonder material which focussed on graphene innovations over the last decade.

Memberships and Affiliations

Matthew is a member of the Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys (CIPA) and The Institute of Professional Representatives before the European Patent Office (epi).

Matthew has strong links to the world-class multi-million-pound Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre (GEIC), a Manchester based facility that specialises in the rapid development and scale-up of graphene and other 2D materials applications.  He is a regular visitor and provides on-site IP advice and support to the innovator community as well IP seminars and training.