Dr. sc. techn. ETH | Dipl.-Phys. | MAS IP ETH
UPC Representative | European and Swiss Patent Attorney | German Patent Agent
Partner
Thomas Körner studied Physics in Erlangen (DE) and London (Imperial College) and obtained a PhD from the Department of Electrical Engineering at ETH Zurich (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology). He previously conducted research at the Laser Research Laboratory at the Grosshadern Hospital of Munich’s LMU University (where he designed and implemented, between 1994 and 1995, a neural network for detecting early stages of tumors through artificial intelligence), and recently obtained a Master of Advanced Studies (MAS) in Intellectual Property (IP) from ETH Zurich.
He has been working in the area of intellectual property since 2001, and has extensive experience in obtaining and enforcing patents, as well as in defending against unjustified claims. His main areas of activity are applied optics, electromagnetic field theory, automation and energy technology, semiconductor technology, computer implemented inventions, computational physics, image processing and medical technology.
Between 2001 and 2003, he worked as a patent attorney for ABB Switzerland, eventually as an IP supervisor for ABB’s power semiconductor division. Subsequently, he worked as a patent manager for Pelikan Hardcopy, the printer supply branch of a renowned German manufacturer of fine writing devices, where, amongst many other activities, he coordinated, broadened and strengthened the defense in a plurality of ongoing patent infringement proceedings that had been initiated by several major multinational original equipment manufacturers from both the US and Japan – and in which Pelikan Hardcopy ultimately persevered.
From 2007 to 2011, he was responsible for IP affairs at a Swiss subsidiary of Kulicke & Soffa, a global leader in the design and manufacture of semiconductor assembly equipment. In 2009, he established his own patent law firm (formerly everything IP llc) in 2009, with obliging support by Kulicke & Soffa.
Thomas Körner advises and represents clients – ranging from individual inventors over small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to leading international corporations – in all areas related to intellectual property. The focus of his activities is directed to protecting inventions, including computer implemented inventions and software, under Swiss, German, European and international patent law – also with respect to the European Patent with Unitary Effect (Unitary Patent) available since 01 June 2023 and before the Unified Patent Court (UPC), which opened its doors on the same day.
Working languages: German and English
Office: Zurich
Memberships: Institute of Professional Representatives before the European Patent Office (epi) – council member (2017-23); epi Litigation Committee; epi Professional Conduct Committee; Association of Independent European and Swiss Patent Attorneys (VESPA); German Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property (GRUR); Association of Intellectual Property Experts (VPP)
Thomas Körner qualified as a European Patent Attorney in 2006, as a Swiss Patent Attorney in 2011, as a German Patent Agent in 2014, and as a UPC Representative in 2024. As such, he is inter alia qualified to represent clients before the Unified Patent Court (UPC), the European Patent Office (EPO), the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), and German patent authorities and courts. He is also entitled to represent clients before the Swiss Federal Patent Court in accordance with Art. 29 subsection 1 of the (Swiss) Patent Court Act.
He regularly contributes to iusNet Intellectual Property, a newsletter and online platform providing up-to-date information and background related to the most relevant developments in IP legislation and case law.