Ronak Kalhor-Witzel

Partner

Dipl.-Phys., German and European Patent Attorney, UPC Representative 言語 DE | EN | FR 電気工学・デジタル技術チーム Encrypted E-mail to Ronak Kalhor-Witzel

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お問い合わせ

T +49 89 92 40 90
E rkalhor-witzel@hoffmanneitle.com

Arabellastraße 30
81925 München

A strategic IP advisor for complex technologies and transactions

Ronak Kalhor-Witzel is a Partner in HOFFMANN EITLE’s Electrical Engineering and Digital Technologies practice group. A physicist by training, she combines deep technical expertise with strategic and commercially focused IP advice, drawing on extensive experience gained both in private practice and in industry.
Her practice encompasses the drafting and worldwide prosecution of patent applications, complex opposition and nullity proceedings, and patent litigation before national courts and the Unified Patent Court (UPC).

A particular focus of Ronak’s practice is strategic freedom-to-operate (FTO) and patent risk analysis in complex technology projects, M&A transactions and private equity investments. She helps clients identify, assess and manage patent-related risks in the context of broader commercial and investment decisions. She also advises technology companies on emerging issues at the intersection of intellectual property and artificial intelligence, including AI governance and the evolving regulatory landscape.

Her previous in-house experience at Infineon Technologies AG gives her a first-hand understanding of the commercial and operational considerations that drive IP decisions within technology companies. This perspective informs her pragmatic approach to IP strategy, portfolio management and risk assessment.
Prior to joining HOFFMANN EITLE, Ronak established and led an EMEA patent prosecution practice, developing scalable structures for global portfolio management and cross-border IP strategy.

Ronak has longstanding experience advising clients on transatlantic IP matters and has developed an extensive network of clients, co-counsel and industry contacts across the United States and Canada. She draws on this network to help international clients navigate the European IP landscape and to coordinate global filing strategies, cross-border FTO and IP due diligence, as well as parallel UPC and US litigation strategies. She actively contributes to HOFFMANN EITLE’s North America Hub.

Her clients include semiconductor manufacturers, MedTech OEMs, deep-tech start-ups and private equity investors seeking to build, protect and leverage IP in complex technology environments and transactions. With her background in physics and extensive experience in semiconductors and complex technologies, Ronak also has a particular interest in patent strategy at the intersection of connectivity, technical standards and standard-essential patents (SEPs).

When away from the office, Ronak enjoys spending time with her family and, whenever time allows, being out on the water sailing, diving or ice bathing.

専門分野
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Technical Focus Areas

Semiconductor Technology: Chip design, power electronics, and semiconductor manufacturing processes, with particular expertise in MEMS systems for automotive and power‑electronics applications.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) & Software: Autonomous systems, machine learning, and digital platforms in the life sciences and digital health sectors, including IP aspects of AI training data, model development, and copyright issues.

Emerging & Quantum Technologies: Quantum computing and quantum technologies, with a focus on semiconductor‑based quantum devices and their use in automotive and industrial applications.

Medical Technology: Medical imaging technologies, smart medical devices, and digital health solutions, from concept through regulatory and IP strategy.

Expertise & Areas of Practice

Patent Prosecution & Portfolio Management: Strategic development, management, and enforcement of global patent portfolios before the EPO and DPMA; multi‑jurisdictional filing strategies (EP/DE/PCT), competitive intelligence, and IP roadmaps aligned with business and R&D priorities.

Litigation & Dispute Resolution: Representation in opposition and appeal proceedings before the EPO and DPMA, as well as patent litigation before German courts and the Unified Patent Court (UPC); preparation of validity, non‑infringement, and FTO opinions to support litigation, licensing, and transaction decisions.

IP Transaction Advisory & FTO: Conducting agile FTO risk analyses and IP due diligence in connection with mergers and acquisitions (M&A), venture capital investments, and private equity transactions; support on licensing strategies and market entry in Europe and beyond.

In‑House Strategy & AI Governance: Advising on employee inventor compensation under German law, IP governance, the commercial exploitation of intellectual property rights, and the IP implications of AI technologies, including AI training and copyright issues.

学歴
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  • Dipl.-Phys. (Heidelberg University, Germany and University of Adelaide, Australia)
資格
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  • German Patent Attorney 
  • European Patent Attorney 
  • Representative before the Unified Patent Court 
会員
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  • FICPI (Communications Committee)
  • epi
  • VPP
  • German Patent Attorney Bar Association
  • German Physical Society (DPG)
著作・論文
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  • „Between control and interoperability“ – BGH Sony v. Datel (GermanLawInternational, 2025) 
  • „Testing the boundaries: AI training models and copyright laws“ (2024) 
  • „Germany: AI cannot be named as inventor – DABUS decision“ (Inside Tech Law, 2024) 
  • „European Unitary Patent and Unified Patent Court: first experiences and insights“ (2023) 
  • Regular speaker at the European Patent Drafting Camp (FORUM), VPP seminars, and UPC panels with IPIC (Montreal)
受賞歴
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  • Notable Practitioner, IP STARS (Managing IP)
  • Recognized in Women’s IP World for impactful litigation and case law
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