FOOD LAW.
Foodstuffs constitute very special goods. They are subject to numerous regulations which develop dynamically and are closely interwoven. In this challenging environment, we advise and represent companies of all sizes, including start-ups, within the artisanal food, food retail and food industry sectors, concerning all matters specific to their sectors and products. We primarily address regulatory and competition law issues related to labelling and advertising (particularly in connection with health claims), but we also support our clients in regulatory complaints and investigatory proceedings
Dr. Thomas Guttau
born 1983, university studies in Kiel, Marburg, and Poitiers/France; postgraduate judicial service training in Kiel, admitted as attorney in 2013, Certified Specialist for intellectual property law
Specialisation: Intellectual property law (in particular, trademark, design and unfair competition law), food law, medicinal product and pharmaceuticals advertising, legal issues regarding advertising and marketing, general civil and contract law.
The focus of Dr Guttau’s work lies in intellectual property law, primarily unfair competition and trademark law. He currently assists with trademark and design registrations at national and international level, and manages a range of trademark portfolios. Alongside all this, he frequently handles cease and desist actions, infringement proceedings, and compensation claims with respect to intellectual property rights.
Dr Guttau also has outstanding expertise in food law and in medicinal product and pharmaceuticals advertising law. His clients in this area range from small and medium-sized enterprises to large corporates, as well as sole proprietors and start-ups; his work in this area tends to focus on advertising campaigns and all regulatory matters such as labelling and health claims.
As regards business law, Dr Guttau mainly advises on contract drafting and handles litigation.
Dr Guttau is a member of the Admissions Committee for Specialist Lawyers for Commercial Legal Protection of the Schleswig-Holstein and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania Bar Associations and works as a lecturer at the Christian-Albrechts-University in Kiel. He is also a member of GRUR (Society for the Protection of Intellectual Property and Copyright), is active in the Marketing Club Schleswig-Holstein e.V. and is also the author of various publications on food and drug law. Until 2023 he was also a member of the scientific advisory board of the research center for food law at the University of Marburg.