ThomasBouvet

Partner

Paris + 33.1.56.59.39.39

Thomas Bouvet has more than 25 years of experience in patent, trade secret, and plant variety rights litigation and is listed regularly among the best patent lawyers in France. His track record in enforcing and defending patents, for start-up or international groups, is significant.

Thomas has worked as lead trial counsel on high-profile matters in almost all fields of technology, including life sciences (drugs, biotechnologies, diagnostics, medical devices), chemistry, and electronics, as well as transportation, construction material, mechanics, consumer products, and leisure goods, most of them with a cross-border dimension. He advises on specific issues raised by supplementary protection certificates and standard essential patents. Thomas works closely with clients to establish policies regarding the protection of trade secrets or compensation for employee inventions and is regularly involved in the drafting of research, transfer of technology, and license agreements.

Thomas is a member of the International Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property (AIPPI), Rhône-Alpes Group for the Protection of Intellectual Property (GRAPI, former president), the European Patent Lawyers Association (EPLAW), and the French association of industrial property litigators (AAPI). He is an administrator of Centre Paul Roubier, a research and training organization in industrial property law.

Thomas is the author of a doctoral thesis on The Legal Protection of Vegetal Innovation and coauthor of Saisie-contrefaçon (Dalloz, 3nd edition 2013), Droit et pratique des voies d'exécution (Dalloz Action, 2004-2005), Global Patent Litigation: How and Where to Win (Bloomberg BNA, 2014), and Patent Protection for Second Medical Uses (Wolters Kluwer, Second Edition, 2020).

Experience

  • Andrew Dzurak and Allectus Capital create leading quantum computing company, Diraq Pty LtdJones Day acted for Professor Andrew Dzurak and Allectus Capital, in the creation of a leading quantum computing company, Diraq Pty Ltd (formerly, SiMOS Newco Pty Ltd) whose founding shareholders consist of the University of New South Wales, Allectus Capital and Professor Dzurak.
  • Sanofi announces carve-out creating EUROAPI and spin-off of approximately 58% of shares to its shareholdersJones Day advised Sanofi in the carve out creating EUROAPI (a leading European company dedicated to the development, production and marketing of active pharmaceutical ingredients) and the listing of this entity on Euronext Paris and the placement of 12% to the French State (through French Tech Souveraineté) for a price of up to €150 million.
  • French biotech company seeks to audit and to improve existing trade secret protection policyJones Day is advising a French biotechnology company with respect to auditing and improving its existing trade secret protection policy.
  • SAP acquires Qualtrics for $8 billionJones Day advised SAP in its $8 billion acquisition of Qualtrics International Inc., the global pioneer in the experience management software category.
  • Sanofi sells infectious disease unit to EvotecJones Day advised Sanofi in the sale of its infectious disease unit to Evotec AG.
  • Naos defends patent infringement action in field of cosmeticsJones Day successfully represented Naos in defense of a patent infringement action relating to its sunscreen products.
  • UCB appeals French IPO expiry date for supplementary protection certificateJones Day successfully represented UCB S.A./N.V. in an appeal against a decision by the director of the French IPO, which refused to correct the expiry date of a supplementary protection certificate (SPC).
  • Car manufacturer defends against employee's request for additional remunerationJones Day successfully assisted a car manufacturing client in defending against a request for the payment of additional remuneration in relation to an employee's inventions.
  • Star Fruits, WAAA fend off plant variety right revocation procedureJones Day successfully represented Star Fruits and WAAA in defending against a community plant variety right revocation procedure involving apples.
  • Naos SAS defeats patent infringement claims over treatment of atopic skin disorderJones Day successfully represented Naos SAS in defense to an action for alleged infringement of two patents regarding products for the treatment of atopic skin disorder.
  • Knauf Insulation defends patent infringement action involving construction materialJones Day successfully represented Knauf Insulation GmbH in a patent infringement action involving its construction material, resulting in a dismissal of plaintiff Saint-Gobain Isover's request for a preliminary injunction.
  • The following represents experience acquired prior to joining Jones Day.

    Life Sciences Highlights

    Defended medical device manufacturer in trade secret violation action regarding bone cement technology (2016).

    Represented drug manufacturer suing three generic companies over drug for the treatment of schizophrenia (2016).

    Represented large cosmetic company in defending patent infringement action on the treatment of atopic skin disorders (2016).

    Represented large cosmetic company in defending patent infringement action on sun protection product (2016).

    Represented medical device manufacturer in patent infringement action over urinary catheters (2016).

    Represented big pharma manufacturer in patent entitlement action regarding G-CSF (2015).

    Represented medical device manufacturer in patent infringement action over dental braces (2015).

    Represented pharmaceutical company in patent infringement matter over allergy immunotherapy treatment (2012).

    Advised French public health research institute in relation to patent entitlement actions regarding age-related macular degeneration (2012).

    Represented major diagnostic company in patent infringement action regarding DNA detection kit for HIV infection (2010).

    Represented original drug manufacturer in patent infringement action over compound manufacturing process (2006).

    Electronics Highlights

    Represented a patentee in infringement action over speed radar detectors (2016).

    Represented patentee in infringement action relating to EMV standard (non-essential patent) (2016).

    Represented defendant in patent infringement action relating to a secured payment means (2016).

    Advised patentee in contemplated infringement action in relation to LTE, WiFi, and DVB-T standards (2015).

    Defended manufacturer of hyaluronic acid in patent infringement action (2014).

