Fiona Neumann has over 30 years’ experience in patents and previously served on the Boards of Appeal at the European Patent Office (EPO). She graduated from Loughborough University of Technology with a degree in Physics. From 1988 to 2007 she worked as a patent examiner at the European Patent Office in Munich. As well as serving on Examining and Opposition Divisions, Fiona was responsible for monitoring the case law of the Boards of Appeal and modifying the procedural instructions for examiners so as to align EPO practice with the case law as it developed. During her time as an examiner she also trained for - and passed - the European Qualifying Examination for European patent attorneys.
In 2007 Fiona was appointed to the Boards of Appeal of the European Patent Office and served as a technically qualified member in the EPO’s final judicial instance, responsible for of the EPO. In this capacity, she had the task of reviewing contested decisions taken by the EPO’s departments of first instance in a number of very diverse technical fields and upholding or dismissing the appeal. Her expertise ranges from medical imaging technology and implantable medical stimulation devices, through smart card and RFID technologies, position sensing systems for use in automotive and military applications, to the structural design of nuclear power plants.
Fiona’s wide-ranging experience gives her an intimate understanding of all aspects of the patent application, opposition and appeal procedures.
Her extensive technical competence speaks for itself. Fiona’s unique insights into the intricacies of the practice and procedure at the EPO and her comprehensive knowledge of the case law provide an important advantage significant benefit to our clients in the prosecution of their cases. Fiona’s working languages are English, French and German.