Claus is a Senior Patent Attorney at Plougmann Vingtoft A/S in Aarhus, Denmark.
His core area of expertise lies in patent counselling in the fields of mechanical engineering, process and manufacturing technologies, electronics, healthcare and cleantech.
Claus combines his work in private practice with serving as a Technical Judge at the Unified Patent Court, as well as at both the Western and Eastern High Courts in Denmark.
In recognition of his services to the country as technical judge in the Maritime and Commercial High Court, Claus was awarded the Knight Order of Dannebrog by the Queen of Denmark in 2021.
Adding value to clients
Claus firmly believes in tailoring IP counselling to clients’ individual needs.
“We avoid providing a ‘one-size-fit-all’ type of advice.
“What drives us at Plougmann Vingtoft is working with clients to achieve their specific goals and ensuring they receive the advice that’s right for their circumstances.”
The future for independent IP attorneys
IT and technology continue to have a clear impact on IP firms, Claus believes.
"As IT develops, we need to adapt. Right now, AI is set to drive significant changes in the way we work.”
Claus is close to many cutting-edge technological developments through his specialist fields which include robotics, medical devices, building and structural technologies, and logistics, amongst others!
Value of FICPI membership
Claus joined FICPI in 2005 and has been an active member in FICPI International as well as in building FICPI-Denmark.
He served as the FICPI ExCo delegate for Denmark (2013-2019), and in 2022, Claus co-founded FICPI-Denmark and remains its Chairperson.
He previously made valued contributions as an active member of CET 7, FICPI’s working group on IP enforcement and alternate dispute resolution.
Claus continues to drive opportunities to collaborate and connect on intellectual property issues. In June this year he co-organised the FICPI Denmark & CET Seminar organised by FICPI Denmark and FICPI’s Study & Work Committee (known by its French acronym, CET), covering topics from the UPC to patents and designs.
Claus says FICPI is notable as being:
“The network of competent and friendly colleagues from around the world. I always enjoy participating in FICPI events!”
Final word – outside of work
Claus enjoys soaring through the skies when not at work.
He loves flying, in particular gliders and sailplanes, a type of high-performance glider designed for extended engine-free flight of multiple hours in duration. Claus has been active in the sport since 1981 and has over 2300 flying hours under his belt. He also owns his own motorised glider - which he says he should spend much more time flying!
Claus doesn’t confine his flying to Denmark. He is currently co-holder of five Danish records for two-seater gliders, earnt on an outstanding flight in Namibia in January 2024, on a 1000km triangular voyage in accordance with the FAI (Fédération Aérospatiale Internationale) rules.
And he’s a skilled linguist, speaking four languages fluently and with conversational skills in an another three!
Education & training
2015: CEIPI Training Programme for Technically Qualified Judges of the Unified Patent Court
2014: CEIPI Course on Patent Litigation in Europe
2003: European Design Attorney
1997: European Patent Attorney
1989: Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Aalborg University.
Professional background
2023 - date: Technical Judge, Unified Patent Court
2020 - date: Senior Patent Attorney, Plougmann Vingtoft A/S
2019 - date: Technical Judge, Eastern High Court, Denmark
2019 - date: Technical Judge, Western High Court, Denmark
2010 - date: Technical Judge, Maritime and Commercial Court, Copenhagen
2007 – date: Court appointed technical expert (Syn- og Skønsmand) in patent and design related cases
2006-2020: Partner, European Patent Attorney and European Design Attorney at Høiberg A/S
2005-2006: Owner and European Patent Attorney and European Design Attorney at Elmeros Patents ApS
1999-2005: Tutor at epi (Tutorials for candidates preparing for the European Qualifying Examination)
1999-2011: Tutor at the CEIPI course in Copenhagen
1998-2005: Founding partner, European Patent Attorney and European Design Attorney at Patentgruppen
1996-1998: European Patent Attorney (from 1997), Hofman-Bang A/S
1995-1996: Patent Attorney, Jysk Patent Bureau A/S
1990-1995: Patent Examiner at the EPO
