Some decisions come as a surprise. This week's ruling in the dispute between Silimed and Polytech was highly unusual: a managing director is facing potential imprisonment for allegedly circumventing a preliminary injunction.

But aside from this, there is one issue in particular preoccupying patent attorneys and lawyers: the use of AI in their day-to-day work. Two recent developments highlight the possibilities. Firstly, the well-known AI patent software provider DeepIP has acquired its German competitor, PatentMaker. This is not the first sign of market consolidation in this sector. Secondly, the renowned patent litigator Christopher Weber is founding his own law firm, announcing his intention to enter the patent litigation business without associates or support staff, but with substantial customised technical support.

Both news highlight the shift in services available to law firms and the different strategies patent litigators are adopting to address it. Don't miss our new paid newsletter, PaceMaker, which will also cover this topic on Wednesday.

Enjoy this week's newsletter,