2025 Munich IP Forum
The 2025 Munich IP Forum, held on 22–23 September, brought together 265 global IP and legal leaders for a sold-out two-day event. Highlights included thought-provoking panels, a keynote address, and a distinguished line-up of speakers and moderators.
See the full agenda below.
2025 Agenda
22 Sept. 2025
18:00 – Welcome Drinks Reception & Canapés — Rosewood Hotel Munich
19:00 – A Mixed Bag and a Crystal Ball: The First Two Years at the UPC, and the Way Forward
Moderators: Dr. Andreas von Falck & Dr. Anna-Katharina Friese-Okoro — Hogan Lovells
Judge Prof. Dr. Peter Tochtermann — Local Division Mannheim
Judge Margot Kokke — Local Division The Hague
Judge Ronny Thomas — Local Division Düsseldorf
20:00 – Drinks Continue
23 Sept. 2025
09:00 – Breakfast Reception & Opening Remarks — Rosewood Hotel Munich
09:45 – Panel 1: From First Instance to Appeal – Industry Perspectives on the UPC
Moderator: Heike Röder-Hitschke, Counsel at Maiwald and lead of their UPC Team
Dr. Thomas Buchholz, Senior Expert Digital IP, SEP Licensing & Regulatory Affairs at BSH Home Appliances Group
Wolfram Thomas, Patent Counsel - Senior Director at Qualcomm
Mathilde Rauline, Head of Greater Europe Patent Litigation at Sanofi
10:45 – Networking Break
11:15 – Panel 2: The UPC: A Truly International Jurisdiction
Moderator: Alex Wilson — Partner, Powell Gilbert
Judge Kai Härmand — Regional Division Stockholm
Siddharth Kusumakar — Partner, Powell Gilbert
Alexander Haertel — Head of Patents, Deutsche Telekom
Lucy Wojcik — Chief IP Counsel, Ocado Group
12:15 – Networking Lunch — Sponsored by Carpmaels & Ransford
13:30 – Keynote: Interim Licenses – A New Tool to Facilitate SEP Licensing?
The Honourable Mr Justice Mellor — High Court Judge, Chancery Division
13:50 – Panel 3: Global SEP Disputes: Putting Together the Pieces of the Puzzle
Moderator: Benno Buehler — Vice President, Charles River Associates
Judge Lars Meinhardt — Presiding Judge, Higher Regional Court of Munich
The Honourable Mr Justice Mellor — High Court Judge, Chancery Division
András Jókúti — Director, Patent and Technology Law Division, WIPO
Julia Mattis — Chief Licensing Officer, InterDigital
Scott Hayden — Vice President of Intellectual Property, Amazon
Fei Deng — Vice President, Charles River Associates
15:30 – Closing
Are you interested in speaking at our 2026 event?
If so, submit your interest below.
“What an outstanding event, well done to the whole team. The panels including eminent judges, heads of IP and leading outside counsel gave a really meaningful insight with very frank and open exchanges.”
“Very insightful discussions from a range of perspectives- judicial, in house and private practice. The conclusion I drew is that we still have a healthy ability to disagree agreeably, made easier when we reached the Wiesen.”
“It was a truly enriching experience — both insightful and engaging. The organization was excellent, and the venue was equally impressive.”
“Thank you so much for the perfect organization and preparation and conduct of the Munich IP Forum, I very much enjoyed this event and of course the networking!”
Please find a selection of photographs below from our 2025 Munich IP Forum.
