Thomas Kretschmer

Thomas Kretschmer has extensive knowledge in the field of intellectual property and in various areas of the information and communication technology (ICT). His work as a patent attorney is based on many years of experience in the IP departments of large software and computer companies. His particular technical focus is on current technologies in the ICT environment, such as software, cryptography, IoT, and artificial intelligence, as well as nanotechnology and robotics.

As vice chair of AIPPI’s Information Technology & Internet Committee, Mr. Kretschmer is constantly involved with emerging ICT technologies, including computer hardware and software, networking, cryptography, databases and Big Data, digital electronics and devices, blockchain, and AI.

Expertise

Intellectual property law, in particular patents
Patent litigation
Patent strategy and consulting
International portfolio management and support

Career and education

2019 Patent Attorney and Partner at IPrime Rentsch Kaelin AG

2017 King's College London: UK, EU and US Copyright Law, Diploma

2011 Swiss Patent Attorney

2007 Master of Intellectual Property Law and Management (MIPLM), LL.M.

2003 European Patent Attorney

1998 Intellectual Property Law Attorney, Senior Intellectual Property Counsel, and Senior IP Counsel in Industry

1997 Humboldt University, Diploma

Honours

IP STARS – Patent star 2023

Publications and lectures

AIPPI Law Series with Wolter Kluwer - Artificial Intelligence and Patents: An International Perspective on Patenting AI-Related Inventions, co-author on EP and CH chapter, Kluwer Law International 2023, ISBN 978-9403522159
AIPPI WORKING QUESTION Q 284 Doctrine of equivalents Country Report, Switzerland, 2023 sic! 10 | 2023, 559
KMU Magazin - Technologie und Recht, Teil 1/4 Entwicklung und Relevanz des neuen Einheitspatentsystems, 23.03.2023
KMU Magazin - Technologie und Recht, Teil 1/5 Software-Innovationen und deren Schutzfähigkeit, 21.08.2019
AIPPI WORKING QUESTION Q 244 Inventorship of Multinational Inventions Country Report, Switzerland, 2015 sic! 7+8 | 2015, 484
AIPPI WORKING QUESTION Q 209 Selection Inventions - the Inventive Step Requirement, other Patentability Criteria and Scope of Protection Country Report, Switzerland, 2009 sic! 7+8 | 2009, 565
IP Manager - Prof. Wurzer Outsourcing of IP Activities - How IP-Managers Can Benefit 339 - 356 Carl Heymanns Verlag 2009, ISBN 978-3-452-27040-5
G3/08 Referral by EPO President to Patentability of Programmes for Computers Summary report as Member of Special Committee Q132 in AIPPI e-News Nr. 5, December 2008 Exclusion of computer programmes as such - referral of questions to the Enlarged Board of Appeal of EPO
Member of AIPPI, Member of Swiss Working Groups to AIPPI Q194, Q209, Q215, Q217, Q229, Q233, Q240, Q244, Q284

Office/location

Zurich

Languages

German
English

Memberships:

AIPPI (International Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property)
EPI (Institute of Professional Representatives before the European Patent Office)
I3PM (International Institute for Intellectual Property Management)
INTA (International Trademark Association)
VESPA (Association of European and Swiss Patent Attorneys in private practice)

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³ Not admitted to the bar
⁴ European Patent Attorney
⁸ Liechtenstein and Swiss Patent Attorney

Thomas Kretschmer

Dipl.-Ing. Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, LL.M.European Patent Attorney, Swiss Patent Attorney, European Patent Litigator, Partner3, 4, 8

Dipl.-Ing. Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, LL.M.
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