IP judges report: interviews from the world’s key jurisdictions

Ever wondered what annoys an IP judge? Ever considered how they approach a case? Or perhaps you’re just curious about how they use their spare time? To find the answers to these questions and more, look no further than our special report – which comprises interviews with leading judges across the world’s major IP jurisdictions.

In an unprecedented exercise, we spoke directly to the senior IP judiciary to find out their views on a range of subjects from courtroom best practice to case preparation. The interviews, which in some cases were conducted face to face, are aimed at any IP specialists involved in litigation, not to mention anyone who wants to learn how those at the top of their game perform.  

In mid-2019, we embarked on a mission to interview leading judges worldwide – and this report is the culmination of our efforts to date. Since we published the interview with Mr Justice Henry Carr, he sadly passed away. Mr Justice Richard Arnold was promoted to Lord Justice of Appeal after his interview was published, and our conversation with Justice Peter Huber, following which we broke a major story about the Unified Patent Court, was framed mainly on one case.

We hope you enjoy reading these interviews, and we welcome your feedback.

Judge Sam Granata, Court of Appeal (Antwerp Division)

Justice Roger Lafrenière, Canada Federal Court

Justice Michael Manson, Canada Federal Court 

Deputy Chief Judge Li Jian, IP division of China’s Supreme People’s Court

President Carl Josefsson, Boards of Appeal

President João Negrão, Boards of Appeal

Judge Johanna Brückner-Hofmann, Düsseldorf District Court  

Judge Klaus Grabinski, Federal Court of Justice

Justice Peter Huber, Federal Constitutional Court

Presiding Judge Stephanie Zöllner, Hamburg Regional Court 

Judge Mukta Gupta, Delhi High Court 

Judge Prathiba Singh, Delhi High Court 

Judge Pierluigi Perrotti, Court of Milan, IP Division

Judge Florencio Molina López, Commercial Court of Barcelona 

Judge Ricardo Guillermo Vinatea Medina, Supreme Court of Peru

Lord Justice Richard Arnold, England and Wales Court of Appeal

Mr Justice Colin Birss, England and Wales High Court

The late Mr Justice Henry Carr, England and Wales High Court

Lord David Kitchin, UK Supreme Court

Mr Justice Richard Meade, England and Wales High Court

Mr Justice James Mellor, England and Wales High Court

Judge Alan Albright, US District Court for the Western District of Texas

Judge Cathy Bencivengo, US District Court for the Southern District of California

Chief Judge Scott Boalick, PTAB

Judge James Donato, US District Court for the Northern District of California 

Chief Judge Rodney Gilstrap, US District Court for the Eastern District of Texas

Chief Judge Philip Gutierrez, US District Court for the Central District of California

Senior Judge Irene Keeley, US District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia

Judge Virginia Kendall, US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois

Judge Kathleen O'Malley, US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit

Chief Administrative Trademark Judge Gerard Rogers, TTAB

Chief Judge Leonard Stark, US District Court for the District of Delaware