People

Thomas Widmer

array(1) { [0]=> array(2) { ["cv_upload"]=> string(66) "https://www.lalive.law/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/WIDMER-E-2-2.pdf" ["cv_language"]=> string(13) "Print this CV" } }
Print this CV
⬅ Back

Thomas Widmer

Counsel

Admission

Switzerland, 2007

Nationality

Swiss

Languages

French , English , Spanish

Geneva

35, Rue de la Mairie
P.O. Box 6569
1211 Geneva 6
Switzerland

Contact

+41 58 105 2000
Download vCard

Practices

Areas of focus

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

Switzerland

Thomas Widmer, Deborah Lechtman, 2016

In: Dennis Campbell (General Ed.), Internet: Laws and Regulatory Regimes - 2nd Edition, Juris Publishing, 2016

Suisse

Thomas Widmer, Kamen Troller, 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.

Commentaire romand Propriété Intellectuelle

Thomas Widmer, Kamen Troller, 2013

Articles 5-7, 11, 21, 50-53 LDes et 14, 15, 141-143 et 145 LBI

Made in Switzerland : le projet Swissness bat de l’aile

Thomas Widmer, 2012

Le Temps, Economie Forum, 17 October 2012, p. 16

Utilisation d’une marque refusée à l’enregistrement

Thomas Widmer, 2012

sic! Revue du droit de la propriété intellectuelle, de l'information et de la concurrence, 2012, pp. 169

International Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property (AIPPI)

AIPPI Switzerland Swiss Day 2023

30/03/2023 Bern Thomas Widmer Conference chair: Equivalence and Use: two evolving challenges in the context of IP

For more information, see the programme.

International Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property (AIPPI)

AIPPI Swiss Group Webinar about Study Questions and Resolutions 2022

24/11/2022 Webinar Thomas Widmer Moderator

For more information see the presentation

International Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property (AIPPI)

AIPPI annual congress 2022

10/09/2022 San Francisco Thomas Widmer Co-speaker: Hold the Presses! Fair Use on the Internet

For more information, see the presentation

International Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property (AIPPI)

AIPPI annual congress 2022

10/09/2022 San Francisco Thomas Widmer AIPPI Café moderator: Copyright and Photography

For more information, see the presentation

Culture Valais

Introduction à la propriété intellectuelle

09/10/2021 Sion Thomas Widmer Speaker

For more information, see the presentation.

Association Internationale pour la Protection de la Propriété Intellectuelle (AIPPI)

Annual meeting: Descriptive use as a defence in trademark proceedings

30/10/2020 Thomas Widmer Secretary

For further information, see the approved resolution.

Geneva Pharma Network

Lunch and Learn. Everything you want to know about patent in pharma! Licence & distribution agreements

20/11/2019 Geneva Thomas Widmer Speaker

For more information, see the outline.

LALIVE

Art Law Event: A la découverte de l’art aborigène

04/06/2019 Geneva Thomas Widmer Speaker: Quelques aspects de droits d’auteur

For further information, see the outline.

International Trademark Association (INTA)

To What Extent is Slavish Imitation of Non-IP Protected Products Lawful?

22/05/2019 Boston Thomas Widmer Moderator

For further information, see the outline.

WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center & Young ICCA

Arbitration of trademark and commercial disputes

31/01/2019 Geneva Thomas Widmer Moderator

For further information, see the outline.

International Trademark Association (INTA)

Bad Faith and Revival of Abandoned Trademarks by Third Parties

23/05/2018 Seattle Thomas Widmer Speaker

For further information, see the outline.

International Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property (AIPPI)

Annual meeting: Bad faith trademarks

13/05/2018 Sydney Thomas Widmer Secretary

International Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property (AIPPI)

AIPPI Switzerland Q&Rs 2017

23/11/2017 Zurich Thomas Widmer Speaker: presentation of the “Bad faith trademarks” resolution adopted on 17 October 2017 in Sydney

LALIVE

Art Law Event: La photographie et le droit

30/05/2017 Geneva Thomas Widmer Speaker: photographies de presse, liberté de panorama et titularité de droits d’auteur

International Trademark Association (INTA)

The Interplay between Trademark Rights and Copyright

21/05/2017 Barcelona Thomas Widmer Moderator

For further information, see the outline.

ICC Young Arbitrators Forum

Distribution Law and Arbitration

04/11/2016 Torino Thomas Widmer Speaker: Intellectual Property Claims in Distribution Contracts Related Disputes

For more information, see the programme.

The Cité Universitaire of Geneva

Conférence des Directeurs et Directrices des résidences pour étudiants

18/04/2016 Geneva Thomas Widmer Speaker : Le droit du bail dans les résidences pour étudiants

For more information, see the presentation.

Thomas Widmer Lecturer

2022 - current

Institut Capacité en droit, Geneva – Introduction to Commercial Law

Thomas Widmer Guest Lecturer

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

Thomas Widmer Lecturer

2017 - current

University of Geneva (Geneva School of Economics and Management) and the University of Savoy Mont Blanc
International business law, Intellectual property law

Thomas Widmer Lecturer

2014 - current

University of Geneva, Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences
Legal and regulatory approach module - Business Communication, Web Expertise and Social Media