Zoë

Butler

Partner

“A razor-sharp mind … She is knowledgeable, adaptable, and friendly.”

Chambers and Partners UK

Zoë

Butler

Partner

“A razor-sharp mind … She is knowledgeable, adaptable, and friendly.”

Chambers and Partners UK

Profile

Zoë is a highly regarded patent litigator, combining a strong technical background with over 25 years’ experience handling complex, multijurisdictional disputes. She has acted in many commercially significant and precedent-setting cases relating to a broad range of technological areas and industry sectors.

Recently, Zoë has acted in matters relating to technologies as diverse as telecoms/electronics/software, video-codec, robotics, oil & gas, LEDs, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology (including biosimilars). She also advises on related issues arising from international technology standards, such as patent pools, licensing and FRAND, and counsels on patent litigation strategies before the national and UPC courts, with a wealth of experience in providing freedom to operate and due diligence advice.

In addition to representing clients before the UK courts (including up to the Supreme Court), Zoë has experience of European Patent Office opposition proceedings and has also represented clients in arbitration proceedings and mediations relating to technology contract disputes. Zoë has been involved in many multi-jurisdictional disputes, working with advisors from across Europe, North America, China, Korea, Japan and Australia, and, in many instances, has taken a role in coordinating such litigation.

Zoë has also been appointed by the UK court to supervise the execution of search and seizure orders by other firms.

Zoë frequently lectures on IP law, and is a tutor on the Oxford University Diploma in Intellectual Property Law and Practice. She is also a contributor to the CIPA Guide to the Patents Act.  Zoë has also lectured on the Bristol University Law School Distinguished Alumni Lecture Series. She is also currently on the committee of the UK Intellectual Property Lawyers Association (IPLA).

Zoë has been a partner at Powell Gilbert since its founding in 2007.

Key Cases

  • AutoStore v Ocado (robotics)
  • Seoul Semiconductors / LG v General Electric (LED lights)
  • Sandoz / Polpharma v Biogen (Tysabri)
  • Oxford University Innovations v Oxford Nanoimaging (entitlement dispute)
  • Vestel v HEVC Advance & Philips (HEVC codec / FRAND licensing / jurisdiction challenge)
  • IPCom v Xiaomi (telecommunications / FRAND licensing)
  • Biogen v Fresenius (adalimumab formulations)
  • Biogen v Gedeon Richter (adalimumab formulations)
  • Biogen v AbbVie (adalimumab)
  • Unwired Planet v Huawei & Others (telecommunications / FRAND licensing)
  • Good Technology v Airwatch (mobile management technology)
  • CompactGTL v Velocys (gas to liquid conversion)
  • Motorola Mobility v BT (digital TV)
  • Microsoft v Motorola Mobility (smartphones)
  • Mölnlycke v BSN Medical (wound dressings)
  • LG v Sony (blu-ray technology / FRAND licensing)
  • Apple v Nokia (smartphones)
  • Philips & Others v Alba (MPEG-2 / FRAND licensing)
  • Dr Reddy’s v Eli Lilly (olanzapine)
  • Ivax v Chugai (nicorandil formulations)
  • Sony Computer Entertainment v Ball (copy protection circumvention devices)
  • Allergan v Pharmacia (latonoprost)
  • Affymetrix v Multilyte (DNA microarrays)
  • Oxford Gene Technology v Affymetrix (DNA microarrays)
  • Pharmacia v Merck (COX 2 inhibitors)
  • Iomega v Nomai (trade mark/passing off – ZIP disc technology)
Qualifications

1996 Solicitor (England & Wales)

2007 Solicitor Advocate (England & Wales)

2020 Solicitor (Ireland)

Education

MA (Natural Sciences and Law), Cambridge University

Diploma in Intellectual Property Law and Practice, Bristol University

Connections & Networks

Member of AIPPI, ChIPs, EPLAW, IPLA and LSLA

IPLA Board Member

Contributor to the CIPA Guide to the Patents Act

Tutor on the Oxford University Postgraduate Diploma in Intellectual Property & Practice

Awards & Recognition

EMEA LMG Life Sciences Awards: Patent Litigation of the Year Biologics & Biosimilars (2023)

WIPR Influential Women in IP (2021)

IAM Patent 1000 – UK Patent Litigation (Silver Tier)

Managing IP’s IP Stars – Patent Star

Juve Patent – Recommended Individual, Patent Litigation UK

World IP Review – Leader

Who’s Who Legal – Patents and Life Sciences

Euromoney LMG Europe Women in Business Law (Best in Patents) Award (2018, 2017)

Euromoney LMG Europe Women in Business Law (Best in technology, media & telecommunications) Award (2016, 2014)

Leaders League, Innovation – Technology & IP – Leading Partners (2019, 2018)

LSIPR Life Sciences Leaders (2018)

Additional Facts
Favourite Book

Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen

Additional Facts
Favourite Place

Standing at the water’s edge at Vero Beach in Florida

Additional Facts
Proudest Moment

Other than all my daughters’ successes large and small, being part of founding PG.