    Represented defendant in patent infringement action regarding set-top box for VOD and Internet access (2011).

    Advised TV broadcasting company in dispute based on 150+ patent portfolio (2009).

    Chemistry Highlights

    Represented company in large trade secret violation action regarding insecticide incorporated polyethylene (2015).

    Represented major chemical product manufacturer in patent infringement action over the treatment of cellulite by intelligent textile (2015).

    Represented major chemical company in patent action over automotive catalytic converters.

    Mechanics Highlights

    Represented helicopter manufacturing company in patent infringement action regarding landing gears (2015).

    Represented floor panel manufacturer in patent infringement action (2016).

    Represented major motorcycle manufacture in patent infringement action over scooter and motorcycle injectors and body parts (2016).

    Represented patentee in infringement action over product packing robot (2014).

    Defended manufacturer of hot end glass molding quality control device (2014).

    Represented engine manufacturer in patent infringement action over power generator (2014).

    Represented major equipment manufacturer in patent infringement action regarding HPLC devices (2011).

    Defended leading ski lift manufacturer in patent infringement action over breaks control (2014).

    Defended windscreen wipers manufacturer in patent infringement action (2014).

    Defended manufacturer of gabions in patent infringement action (2012).

    Employee Invention Highlights

    Represented employer in claims for additional remuneration regarding 400+ patents (2016).

    Represented employer in more than 15 actions for the payment of additional remuneration in most technical fields before the CNIS or national courts.

    Advised clients in the drafting of employee invention policies in industry fields including chemistry, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, metals, and plant breeding.

    Plant Breeders' Rights Highlights

    Represented PBR owner in infringement action over apples, apricots, salads, shallots, and strawberries.

    Represented PBR owner in infringement action over cut roses.

    Arranged major custom seizure of cut flowers and grapes.

    Represented PBR owner in nullity action before the community plant variety office.

    Drafted PBR licence agreements in the apple and tobacco industries.

    Speaking Engagements

    • April 22, 2022
      AIPPI Trilateral meeting: First experience on the protection of trade secrets in France, Germany and Poland further to the implementation of the Trade Secret Directive
    • March 10, 2022
      AIPPI - CEIPI Joint Webinar: The protection of trade secrets
    • January 27, 2022
      Centre Paul Roubier: Advanced course on the protection of Trade Secrets
    • January 25, 2022
      GRAPI - Management of employee inventions in international groups
    • November 29, 2021
      Cycle de formation du CEIPI - La protection des secrets des affaires
    • November 24, 2021
      Cycle de formation IEEPI - Gérer les conflits post-licence et lutter contre le contrefaçon de brevets
    • June 22, 2021
      AIPPI - AIPLA Joint webinar : IP Waiver on vaccines
    • November 25, 2020
      Actualisation du droit des brevets, Centre Paul Roubier
    • November 16, 2020
      Secret des affaires, CEIPI
    • November 5, 2020
      Actualisation du droit des brevets, Centre Paul Roubier
    • September 3, 2020
      Trade Secret
    • November 7-8, 2019
      ERA, Annual conference on European patent law: recent trends regarding life science inventions
    • September 20, 2019
      SPC Blog Seminar
    • June 24, 2019
      Start-up et PI; Nouvelles économies et biens immatériels; colloque de l'AMP CEIPI
    • May 16, 2019
      Intelligence artificielle et propriété intellectuelle (Artificial Intelligence and IP) GRAPI
    • March 21, 2019
      Trade Secrets: A comparative analysis from US, Japan and EU LL.M. Univ-LYON 3 Conference
    • February 7, 2019
      Protection des secrets d'affaires Trade Secret Protection Centre Paul Roubier
    • February 1, 2019
      Italy meets France in IP: a story of food and fashion, AIPPI
    • June 6, 2018
      Les secrets d'affaires: de la directive à sa transposition (Trade secret protection from the Directive to its implementation) Centre Paul Roubier
    • 30 novembre 2017
      Les rendez-vous de la propriété intellectuelle – 4ème volet : La protection des secrets d'affaires
    • 29 juin 2017
      Les rendez-vous de la propriété intellectuelle - 2ème volet : Comment se préparer à des saisies contrefaçon ou des saisies article 145 CPC ?
    • 30 mars 2017
      Les rendez-vous de la propriété intellectuelle - 1er volet : Gestion des créations de salariés
    • 28 mai 2017
      Les conséquences du Brexit en matière de brevets d'invention (Centre Paul Roubier)
    • February 2, 2017
      La juridiction unifiée du brevet et le brevet européen à effet unitaire. Centre Paul Roubier
    • November 15, 2016
      La stratégie de défense des droits en Europe
    • September 21, 2016
      Skinny Labels… wide impact, AIPPI
    • September 21, 2016
      Skinny Labels… wide impact
    • April 20, 2016
      Patents on plants, Representation of North-Rhine Westphalia to the EU
    • April 20, 2016
      Patents on plants, Representation of North-Rhine Westphalia to the EU
    • February 2, 2016
      La juridiction unifiée du brevet européen à effet unitaire
    • January 28, 2016
      Inventions de salariés : actualité et contentieux
    • March 20, 2015
      UPC Update and conclusions for national litigation, German-French-Polish IP Seminar 2015, AIPPI
    • January 1, 2015
      Global patent litigation: How and where to win - Tokyo, Seoul, Pekin, Shangaï, Suzhou, Global Patent Litigation: Asian tour