Espen Hov

Primary expertise

Espen Hov handles cases primarily within materials technology, including metallurgy, petroleum-related technology, mechanics, aquaculture, underwater technology, mechatronics, physics, and inorganic chemistry. He assists companies with analysis and advisory services, including novelty searches, preparation, prosecution, and follow-up of patent applications. Additionally, he aids in the enforcement of rights, including assessments, strategic advice, and assistance in conflict situations.

Espen has extensive experience in general and strategic patent counselling, preparation of patent applications, and prosecution directly with NIPO and EPO, as well as internationally via our partners. His expertise also includes database searches, due diligence, freedom-to-operate, oppositions, invalidity cases, infringement assessments, and legal advice related to patents.

Espen has served as an expert witness in court, working closely with the attorneys handling the cases, and has served as a lay judge. He has experience representing clients in oral hearings at the EPO and the Board of Appeal for Industrial Property Rights, both in prosecution and opposition proceedings.

Background

Espen holds an M.Sc in Physical Metallurgy from the Norwegian Institute of Technology (NTH). He began his career as an engineer at Sørco Engineering AS, then as a metallurgist at Oceaneering AS, before moving on to technical development at Robit AS.

From 1996 to 2009, he worked as a European Patent Attorney at Tandbergs Patentkontor AS, where he prepared a significant portion of Statoil’s patent applications. He then joined and eventually became Senior Partner at Protector IPC AS, where he worked from 2009 to 2023. After Protector’s merger with Bryn Aarflot, Espen now continues as a Senior Partner and European Patent Attorney.

Espen also has experience as an inventor, including work on «Refining tube for the refining of metals,» a patented invention aimed at more efficient refining of melts, particularly silicon melts.

Memberships

FONIP, NIR, FICPI, EPI