Bruce C. Dearling

European Patent Attorney,

Chartered Patent & Chartered

Trade Mark Attorney – U.K.

Professional Representative Before the UPC

Conseil en Propriété Industrielle – LUX

Mandataire en propriété intellectuelle – Belge

Email: bcd@hepworthbrowne.com

Bruce has extensive experience in patent prosecution particularly in the fields of software, computer-implemented inventions “CIIs,” extensive aspects of cellular, wireline and optical telecommunications systems, and AI technologies. He has significant lead experience in IP litigation to Supreme Court level, including controlling responsibility as the directing mind for the enforcement of leading-edge cases in cross-border evidence seizures, trade secret theft, and database rights in national and multi-jurisdictional venues.

With consistently being in the vanguard of legal argument, decisions from Bruce’s cases before the EPO’s Board of Appeal have been included in editions of its published case law. His foresight and considered guidance have resulted in the setting of legal standards in the field of computing and AI, with this including directing responsibility for the decision in Emotional Perception AI’s Application [2026] UKSC 3. This “landmark” decision reorientates tenets of UK patent law, as reported in The Times (19Feb26) and by national and international legal journals. It triggered immediate suspension of major sections of the Manual of Patent Practice, with substantive MOPP revisions and the retraining of 400+ examiners now underway [UKIPO statement]. A corresponding update to Terrell on the Law of Patents is in progress.

This decision overturned 20 years of Court of Appeal jurisprudence under the Aerotel approach of Sir Robin Jacob and Rt. Hon. Lord Justice Neuberger (as he then was). It adopted an “any hardware” requirement, harmonising section 1 UK Patent Acts, as such” exclusions to patentability with settled jurisprudence [G1/19] of the European Patent Office. It clarifies requirements for “invention,” introducing an “intermediate step” to impose objective thinking about technical interactions. Building on his proposed 2A rider to the Pozzoli test –  previously affirmed by the UKSC in Actavis v ICOS – the judgment provided guidance on fundamental inventive step assessment under section 3 UKPA. This orients UK analysis substantially towards alignment with EPO jurisprudence, including T154/04-Duns Licensing, whilst retaining common law reasoning. It further defined what constitutes an artificial neural network and a computer for patent purposes. The decision’s implications extend to other technologies, including FinTech, chemistry and others, and is highly relevant to the UK’s £280bn+ digital economy.

Aspects of Bruce’s work are looking to break down what is truly meant by the term “as such” having regard to the Travaux Préparatoires EPC 1973.

As an IP strategist and counsellor, Bruce’s approach is to establish an effective partnership with his clients. This proven approach has aligned IP rights with his clients’ evolving commercial needs thereby maximising or reinforcing market dominance, securing seed and/or longer-term investment and optimising their return on investment.

For multiple terms, Bruce served as an elected member of council of the epi, including roles on the Standard Advisory Committee before EPO, the EPPC and the Disciplinary Committee. Bruce is multi-nationally qualified as “conseil,” and has previously advised government on topics of IPR support, including IPR corporation tax rates.

At the University of Luxembourg, Bruce was an associate professor, course designer and ‘chargé de cours’ for post-graduate MSc studies dealing with the protection of software with IPR. He also lectured to undergraduate students in the engineering and computer science faculties on the fundamentals and importance of IPR in business.

Bruce is also a registered UK trade mark attorney, with significant experience in all aspects of corporate branding and designs, including proceedings before the EUIPO (formerly the OHIM).