Hannes Spillmann

Professional activity

Hannes Spillmann has technology in his blood and the scientific method on his mind. His work in research and industry has made him well versed in various technologies, giving him a broad context in which to place the inventions he encounters as a patent attorney. He has extensive experience in opposition and court proceedings. As a part-time judge at the Swiss Federal Patent Court, he is regularly involved in leading cases and always at the bleeding edge of case law. Thus, in his day-to-day consultations, he can introduce not only the attorney’s viewpoint but also the judge’s.

Areas of expertise

  • Construction chemicals
  • Adhesives
  • Polymer chemistry
  • Pharmaceuticals
  • Medical technology
  • Coating technology
  • Surface chemistry/physics
  • Nanotechnology
  • Laser technology
  • Additive manufacturing
  • Mechanics

Sustainable hill climber

Hannes Spillmann is usually seen sustainably riding on two wheels: be it his daily commute on the city bike or his free time on his road or mountain bike, accumulating meters of altitude around Zurich. Challenging climbs are the most exciting to him: finding the right tempo, getting into the flow, switching off any conscious thought – and then exploring the next tricky patent situation at the office with a refreshed mind.

Career

2019Innosuisse Special Coach (IP and Licensing)
2015Part-time judge at the Swiss Federal Patent Court
2014Partner at Keller & Partner Patentanwälte AG
2012Diploma, "Patent Litigation in Europe", University of Strasburg
2010Patent attorney with a globally active Swiss industrial firm focused on specialty chemicals
2010Admission as representative before the European Patent Office (European Patent Attorney)
2007Private lecturer on Nanosciences/experimental physics, University of Basel
2006Patent engineer with Keller & Partner Patentanwälte AG
2003Research associate and team leader, University of Basel
2002Postdoc, Max Planck Institute for Solid State Research, Stuttgart
2002PhD dissertation in chemistry, University of Zurich
1999Degree in chemistry (major) and computer science (minor), University of Zurich

Memberships