Deborah Bould MA

Partner

About

Areas of FocusConsumer Goods, Food and Retail Energy and Natural Resources Industrials Intellectual Property Technology Patent Litigation Trade Secrets

EXPERIENCE

Defending ZyXEL (a global manufacturer of WiFi routers and telecommunications networking equipment) in a high profile precedent setting UK SEP infringement case. This included working closely with ZyXEL’s US legal team defending parallel proceedings. The UK Court of Appeal permitted ZyXEL to avoid an expensive global RAND licensing trial by waiving its right to enforce claimant TQ Delta’s RAND commitments.
Defending Safran Seats in a UK patent litigation concerning safety systems for electrical power sockets in commercial aircraft seats. This included coordinating defence work in Germany and France (including a saisie contrafaçon in France).
Acting for claimant Siemens Schweiz in UK patent infringement proceedings concerning protective coatings for printed circuit boards used in smoke alarms; the case went to the UK Court of Appeal and set legal precedent regarding the right to damages following corporate restructuring.
Acting for claimant Magnesium Elektron in UK patent infringement proceedings concerning mixed metal oxides used in vehicle catalytic converters. It was necessary to serve the defendants' Chinese subsidiary and to undertake a process inspection at their Chinese manufacturing facility including taking samples for testing. Before settling, the case generated two precedential judgments concerning the evidence of infringement required for a novel process patent and the scope of the process inspection and testing.
Acting for a major European electronics retailer regarding their own brand products and accessories, including TVs, mobile phones and tablets. Deborah works with the client’s sourcing team at the development stage of the product pipeline to manage and minimise IP risk together with defending claims and negotiating licences as needed.
Advising a global aerospace manufacturer on minimising "Machine to Machine" and "Internet of Things" patent risk through intelligent procurement, RAND compliant patent assertion response procedures and proactive licensing compliance.
Representing a global oil services company in an arbitration before the London Court of International Arbitration with a former joint venture partner concerning ownership of IP, including a fundamental patent family, in subsea compressors.
Defending a UK patent infringement claim concerning the storage and transportation of drill cuttings, including coordination with Norwegian counsel defending parallel proceedings.
Acting for a UK utility company to defend a patent assertion concerning hydrogen storage of renewable energy generated from wind turbines. This was a major power utility network connected and integrated wind electrolysis/fuel cell hydrogen storage system, with associated offtake into the transport chain.

Education

Bristol University, Diploma in Intellectual Property Law and Practice, 2002

Cambridge University, Jesus College, Master of Arts, 1996

College of Law, Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice, 1994

Cambridge University, Jesus College, Natural Science and Law, Bachelor of Arts, 1993

Awards

Prior Experience

Prior to joining DLA Piper in May 2020, Deborah worked at a London based international law firm (2001 – 2020) and was a partner since 2006. Prior to that, Deborah was an Associate at a UK headquartered law firm within a global accountancy practice (1998 – 2000). Deborah trained and qualified as a Solicitor with a London based international law firm (1994 – 1998).

Memberships And Affiliations