European Patent Office Leadership

• Patent Examination: Served as a patent examiner from 1989 to 2002, developing deep expertise in patent examination and technical assessment.
• Director, Patent Granting Process: Led responsibilities in Information and Communications Technology at the EPO from 2002 to 2019.
• Examiner Training: Trained generations of EPO examiners in patent law and examination practice.
• Computer-Implemented Inventions: Co-drafted examiner guidelines covering computer-implemented inventions, including artificial intelligence inventions, during his final five years at the EPO.
• International Comparative Studies: Managed bilateral studies of patenting practice with the Japan Patent Office (JPO) and the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA).
• Operational Quality: Oversaw operational quality within his area of responsibility at the EPO.

Legal Expertise & Academic Engagement

• Legal Studies: Completed two years of legal studies with the University of London.
• Unified Patent Court: Completed training as a Technically Qualified Judge for the European Unified Patent Court through CEIPI in Strasbourg.
• Mediation: Accredited mediator with CEDR, the Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution in London.
• Guest Lecturer: Teaches European Patent Law, particularly computer-implemented inventions, at Maastricht University's Law School and Washington University in St. Louis.
• International Speaker: Has presented European patent practice, with emphasis on AI applications, at forums across Europe, North America, South America and Asia.

Professional Memberships

Yannis is a Life Senior Member of IEEE, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. He is also a member of several international intellectual property and business organisations.

• IEEE: Life Senior Member.
• ICC: Member of the International Chamber of Commerce's IP Commission.
• LESI: Licensing Executives Society International.
• AIPPI: International Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property.
• AIPLA: American Intellectual Property Law Association.

Languages & International Perspective

A native Greek speaker, Yannis is fluent in English and German and has a working knowledge of French and Dutch. His international experience spans patent institutions, academic environments, technology businesses and professional IP networks.

Current Research

Yannis is pursuing a PhD as an external candidate at the Law School of Maastricht University. His research examines whether the European Patent Convention remains fit for purpose in relation to patenting artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies.