Robert Schnekenbühl, M.Sc.
Attorney-at-Law (DE) | Patent Attorney (DE, CH) | European Patent Attorney | Certified IP Lawyer | European Patent Litigator (UPC) | Arbitrator (DIS, PMAC) | European Trademark and Design Attorney | M.Sc. (Physics) | Partner
„Everything is going to be fine in the end. If it’s not fine, it’s not the end.”
Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) attributed
Key aspects
Robert Schnekenbuhl is a seasoned intellectual property expert and co-founder of DTS. He focuses primarily on high-stakes, two-party legal proceedings in the field of patent law. Just three years after founding the firm, at the age of 33, he was already representing Fortune 500 clients in complex patent infringement litigation. Since then, he has led numerous high-profile cases that have attracted media attention.
In addition to managing large patent portfolios, Robert regularly conducts opposition proceedings before the European Patent Office (EPO) and the German Patent and Trademark Office (GPTO), as well as nullity actions before the Federal Patent Court (FPC). He is also frequently appointed in out-of-court negotiations, as a member of the negotiation team, as a mediator or as arbitrator or as a special master in Germany in connection with U.S. patent litigation.
With deep experience in employee invention law and patent portfolio management, Robert and his team are often brought in to IP due diligence investigations, particularly for major transactions.
Legal focus
Robert’s legal focus is on:
- Patent and trademark litigation
- Invalidity proceedings: Nullity before the Federal Patent Court (FPC); Opposition and appeal before the European Patent Office (EPO)
- Prosecution of patents and trademarks before:
- German Patent and Trademark Office (GPTO)
- European Patent Office (EPO)
- Unified Patent Court (UPC)
- EUIPO (formerly OHIM)
- Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (IGE)
Technical focus
Robert and his team have established deep technical expertise in the following areas:
- Technology and industrial sectors with a focus on digitalization, automation, and inspection/testing technologies
- Innovative and future-oriented technologies in industry, healthcare/medicine, and life sciences
- Industrial imaging and quality assurance
- Lasers and optics
About Robert
Robert has worked exclusively in intellectual property since 1994. He holds a Master of Science in Physics from the University of St. Andrews (Scotland). He is:
- Registered German Patent Attorney (DE)
- Registered Swiss Patent Attorney (CH)
- Authorized representative before the European Patent Office (EPO)
- Licensed Attorney-at-Law (DE)
- European Patent Litigator before the Unified Patent Court (UPC)
- Certified IP Lawyer (DE)
- Arbitrator (DIS, PMAC)
Teaching & Publications
Robert is actively involved in legal education and training:
- CEIPI Tutor at the Université Robert Schuman in Strasbourg, teaching “Opposition Proceedings before the EPO” in Munich
- Tutor and examiner for the LL.M. program for Patent Attorneys at the University of Hagen
- Member of the German and European Patent Bar education programs
He is a co-author of:
- A patent law handbook, contributing the chapter on patent strategy and monetization
- A leading commentary on German and EPO patent law (until 2022)
Speaking Engagements
Robert is a frequent speaker at national and international conferences on:
- Patent litigation and arbitration proceedings
- EPO opposition proceedings
- German legal practice, particularly nullity and infringement litigation
Contact information
Mail: s@dts.law
Tel: +49 (0) 89 219996–0