Patent and trade mark attorney firm Avidity IP has hired Scott Roberts from IBM.
Roberts, a senior patent attorney experienced in oppositions as well as copyright and due diligence, will lead the firm's electronics, telecoms and computer science (ETC) team from June 6.
At IBM he was the company's point of contact for guidance on European patentability issues, including computer software and business method inventions. He also provided direct counsel to David Kappos while the latter was IBM's assistant general counsel for IP and before he joined the USPTO.
Roberts will become the fifth member of Avidity's ETC team and will be based at the firm's Thames Valley office in Reading.
Previously known as HLBB Shaw, the firm incorporated in 2006, moving away from the traditional partnership structure. It has been known as Avidity IP since a rebranding in 2011.