Timothy is a registered Australian Patent Attorney, a registered New Zealand Patent Attorney and a registered Australian Trade Mark Attorney. He received his PhD in biomedical engineering from the University of New South Wales and holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mechanical and orthopaedic engineering from the University of Sydney, as well as a master’s degree in IP law from the University of Technology, Sydney.
Timothy acts for clients including well-known international corporations, the Hong Kong Hospital Authority, Hong Kong universities and research institutes and manufacturing and design companies with operations spanning China and Hong Kong. His practice covers mechanical and manufacturing technologies, electronics and telecommunications technologies, nanotechnology, chemical engineering and pharmaceuticals. In addition to his patent drafting, prosecution and advisory practice, Timothy counsels clients in relation to:
- commercial transactions involving the assignment and licensing of patent rights and underlying technologies;
- commercial cross-border patent filing and prosecution strategies for international corporations with manufacturing operations in China and Hong Kong;
- pharmaceutical freedom-to-operate patent clearance in Hong Kong;
- advice regarding tendering and government procurement in compliance with World Trade Organisation requirements relating to intellectual property;
- trade fair IP rights administrative actions in Hong Kong, with particular expertise in strategic enforcement of standard-essential patent rights;
- freedom-to-operate issues in Hong Kong, China and Southeast Asia; and
- cancellation actions against bad-faith trademark registrations in China and Hong Kong.
He is a member of the Federation International de Conseils en Propriete Industrielle (FICPI), a Fellow of the Institute of Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys of Australia (IPTA), and a member of the International Trademark Association. He is also a longstanding member of the Patents Standing Committee of the Asian Patent Attorneys Association Hong Kong Group (APAA), and in this capacity regularly discusses issues pertaining to international patent law, practice and policy with the Hong Kong government.
Timothy is recognised as a leading patent practitioner in Hong Kong, and has been recognised by Intellectual Asset Management (IAM) “The World’s Leading Patent Practitioners” as “commended for his sublime blend of technical and commercial savvy” and “commended for his business savvy approach, technical excellence and efficient, pragmatic advice”. In the 2014 edition, Dr Letters was recognised as “a real patent expert” who is “particularly well versed in mechanical and physical sciences and pharmaceutical matters“.
Other accolades include being ranked and named as a leading patent practitioner in Hong Kong, 2013, Asia IP Experts, “Your Guide to Asia’s Leading IP Advisors”.
Professional Qualifications
Registered Australian Patent Attorney
Registered New Zealand Patent Attorney
Registered Australian Trade Mark Attorney
Academic Qualifications
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Biomedical Engineering, University of New South Wales
Master of Engineering (Research), University of Sydney
Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical), University of Sydney
Master of Industrial Property (IP Law), University of Technology, Sydney
Professional Memberships
Fellow of the Institute of Patent & Trade Mark Attorneys of Australia (FIPTA)
Member of the Federation International de Conseils en Propriete Industrielle (FICPI)
Chairman of Patents Review Committee and Panel Member of Patents Standing Committee of the Asian Patent Attorneys Association Hong Kong Group (APAA)
Member of International Trademark Association (INTA)
Affiliate Member of Hong Kong Institute of Trade Mark Practitioners (HKITMP)
Professional Experience
2000 – 2004 – FB Rice & Co., Sydney, Australia
2004 – 2006 – Freehills Patent & Trade Mark Attorneys, Sydney, Australia
2006 – 2013 – Intellectual Property Department, Deacons, Hong Kong
Speaking Engagements
“Procurement, Tender Structure/Submission, Patent Pools, Licensing, Anticompetitive Aspects of Patent Law” Hong Kong Science and Technology Park Seminar (October 2012)
“Patent Risk Management in Product Sourcing” Deacons Client Seminar (April 2011)
“Patentable and Non-Patentable Subject Matter – Obligations under W.T.O and T.R.I.P.S” Deacons Seminar (October 2009)
“Considerations when Establishing Commercially Applicable Intellectual Property (IP) Practices” Hong Kong Science and Technology Park Seminar (October 2012)
