Boult Wade Tennant
People » Dr Nigel Tucker

Dr Nigel Tucker

Partner

Reading

Contact
v-card Download V-card
Address
Memberships
  • CIPA
  • EPI
  • Institute of Physics
Qualifications
  • European Patent Attorney
  • Chartered Patent Attorney
  • Chartered Physicist
  • PhD Surface Science, University of Liverpool
  • BSc Physics, University of Liverpool

While my academic background lies in physics (I have a PhD in Surface Physics), I have spent most of my professional life specialising in the field of aerospace. Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are increasingly having an impact in this field, and I have now worked on many patent applications resulting from these developments.

I spent an early part of my career as an in-house Patent Attorney for BAE Systems, with responsibility for their research and development centres, and I have been constantly involved in aerospace work since moving to Boult. Hence, I have developed a great deal of expertise in the field. Inevitably, this has included more or more experience of working on AI-related patent applications as this exciting new tool has been increasingly applied to aerospace problems.

An example is the use of AI in non-destructive evaluation of structures, such as those found in aircraft and other vehicles. Such systems often make use of networks of sensors that monitor the structure and look for signals indicative of damage such as cracks within composite structures that will grow and eventually lead to failure of the structure. These sensors generate a huge amount of data, both from healthy and increasingly damaged structures that are now being used to train AI to identify damage and even potential damage at an earlier stage.

Another major area of application for AI is that of automation. I am seeing this being applied increasingly in aerospace, particularly in unmanned vehicles that are seeing ever-increasing levels of autonomy. The uses of AI and ML are becoming more and more diverse, and it will be fascinating to see how this continues over the coming years and how patent law responds.

As in any emerging area of technology, patent law around the world takes time to harmonise. Consequently, drafting patent applications relating to AI and ML requires special care to ensure that the different requirements can be met. This is also true when bringing patent applications drafted elsewhere into Europe. The amendments we make upon filing in Europe align patent applications better with the European Patent Office and UK Intellectual Property Office’s specific requirements regarding AI inventions, and lead to greater success for our clients.

Recent experience
Publications
  • Contributing author on Concise European Patent Law, published by Kluwer Law International.
Relevant Search Terms
Recommended Sites
Suggested Media
Recognitions
Additional Info
Languages
Sector Experience
Aerospace
  • Commercial aviation
  • Defence and security
  • Space and satellites
  • Unmanned aerial vehicles
Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
Automotive
  • Electric vehicles
  • Engines
Communications and Networks
  • Cloud computing
  • Wired and wireless networks
Computing and Software
  • Artificial intelligence and machine learning
  • Communications and networks
  • Data and software security, cryptography and digital rights management (DRM)
  • Data management and storage, databases and data compression
  • Digital assistants, virtual assistants and software agents
  • Fintech and adtech
  • Machine vision
  • Metaverse, virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR)
  • Multimedia, audio/video processing and animation
  • Robotic process automation
  • Signal processing
  • Software applications and systems, mobile applications, user interfaces
Consumer Goods and Retail
  • Anti-counterfeit devices
  • Beauty
  • Fashion
  • Health, fitness and sport
  • Household goods
  • Moda
Electronics and Electrical Devices
  • Computer and IT architecture and system design
  • Medical devices
  • Optics
  • Robotics
  • Scientific instruments
  • Semiconductor devices
  • Testing systems, control systems, signal processing
  • Wearable tech and human interfaces
Energy and Green Technologies
  • Fuel cells and battery technology
  • Water, oil and gas, nuclear, fusion, fission
Industrial Manufacturing and Processing
  • Printing tech
  • Additive manufacturing
Materials
  • Advanced materials
  • Composite materials
  • Metallurgy and alloys
  • Nanotechnology
Medical Devices and Diagnostics
  • Devices
  • Diagnostic instruments
  • Digital health
  • Medtech

While my academic background lies in physics (I have a PhD in Surface Physics), I have spent most of my professional life specialising in the field of aerospace. Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are increasingly having an impact in this field, and I have now worked on many patent applications resulting from these developments.

