Practice Areas
Biography
Philippe Ahner joined the firm in 2001, after gaining initial experience at an IP firm in Australia, followed by a year in the Patent Department of the French Defense Procurement Agency (DGA).
He assists innovative companies in protecting and promoting their intangible assets, working in a wide range of technical fields: aircraft turbine engines, aeronautical structures, transport of radioactive materials, medical devices, general mechanics, etc.
As head of a highly experienced Patent Business Unit, Philippe’s activities are varied:
- drafting patent applications,
- monitoring grant procedures in France and internationally,
- managing opposition proceedings,
- conducting freedom-to-operate and infringement studies,
- providing support in patent litigation.
Since the beginning of his career, he has drafted more than 1,000 patent applications for his clients and supervised several hundred others within his team of advisors.
His experience also extends to dozens of opposition proceedings before the EPO since 2005, in many technical fields, with a high success rate.
Among his notable achievements is a recent case in which he successfully appealed to the EPO Board of Appeal to overturn a first instance decision revoking his client’s patent (T_1964/22).
Philippe attaches particular importance to trust, sharing, and proactivity, both within his team and with his clients. His appetite for knowledge transfer extends beyond borders, as evidenced by his numerous presentations in Asia to clients and colleagues on topics related to the Unitary Patent (UP) and the Unified Patent Court (UPC).
Education
- General engineer from Hautes Etudes Industrielles (HEI)
- Graduate of the Center for International Studies in Industrial Property (Patents, Trademarks, Designs, and Models)
- Diploma in “Patent Litigation in Europe” (EPL)
Professional IP associations
- EPI: Institute of Professional Representatives before the European Patent Office
- EPLIT : European Patent Litigators Association
Professional distinctions
Professional Ethics
Our IP attorneys and lawyers are bound by a strict code of professional conduct, ensuring the highest ethical standards in their relations with both clients and peers. They are committed to safeguarding the client’s economic interests, carrying out their mission through to completion, and working with full transparency (quotes, billing, general terms and conditions, ancillary costs).
Conflicts of Interest
Our IP attorneys and lawyers comply with the ethical rules of their profession regarding conflicts of interest. They ensure that no conflict exists before starting a new assignment and promptly inform the client of any situation that could interfere with the proper conduct of the assignment and/or risk compromising its objective execution.