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Mark Earnshaw

Director, Patents

Belfast

Mark Earnshaw specialises in the fields of industrial and chemical engineering, with a focus on innovations relating to liquefied natural gas (LNG), oil and gas pipelines, and coal-based technologies.

His practice involves managing a significant oppositions and appeals portfolio before the EPO, including the Enlarged Board of Appeal. A leading litigator, Mark holds a High Courts Litigation Certificate in Intellectual Property.

Mark studied Honours Chemistry at Bristol University before joining a research firm dedicated to advanced ceramics — during which time he worked on silicon nitrides, boron carbide and ceramics-to-metal bonding projects.

He then moved to a leading London IP firm to train and qualify as a European and UK patent attorney, where he dealt with a range of chemical and pharmaceutical inventions for multinational clients.

Mark joined Murgitroyd in 1998 and later set up our Belfast office.

The logo of the Financial Times features the bold initials "FT" in black on a beige background, with "Financial Times" written below in dark blue.The logo of the Financial Times features the bold initials "FT" in black on a beige background, with "Financial Times" written below in dark blue.

Sector expertise

  • EPO oppositions
  • EPO appeals
  • Chemistry
  • Chemical mechanics and chemical engineering
  • Oil and gas
  • Pipeline technology
  • Liquefied natural gas
  • Coal technologies
  • Silicones
  • Industrial chemistry
  • Ceramics
  • Silicon nitrides
  • Boron carbide
  • Water treatment

Key contributor to the team recognised as Highly Recommended by WIPR

WIPR UK Patent Rankings 2025

I correctly claim that I “found” Murgitroyd when we embarked on the patent journey and that has proven to be the right decision.

Technical Director, Fuel gas solutions Company

We have undoubtedly benefited from the personal relationships in addition to the understanding and appreciation of what we were trying to achieve.

Technical Director, Fuel gas solutions Company

Thank you for identifying the issue and the detailed analysis below. Let’s go with your suggestion.

Counsel US Innovative Company

The personal touch and the effort to understand our often vague specifications of what we are looking to make a patent application for. Also responding quickly to situations where we are forced by business needs to get a priority filing date to allow discussions with potential clients.

Technical Director, Engineering Firm

That's great news all, especially in current circumstances. Thanks everyone, especially Mark for overseeing this opposition from the start.

European Patent Attorney, US corporation

Key contributor to our Chemistry & Materials Team awarded Gold by the Financial Times

Financial Times European Leading Patent Law Firms, combined - 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023, 2024 & 2025

Many thanks for the information. That's great news. This will allow us to move forward with our current plans. Will keep you up to speed on the progress as we look towards areas of technology that we intend to patent.

Director of Technology & Innovation, Northern Ireland, Research and Development Company

You hero. Well done. I know I only looked at it fleetingly but I wasn’t overly hopeful I must admit. How did you manage it?

In-house European Patent Attorney, Materials Science Company

Thanks again and congratulations for your brilliant [Opposition] victory yesterday !

Intellectual Property Manager, Global leader in energy projects Company

I would like to warmly thank you for your hard work and brilliant victory. Congratulations. I got a very good feedback from our executive management, they seem now ready to push to get a business advantage.

Intellectual Property Director, Global Oil and Gas Company

Your kind assistance do help us effectively expand our patent portfolio in these years, which is valuable to our products

Taiwan based Electronics Manufacturer

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