Unsigned contracts: can they be binding under Swiss law?
Thomas Widmer, Simon P. Quedens, 2023Lexology online and LALIVE Blog, 28 March 2023
35, Rue de la Mairie
P.O. Box 6569
1211 Geneva 6
Switzerland
Thomas Widmer joined LALIVE as an associate in 2007. His main areas of practice are domestic litigation and intellectual property. He is a member of the Board of AIPPI (International Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property) Switzerland. He is also a member of the Copyright Standing Committee of AIPPI, the International Trademark Association (INTA), the Association Romande de Propriété Intellectuelle (AROPI) and, since 2020, he is a Special Coach in licensing, alliances and M&A at Innosuisse, the Swiss Innovation Agency.
Before passing the bar-exam in Geneva and joining LALIVE, Thomas Widmer trained in Geneva with Rouvinet Eigenheer Beguin (2005-2006) and at the finance department of the City of Geneva (2004). He also participated as a member of the Geneva Law Faculty team to the 2003 Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot in Vienna.
Thomas Widmer holds a law degree from the University of Geneva (2003) and also studied at the University of Utrecht, The Netherlands (2002). He also holds three World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) certificates (“General Course on Intellectual Property”, “Trademarks, Industrial Designs and Geographical Indications” and “Patents”).
Since 2014, Thomas Widmer teaches the “Legal and regulatory approach” module of the “Business Communication, Web expertise and Social Media” course at the University of Geneva (Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences). This module mainly covers the legal framework surrounding e-commerce, intellectual property and data protection. Since 2017, he also teaches the “Intellectual Property” module of the Master 2 “Management and Business Administration” course offered jointly by the University of Geneva (Geneva School of Economics and Management) and the University of Savoy Mont Blanc. As from January 2022, Thomas Widmer will be in charge of a course on the introduction to commercial law at the Institut Capacité en droit. This Institute, based in Geneva, awards the certificate of Capacité en droit. In March 2023 Thomas Widmer successfully completed the course of “Data Protection Officer”.
Thomas Widmer is praised for his "extensive knowledge on the subject" as well as noting that he is "very diligent in ensuring follow-ups."
Chambers Europe, Intellectual Property, Switzerland, 2021
Practice head Thomas Widmer is the key name in the practice, described as “an outstanding legal professional with excellent legal skills and understanding of the client.”
Legal 500, Switzerland, Intellectual Property, 2021
Thomas Widmer is described by clients and peers as “solid”.
Chambers Europe, Intellectual Property, Switzerland, 2020
Thomas Widmer is competent, efficient and dedicated.
The Legal 500, 2019
Thomas Widmer of Lalive is praised by clients for being "very pragmatic and to the point." He is also highlighted for his responsiveness, with clients noting: "He is always available and gives me quick answers." He has a particular focus on contentious matters, representing clients in disputes concerning licensing, trade marks, unfair competition and counterfeiting.
Chambers Europe, Intellectual Property, Switzerland, 2019
‘Proactive and extremely knowledgeable’ counsel Thomas Widmer ‘responds very quickly and keeps clients updated’
Legal 500, Switzerland, Intellectual Property, 2018
Thomas Widmer of LALIVE is active in arbitration and litigation related to trade marks and patents. Clients say that he displays "very good technical knowledge, effectiveness and very good client service."
Chambers Europe, Intellectual Property, Switzerland, 2017
Thomas Widmer is recommended.
Legal 500, Switzerland, Intellectual property, 2017
Clients appreciate Thomas Widmer of Lalive for his "swift responses and knowledge of IP-related issues." Sources further remark: "He's extremely reactive and he does very refined research on all points. He has a very precise outlook on cases." He has been active in counterfeiting and unfair competition matters.
Chambers Europe, Intellectual Property, Switzerland, 2016
Thomas Widmer of Lalive climbs the rankings thanks to impressive praise from clients: "He is very knowledgeable, diligent and practical; he tries to anticipate our needs and is always proactive.”
Chambers Europe, Intellectual Property, Switzerland, 2015
Thomas Widmer of Lalive is "responsive, supportive and knowledgeable," say interviewees. Widmer's analytical skills are also commended.
