Academic training :

Dipl. Chem. (Univ. Göttingen), Ph.D Physical Chemistry (Univ. Paris XI), Ph.D Physical Sciences (Univ. Paris XI),
Masters in business law and civil law, Master in economy (Univ. Grenoble), CEIPI Diploma in IP law (patents, trademarks, designs),
EPI-CEIPI Diploma “Patent Litigation in Europe”.

Fields of expertise :

Chemistry, physics, material science, metallurgy, industrial processes, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, mechanical engineering. IP Litigation. Commercial law.

Specific skills :

Intellectual property law (patents, trademarks, designs, copyright, contracts).
Preparation and defense of patents, study of freedom to operate, rights of third parties, oppositions, appeals.
Strategic analysis and legal support of R & D.
Coordination of Litigation (including international aspects), alternative dispute resolution (negotiation, mediation, arbitration).

Previous work experience :

Dr Schmidt joined IXAS CONSEIL as a managing partner in 2005, after having spent more than 20 years in industry (Total, Pechiney, Alcan), in management positions (quality assurance, R&D, IP) and as an in-house IP counsel in Alcan’s European IP department.

He has authored or co-authored more than 20 technical publications and several legal publications (French, European and US patent and trademark law). He has significant experience in opposition and appeal proceedings before the European Patent Office, where he is pleading in English, German, and French.
He is listed on the WIPO List of Neutrals for mediation and arbitration, and by the French - German Chamber of Commerce and Industry as an arbitrator.
Since 2006 he is an EPI tutor for candidates preparing the EPO’s qualification examination.
Since 2007 he is lecturing IP law at the Faculty of Law of Lyon University, and since 2010 also at Ecole Centrale de Lyon.
From 2012 to 2015 he was a member of the Editorial Board of "The Trademark Reporter" edited by INTA.

Languages :

fluent in French, German and English.