On 1 October 2026, the inaugural edition of the Applied IP Masterclass concluded in Neuchâtel with a final presentation session and diploma ceremony. Co-organised by P&TS and the Swiss Foundation for Research in Microtechnology (FSRM), a recognised reference in continuing education in Switzerland, this practical intellectual property training is a first in the country: five half-days dedicated to giving professionals who manage intellectual property in their organisation the concrete tools to turn it into a strategic asset. Participants were awarded their diplomas upon completion of this masterclass.
The programme, learning objectives and format of the training are presented in detail in our launch article.
Diverse profiles for a groundbreaking practical intellectual property training
This inaugural edition of the Applied IP Masterclass brought together professionals from very different backgrounds: an IP manager at a technology research organisation, R&D engineers, the director of a sectoral professional association, an academic researcher at a university of applied sciences, and a product development project manager, from sectors as varied as microtechnology, watchmaking, medtech and applied research.
This diversity is not incidental. It confirms that intellectual property is not solely the domain of specialised lawyers; it concerns anyone who, within their organisation, makes decisions that could affect the protection or valorisation of intangible assets. This type of training, structured as a small group, is precisely designed for this purpose: to enable direct exchanges between participants from different contexts, foster teaching grounded in each participant’s real-life situations, and guarantee a level of interaction with the speakers that makes all the difference.
“Neither too general nor too specific: the P&TS and FSRM teams have found the right balance for anyone starting out in intellectual property or looking to consolidate their knowledge.” An R&D engineer
A programme led by recognised experts in their field
The pedagogical coherence of the Applied IP Masterclass was ensured by Maria Maina, Swiss, Italian and European patent attorney at P&TS, who coordinated the training and led a substantial part of it. Across each of the four themes covered (IP strategy and patents, other IP rights and research, portfolio management, contracts and taxation), speakers contributed expertise drawn directly from their practice.
Christophe Saam, CEO and founder of P&TS, qualified representative before the European Patent Office and technical judge at the Swiss Federal Patent Court, spoke on IP strategy and patents, as well as at the final session. Trade mark law was covered by Héloïse Rure, trade mark attorney at P&TS. Prof. Dr. Daniel Kraus, full professor at the University of Neuchâtel, holder of the chair in intellectual property and innovation law, and Legal Counsel at P&TS, addressed copyright under Swiss law. The mechanisms and issues involved in intellectual property litigation were addressed by Olivier Rampa, Swiss and European patent attorney at P&TS.
Research and monitoring mobilised three specialists from complementary angles. Emmanuelle Bourbon, patent information analyst and head of the patent search and monitoring team at P&TS, presented research methodologies and tools, as well as the different types of analyses: patentability, validity and freedom to operate (FTO). Fabien Palazzoli, Head of Technology at Centredoc, addressed patent landscapes. Aldous Zaugg, CEO of enovating, spoke on strategic IP monitoring.
Contractual aspects of IP were covered by Carole Aubert, lawyer and head of the legal division of the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry (FH), addressing transfers, licences, development agreements, confidentiality and open source licences. Innovation taxation was addressed by Thierry Obrist, lawyer and professor at the University of Neuchâtel, specialist in Swiss and international tax law.
Final session and diploma ceremony
The Applied IP Masterclass concluded with a session in which each participant presented a personal project rooted in the realities of their organisation, before the speakers and fellow participants. Diplomas were presented by Christophe Saam and Sébastien Gautsch, Director of the FSRM.
What participants took away
Feedback gathered at the end of the training reflects concrete added value, regardless of profile or sector:
“Very informative training. I particularly appreciated the module on IP taxation, which helped me understand the Swiss tax mechanisms that support investment in intellectual property and R&D.” An IP manager at a technology research organisation
“The Applied IP Masterclass helped me gain confidence in identifying inventions, choosing protection strategies and reading patents.” An R&D engineer
“Speakers who have a thorough command of their subject, case studies grounded in real-world practice and flawless organisation. Valuable, directly actionable insights for approaching technology partnerships and valorisation.” An academic researcher at a university of applied sciences
“Perfectly organised course with exceptionally high-quality speakers!” The director of a sectoral professional association
“[This training] is delivered by people with solid hands-on experience and enables participants to develop their own tools, working methods and the right reflexes for each area. A product development project manager
Join the next session of the Applied IP Masterclass
This inaugural edition confirmed the relevance of such training for the Swiss market. If you would like to be informed of the dates for the next session, contact us: we will get back to you as soon as they are available.
