Thomas Sambuc

Thomas Sambuc has served as an Honorary Professor (Adjunct Professor) at the Law Faculty since 2005, holding a part-time position while concurrently practicing law. He was admitted as a lawyer in 1980 and joined the Stuttgart-based firm Lichtenstein & Körner. His academic foundation includes an LL.M. from Yale Law School (1978-1979), a doctorate from the University of Konstanz (1976), and legal studies at the Free University of Berlin and University of Tübingen (1969-1974).

His research specializes in intellectual property and competition law, with core expertise in:

• Trademark law (distinctiveness, product design)
• Unfair competition regulations
• Copyright adaptations for digital media
• Design protection frameworks

His publications (2004-2019) predominantly analyze trademark conflicts, competition law enforcement, and copyright challenges in evolving markets. Key themes include EU regulatory compliance, brand protection strategies, and judicial interpretations of commercial statutes.

Honors include leadership roles in professional associations:

• Honorary Chairman, GRUR Southwest Regional Group (2017)
• Chairman, GRUR Southwest Regional Group (2005)

He maintains active membership in the GRUR, ECTA, INTA, and Juristische Gesellschaft Tübingen.