Partner, Ing., Italian and European Patent Attorney, Professional Representative in Community Design matters before the EUIPO. CEIPI Diploma on Patent Litigation in Europe. Steffen graduated in Civil Engineering from Dresden University of Technology, obtained a postgraduate degree (ICID) in Structural Steel Design from Imperial College London, and completed his Ph.D. in Computational Mechanics from Dresden University of Technology. In 2013 Steffen obtained a Diploma in Patent Litigation in Europe from CEIPI, Strasburg University.
Steffen Falk Leihkauf
- Languages:native German speaker, fluent in English and Italian
- Office:Milan
- Area of competence:Patents
Work experience
Before joining Jacobacci & Partners in 2001, Steffen worked as a Research Fellow with a focus on nonlinear analysis of structures in steel and composite materials, and gained industry experience both in Germany and Italy in the design and analysis of steel bridges and integrated material handling and storage systems.
As a patent attorney Steffen has represented and advised clients ranging from research institutions and highly specialized local companies to multi-national corporations.
Professional focus
Steffen has an extensive practice drafting and prosecuting European and Italian patent applications relating to engineering subject-matter and significant experience handling oppositions and appeal proceedings before the European Patent Office, including multiparty proceedings and hearings, both in English and German. He also has been involved in patent litigation in Italy, Germany and France and he has gained experience as appointed IP expert in International Arbitration Proceedings of the International Chamber of Commerce ICC.
Although based in Milan, Steffen is frequently in Munich and in The Hague for hearings and meetings with clients.
Areas of expertise
Steffen’s professional activities primarily involve engineering subject matter with a particular focus in the areas of household appliances, medical devices, automotive brake systems, railway equipment, sports equipment, textile machines, domestic and industrial electrical equipment, valve systems for pressure piping, heating and ventilation equipment, construction materials, packaging and material handling systems and high pressure gas cylinders.
Since 2006 Steffen has lectured courses on Intellectual Property at the Polytechnic of Milan.
Awards
- 2024 - Featured by IAM Patent 1000 as one of the world’s top 1000 patent professionals: "Steffen's time spent in designing and analysing steel bridges and integrated material-handling and storage systems in Germany and Italy informs his advice and allows him to prepare applications with ease”.
- 2023 - Featured by IAM Patent 1000 as one of the world’s top 1000 patent professionals: “Steffen is regularly called upon for his extensive academic and professional knowledge in the field”.
