Autoliv Case Study

Successful defence of a European patent for a new configuration of pedestrian airbag, securing broad and powerful claims.

Autoliv is a Tier 1 supplier to the automotive industry, recognised as the world’s largest producer of automotive safety equipment and a leading airbag specialist. Simon Parry has represented Autoliv for over 25 years.

We were selected by Autoliv to draft and prosecute a European patent application for a novel pedestrian airbag configuration intended to deploy across the windscreen of a motor vehicle to protect pedestrians. The patent was granted with broad and powerful claims. At the time, Autoliv was negotiating with a major OEM to supply airbags covered by this patent. The patent was subsequently opposed by Autoliv’s competitor, Takata, posing a risk to these crucial negotiations. We successfully defended the patent, with the EPO Opposition Division rejecting the opposition and maintaining the patent as granted. Notably, the Opposition Division incorporated Simon’s “washing line” analogy, used during the hearing to illustrate what the skilled person would understand by the term “connected between,” in their written decision, affirming the invention’s novelty and inventiveness.

The successful defence of this patent was critical for Autoliv, ensuring continued protection of their innovative pedestrian airbag design. This not only fortified Autoliv’s competitive position but also supported their negotiations with a major OEM, potentially leading to significant commercial opportunities. The recognition of Simon’s “washing line” analogy by the Opposition Division underscored the effectiveness of our arguments and contributed to a favourable outcome for our client.