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Richard Pinckney

Partner – Patent litigation

“Richard is super bright, a strategic thinker and knows everything there is to know about technology.” (Chambers UK 2025)

Richard is a litigator focused on patents and the technology sector.

Richard has acted in some of the largest and most significant patent disputes before the UK courts. His qualifications as a solicitor advocate allow him to appear before all courts in England and Wales and he is a UPC representative.

Richard handles both patent infringement and validity and has extensive experience in enforcement and defence. Richard’s background in engineering gives him a unique edge, enabling him to navigate technical patent litigation in diverse sectors with ease.

Richard has extensive experience advising clients on FRAND and SEP matters and he has been at the forefront of the legal developments in this area throughout his career, including on the intersection with competition law.

Richard also advises on licensing disputes where patents are a focus, particularly in relation to patent licensing programs.

On nearly all of Richard’s cases he coordinates multi-jurisdictional litigation. Richard also has experience advising clients in proceedings before the EPO.

Highlights of Richard’s cases include the following:

  • Panasonic v Xiaomi and OPPO – advising Panasonic in proceedings relating to LTE SEPs, FRAND, patent infringement and validity, coordinating multijurisdictional litigation in the UK, Germany, the UPC and China.
  • Philips v OPPO, TCL, HTC and Asus – several cases advising Philips in proceedings relating to FRAND, LTE and HSDPA SEPs, patent infringement and validity, including anti-suit relief.
  • Vestel v Access Advance and Philips – advising Philips in proceedings brought by Vestel for a standalone RAND declaration.
  • IPCom v HTC and Nokia v IPCom – advising IPCom in proceedings relating to SEPs and FRAND, including damages issues and an injunction.
  • Philips Lighting v Megaman – advising Philips Lighting in proceedings against Megaman to enforce patents relating to LED lighting technology as part of Philips Lighting’s LED licensing program.
  • Unwired Planet v Samsung and Google – advising Samsung and Google in patent infringement, validity and FRAND proceedings.
  • Good Technology v AirWatch and MobileIron – advising MobileIron in patent infringement and validity proceedings relating to enterprise mobility management.
  • Philips v Nintendo – advising Philips in patent infringement and validity proceedings relating to human computer interface hardware.
  • Sandvik v Kennametal – advising Kennametal in proceedings relating to machine cutting tools, patent infringement and validity
  • Siemens v Seagate Technology – advising Siemens in patent infringement proceedings relating to magnetic hard disk drives.

Richard is a member of AIPPI (Association for Protection of Intellectual Property), EPLAW (European Patent Lawyers Association) and LES (Licensing Executive Society) and is a regular speaker at international conferences on UK patent litigation and FRAND.

Credentials

  • MEng, Engineering Science, University of Oxford
  • Diploma in Intellectual Property Law and Practice, University of Oxford
  • Qualified 2008
  • Solicitor Advocate (England and Wales) Higher Rights of Audience
  • Admitted in Republic of Ireland 2019
  • UPC Representative 2023
  • Partner 2016
  • Partner, Bristows (Ireland) LLP, 2023
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What others say

“Richard Pinckney is very good and articulate on tech.” Chambers and Partners 2026
“Bristows has a good balance of practical advice and legal prowess. Richard Pinckney is a pleasure to work with—very knowledgeable and efficient.” Legal 500 2026
“Sophie Lawrance and Richard Pinckney are determined to think through every possibility to ensure their clients get the best tactical advice. Seriously impressive knowledge of the law.” Legal 500 2026
“Richard is super bright, a strategic thinker and knows everything there is to know about technology.” Chambers and Partners 2025
“Stand-out partners are Myles Jelf and Richard Pinckney.” Legal 500 2025
“Richard is attractive in his style of client relationship management.” Chambers and Partners 2024
“Myles Jelf, Richard Pinkney and James Boon are all fiercely bright and really know their stuff in respect of telecoms and high category technical litigation. They foster teams that work hard and deliver the highest and most exacting standards. Always a pleasure to work with.” Legal 500 2024
“Stand-out partners are Myles Jelf and Richard Pinckney.” Legal 500 2024

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