Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for cutting a film-like workpiece, in particular an electrode sheet, by means of a laser beam with a clamping assembly for a sheet-shaped starting material. According to the invention it is provided that the clamping assembly comprises a first clamping plate device and a second clamping plate device, between which the sheet-shaped starting material can be clamped, wherein at least one clamping plate device comprises an outer clamping unit, which is adapted to an outer contour of the workpiece, and an inner cover element, which, during cutting, is arranged inside the outer clamping unit and covers an inner surface of the workpiece, wherein a passage gap for the laser beam is formed between the outer clamping unit and the inner cover element, and that a laser beam device is provided and configured to generate a laser beam and to guide it along the formed passage gap.