His research in the field of unfair competition law was groundbreaking and prepared European harmonisation. As its first editor, he initiated the leading “Schricker Commentary”, which has ever since been the indispensable reference book for both researchers and practitioners in German copyright law. As regards legal policy, Gerhard Schricker, who is also celebrating his golden jubilee as a Scientific Member of the Max Planck Society this year, has consistently been aiming to promote the protection of the weaker party in the law. Accordingly, he has always been advocating the consumer-orientation of unfair competition law and, as a co-author of the so-called “Professorenentwurf”, prepared the way for the adoption of the German copyright contract law.
Gerhard Schricker inspired many Ph.D. students, who nowadays occupy leading positions at universities and in practice. Moreover, his leadership in navigating the Institute through difficult times and in preparing it for the future is among his major achievements. Especially for the latter, the current Directors of the Institute are deeply indebted to Gerhard Schricker.
A more detailed laudation authored by Ansgar Ohly can be found in the June issue of GRUR International or online here.