Valfor Attorneys-at-law

Intellectual Property, Information Technology, Media and Data Protection, Litigation and Arbitration, Competition

Christoph Gasser (Dr. iur. (Bern); LLM (Michigan)) is a partner and the head of the firm's IP/TMT department. His long-standing practice includes advice and litigation in all areas of intellectual property and information technology law as well as trademark and design prosecution. Christoph Gasser is the executive secretary of the Swiss IP association INGRES (Institut für gewerblichen Rechtsschutz). He also serves as an adjunct judge at the Swiss Federal Patent Court, a court expert, and an expert examiner for the Swiss Patent Bar examination. Moreover, he is a frequent conference speaker and has written substantial publications on intellectual property law.

• Since 2024: Partner at valfor
• 2017-2024: Partner at BianchiSchwald
• Since 2011 : Adjunct judge at the Swiss Federal Patent Court
• Since 2011 : Expert examiner at the Swiss Patent Bar examination
• Since 2011 : Lecturer at the Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property for classes preparing the Swiss Patent Bar examination, Bern
• 2010-2011 : INTA Bulletin Co-Chait (Sub-Committee Law & Practice: Europe & Central)
• Since 2007 : Executive secretary of INGRES (Institut für gewerblichen Rechtsschutz; Swiss IP Association)
• Since 2007 : Co-organizer of "INTA Round Tables" for Switzerland
• 2004-2016 : Partner at Staiger, Schwald & Partner
• 2000-2010 : Lecturer at the program "Master of Advanced Studies in Intellectual Property" of the ETH Zurich
• 1999-2003 : Lecturer at the LL.M. program of the University of Zurich
• 1999-2004 : Associate at Lenz & Staehelin, Zurich
• 1998 : Associate at Pennie & Edmonds LLP, New York
• 1997-1998 : University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, LL.M.
• 1997 : Doctor iuris summa cum laude, University of Bern
• 1996 : Legal counsel at Swatch Group, Bienne
• 1994-1996 : Research assistant at the Institute for Business Law, University of Bern

• INTA (International Trademark Association)
• ECTA (European Communities Trade Mark Association)
• LES (Licensing Executives Society)
• AIPPI (International Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property)
• INGRES (Institut für gewerblichen Rechtsschutz; Swiss IP Association)
• VSP (Association of Swiss Patent and Trademark Attorneys)
• SF/FS (Swiss Forum for Communication Law)
• Zurich Bar Association
• Swiss Bar Association
• ASA (Swiss Arbitration Association)

• 1994 : Admitted to the Bern Bar, authorized to practice as an attorney-at-law all over Switzerland
• 1991-1992 : Junior associate at Jolidon Krneta Gullotti Hirt Riva, Bern
• 1991 : Law clerk at the District Court of Burgdorf
• 1987-1994 : University of Bern, Law School