I spent an early part of my career as an in-house Patent Attorney for BAE Systems, with responsibility for their research and development centres, and I have been constantly involved in aerospace work since moving to Boult. Hence, I have developed a great deal of expertise in the field. Inevitably, this has included more or more experience of working on AI-related patent applications as this exciting new tool has been increasingly applied to aerospace problems.

An example is the use of AI in non-destructive evaluation of structures, such as those found in aircraft and other vehicles. Such systems often make use of networks of sensors that monitor the structure and look for signals indicative of damage such as cracks within composite structures that will grow and eventually lead to failure of the structure. These sensors generate a huge amount of data, both from healthy and increasingly damaged structures that are now being used to train AI to identify damage and even potential damage at an earlier stage.

Another major area of application for AI is that of automation. I am seeing this being applied increasingly in aerospace, particularly in unmanned vehicles that are seeing ever-increasing levels of autonomy. The uses of AI and ML are becoming more and more diverse, and it will be fascinating to see how this continues over the coming years and how patent law responds.

As in any emerging area of technology, patent law around the world takes time to harmonise. Consequently, drafting patent applications relating to AI and ML requires special care to ensure that the different requirements can be met. This is also true when bringing patent applications drafted elsewhere into Europe. The amendments we make upon filing in Europe align patent applications better with the European Patent Office and UK Intellectual Property Office’s specific requirements regarding AI inventions, and lead to greater success for our clients.

Recent experience
Publications
  • Contributing author on Concise European Patent Law, published by Kluwer Law International.
Relevant Search Terms
Recommended Sites
Suggested Media
Recognitions
Additional Info

Insights

G1/23 decision published

In G1/23, the EPO Enlarged Board confirmed that marketed products and related public technical info form prior art - even if reproduction is complex or not feasible pre-filing.

G1/24 explained: the description and figures must be considered in claim interpretation

G1/24 clarifies claim interpretation under the EPC, confirming that the description and drawings must always be consulted - an important shift in EPO practice.

G1/24: The Enlarged Board of Appeal issues its decision

In G1/24, the EPO Enlarged Board ruled that claims must always be interpreted in light of the description and drawings when assessing patentability, even if the claims appear clear on their own.

Update on the referral to the Enlarged Board of Appeal on claim interpretation (G1/24)

In July 2024, we published our comments on the appeal case referring to a “gathered sheet” which led to the following three

Status of assumed infringers intervening in appeals (G2/24 referral)

There has been a new referral to the European Patent Office’s Enlarged Board of Appeal which may result in a broadening of

UPC decides on first doctrine of equivalents case

The first Unified Patent Court (UPC) decision (Plant-e v. Arkyne) discussing the doctrine of equivalents has recently published. In the decision, the

Preliminary Opinion on G 1/23

Previous case G1/92 referred questions to the Enlarged Board of Appeal regarding whether the chemical composition of a product is made available

New referral to the Enlarged Board of Appeal on claim interpretation

A European Patent Office (EPO) Board of Appeal has recently referred three questions to the Enlarged Board of Appeal to seek clarity

A dream mountain bike, courtesy of additive manufacture

One of my interests outside of work is mountain biking. Being a patent attorney, I inevitably love the technology that goes into

Priority following consolidated cases G1/22 and G2/22

The Enlarged Board of Appeal’s recent decision in consolidated cases G1/22 and G2/22 has greatly simplified the consideration of priority entitlement at

The end of the EPO’s ten-day notification rule

The EPO’s plans to abolish the 10-day notification rule will come into force on 1 November 2023. With just a month to

Proposed changes to US patent law – patent eligibility, inter partes review and post grant review

In June 2023, the US Senate proposed changes to US patent law to address patent subject matter eligibility, inter partes reviews and

INSIGHTS