David Webb

With a first class master's degree in Natural Sciences David advises on the technical aspects of a wide range of patent and other intellectual property matters. 

David has experience in high tech patent disputes in a range of fields, including semiconductors and telecoms, as well as in the pharmaceutical, diagnostics and healthcare sectors. He takes a particular interest in disputes around fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory (FRAND) licensing and has written a number of articles in this area.

David has worked on high profile patent litigation before the English High Court – involving highly technical expert evidence – as well as coordinating proceedings across the US, Asia and Europe. He is currently based in the Herbert Smith Freehills Seoul office and continues to advise on intellectual property matters across Europe.

David's experience includes advising: 

• Ariosa on a patent dispute concerning its Harmony® non-invasive prenatal genetic test, including validity and infringement proceedings in the UK High Court and a subsequent declaration of non-infringement
• A Korean semiconductor manufacturer on a number of highly technical patents relating to LED technology and chip architecture
• A telecoms company on potential litigation around licensing rates for a standard essential patent portfolio, including whether these rates were fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory (FRAND)
• Sanofi in UK High Court litigation relating to its leading treatment for multiple sclerosis, Aubagio® 
• A Korean lithium-ion battery manufacturer in a number of product liability litigations in the US
• A number of global pharmaceutical companies on multi-jurisdictional coordination
• A gaming company on potential copyright and trade mark infringement claims
• A global financial services firm on potential employee inventor compensation claims under the UK Patents Act 1977
• A telecoms company on restructuring its IP licence portfolio

Background

David graduated from University College London with a first class master's degree in Natural Sciences, with a focus on physics and chemistry. In 2020 he was awarded a distinction in the Postgraduate Diploma in Intellectual Property Law and Practice from Oxford University.

David is admitted as a solicitor in England & Wales and is a solicitor advocate with rights of audience in all civil proceedings. He is also admitted to the California state bar and the Central District of California federal court.