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Rachel Free
Partner

Dr. Rachel Free

Patent Attorney | UPC Representative

Languages
  • English
Social media

Rachel is a UK and European patent attorney with an MSc in Artificial Intelligence and a DPhil in vision science. Rachel is a Representative before the Unified Patent Court (UPC).  She helps clients protect their technology through patents in a wide variety of fields, including AI, software, construction, infrastructure and telecommunications. She also provides training and advice regarding AI ethics and AI regulation.

Rachel has patent experience in a range of technical fields including neural networks, data centre storage, multi-core systems, cryptography, programming languages, information retrieval, machine learning, quantum computing, internet of things, time of flight cameras, natural user interface technology, image processing, infra-red sensors, wireless communications, voice over internet protocol, video codecs, cloud computing technology, mobile phone antennas, software and telecommunications.

Rachel is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys (CIPA) and a member of its Computer Technology Committee. She has lectured for CIPA and acted as an Examiner for CIPA. She is listed as a Highly Recommended Individual – IAM Patent 1000, United Kingdom: England and Wales 2024.

Awards & Recognitions
01
  • Quote
    “Rachel Free is an expert when it comes to complex AI and software patents and questions of eligibility. Her nuanced insight and knowledge of the law makes her very popular among highly innovative companies.”
    IAM Patent 1000, United Kingdom: England and Wales 2024
  • Quote
    "Rachel Free is very approachable, understands the law and is able to appreciate highly technical matters. Excellent advice and analytical skills."
    Legal 500, 2021

Memberships & Roles

  • Vice chair of the CIPA Computer Technology Committee.
  • Task Force - Data Governance, All Party Parliamentary Group on AI (APPG AI).
  • Independent advisory board member of the University of Bath Centre for Doctoral Training on Accountable, Responsible, Transparent AI.
  • International Chamber of Commerce working group on Artificial Intelligence and Intellectual Property.

Education

  • 1999 –  UK registered Patent Attorney, UK Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys, London
  • 1999 – European Patent Attorney, European Patent Office, Munich
  • 1996 – Certificate in Intellectual Property Law, Queen Mary University, London
  • 1996 – Dphil, Vergence eye movements and stereopsis, Oxford University, Oxford
  • 1992 – MSc, Artificial Intelligence, Edinburgh University, Edinburgh
  • 1991 – MA Experimental Psychology, Oxford University, Oxford

Insights by Rachel

CMS at INTA 2026

02 May 2026

Brevity versus giving away the crown jewels: getting the balance right for protecting machine learning technology with patents

25 Feb 2026 5 min read

CMS Perceiving the world of patents with Emotional Perception

24 Feb 2026

Emotional perception reaches the top: Supreme Court delivers landmark ruling on AI patentability

13 Feb 2026 13 min read
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