Chambers Europe, Switzerland, Intellectual Property, 2014
Thomas Widmer ranked as Associates to watch
Chambers Europe, Intellectual Property, 2013
Lexology online and LALIVE Blog, 28 March 2023
International Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property (AIPPI) Newsletter, 24 March 2023
International Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property (AIPPI), 2020
TerraLex Connections, January 2020 (delivered through Lexology)
International Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property (AIPPI), 2019
International Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property (AIPPI), 2018
International Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property (AIPPI) e-News No. 56, February 2018
International Trademark Association (INTA) Bulletin, vol. 72, N° 15, 1 September 2017
International Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property (AIPPI), 2017
International Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property (AIPPI), 2016
sic! Revue du droit de la propriété intellectuelle, de l’information et de la concurrence, January 2016
In: Dennis Campbell (General Ed.), Internet: Laws and Regulatory Regimes - 2nd Edition, Juris Publishing, 2016
International Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property (AIPPI) e-News No. 44, November 2015
sic! Revue du droit de la propriété intellectuelle, de l’information et de la concurrence, November 2015
Revue Suisse de Jurisprudence (RSJ), 111/2015, pp. 339
International Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property (AIPPI), e-News No. 41, April 2015
International Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property (AIPPI), e-News No. 37, August 2014
In: Pierre Greffe, François Greffe, Traité des dessins et des modèles
France - Union Européenne - Suisse - Continent Américain, 9th ed., Lexis Nexis, pp. 909-938.
International Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property (AIPPI), e-News No. 35, April 2014
International Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property (AIPPI), e-News No. 31, July 2013, pp. 5 & 13
International Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property (AIPPI), e-News No. 30, May 2013, pp. 4 & 13
sic! Revue du droit de la propriété intellectuelle, de l'information et de la concurrence, 2013, pp. 222
International Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property (AIPPI), e-News No. 28, January 2013, pp. 4 & 11
Articles 5-7, 11, 21, 50-53 LDes et 14, 15, 141-143 et 145 LBI
International Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property (AIPPI), e-News No. 32, October 2013
Le Temps, Economie Forum, 17 October 2012, p. 16
International Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property (AIPPI), e-News No. 26, September 2012, pp. 5 & 21
sic! Revue du droit de la propriété intellectuelle, de l'information et de la concurrence, 2012, pp. 169
sic! Revue du droit de la propriété intellectuelle, de l'information et de la concurrence, 2012, pp. 126
International Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property (AIPPI), e-News No. 21, November 2011, pp. 5 & 18
Journal du Droit International, April-May-June 2011, No. 2/2011, pp. 465-468
Le Temps, section Finance, 22 November 2010, pp. 16
Le Matin Dimanche, section Economy, 6 July 2008, pp. 25
For more information, see the programme.
For more information see the presentation
For more information, see the presentation
For more information, see the presentation
For more information, see the presentation.
For further information, see the approved resolution.
For more information, see the outline.
For further information, see the outline.
For further information, see the outline.
For further information, see the outline.
For further information, see the outline.
For further information, see the outline.
For more information, see the programme.
For more information, see the presentation.
2022 - current
Institut Capacité en droit, Geneva – Introduction to Commercial Law
2014 - current
Fribourg University School of Law, Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Cross-Cultural Business Practice
International Joint Ventures – International Agency and Distributorship Agreements
2017 - current
University of Geneva (Geneva School of Economics and Management) and the University of Savoy Mont Blanc
International business law, Intellectual property law
2014 - current
University of Geneva, Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences
Legal and regulatory approach module - Business Communication, Web Expertise and Social Media
LALIVE litigation team again highly ranked by The Legal 500
Thomas Widmer appointed as Innosuisse Special coach in licensing, alliances and M&A
LALIVE ranked as the top dispute resolution firm in Switzerland by Handelsblatt
Thomas Widmer mentioned in the Tribune de Genève in connection with the dispute between the Groupement des Entreprises Multinationales (GEM) and GEM-Geneva En Marche political party
Thomas Widmer to lead working group on Bad Faith Trademarks
Thomas Widmer interviewed on RTS radio on author’s rights surrounding shared press articles
LALIVE achieves excellent rankings in Chambers Europe and Legal 500
LALIVE Counsel Thomas Widmer appointed to the Copyright Special Committee of the AIPPI
LALIVE promotes Thomas Widmer and Laura Halonen to Counsel