Intellectual Property
Our specialisms
Trademark law / Patent Law / Sports marketing / Sponsoring / Domain & disputes / Counterfeit & custom seizures / Parallel import / Copyright / Intellectual property / IP litigation / Online content / Digital business, e-commerce / Gaming regulation / Advertising / Trade Names / Design Law / Database rights / Trade secrets / Brand protection / Licensing / R&D / Med Tec / German Desk
Our highly regarded IP team will assist you in protecting your valuable innovations and brands. We work for an impressive list of international clients in the areas of technology (including life sciences), media, fashion and luxury goods. Our team is experienced in providing advice on IP strategy, contracting and litigation.
"Our attorneys regularly teach and publish in these fields, and some also act as judge or arbitrator. But above all we pride ourselves on being business-savvy and pragmatic in this complex field of law"
We have specialists in the complete range of IP rights, such as trademarks, copyright, designs, domain names, patents and trade secrets. Recently we added trademark prosecution services to our portfolio. Our attorneys regularly teach and publish in these fields, and some also act as judge or arbitrator. But above all we pride ourselves on being business-savvy and pragmatic in this complex field of law.
When expertise of other jurisdictions is required, we have access to over 150 law firms in 100 jurisdictions across the globe.
Market recognition
Chambers Europe 2023 - Intellectual Property - Ranked
What the team is known for
Kennedy Van der Laan often assists clients with the negotiation of intellectual property licences. The law firm also handles a number of contentious matters, including representing clients in trade mark infringement and invalidity proceedings, as well as advising on trade secrets litigation and copyright disputes. The team has experience in anti-counterfeiting mandates and regulatory compliance obligations.
Strengths
One commentator reports that the lawyers are "super responsive and good value."
Notable practitioners
Maarten Schut often advises clients on IP licensing as part of R&D agreements. He also represents clients in trade secrets and trade mark litigation. "Maarten Schut has the ability to understand the technical questions well."
Chambers Global 2023 - Intellectual Property - Ranked
What the team is known for
Kennedy Van der Laan often assists clients with the negotiation of intellectual property licences. The law firm also handles a number of contentious matters, including representing clients in trade mark infringement and invalidity proceedings, as well as advising on trade secrets litigation and copyright disputes. The team has experience in anti-counterfeiting mandates and regulatory compliance obligations.
Strengths
"The lawyers are super responsive and good value."
Notable practitioners
Maarten Schut often advises clients on IP licensing as part of R&D agreements. He also represents clients in trade secrets and trade mark litigation. "Maarten Schut has the ability to understand the technical questions well."
The Legal 500 EMEA 2022 - Intellectual property: Trade marks, copyrights and design rights - Ranked
Kennedy Van der Laan continues to build on its key areas of specialism; technology, media/the internet and the fashion/luxury goods sectors. It has attracted an impressive number of new clients in these areas and its ‘success rate has been remarkable throughout the years‘ in respect of trade mark protection matters. Maarten Schut, who heads the group with Alfred Meijboom, has extensive trade marks expertise, particularly in the areas of life sciences and advanced technologies and is also a deputy judge at one of the four courts of appeal. Founding partner, Meijboom is known for his work where IP and IT interface and for ‘complex multi-jurisdictional‘ cases. Joran Spauwen became a partner in 2021 – his focus is on internet-based disputes and transactions and he is noted for his cyber security expertise. The ‘exceptional‘ senior associate Reindert Van Der Zaal's focus is brand protection and entertainment law. Sophie Van Loon and Gaya Schultz are other core team members.
Practice head(s): Alfred Meijboom; Maarten Schut
Other key lawyers: Reindert van der Zaal; Sophie van Loon; Gaya Schultz; Joran Spauwen
Leading Individuals
Maarten Schut
Rising Stars
Reindert van der Zaal
Testimonials
- 'KVDL lawyers are true legal and judicial experts who have the added advantage of being very pragmatic. They deliver effective, business-oriented advice and strategies and are perfectly adapted to their interlocutors: concise and pragmatic for operational clients, and legal smart experts before Courts and offices.’
- ‘Alfred Meijboom is a smart and experienced lawyer, capable of handling complex multi-jurisdictional intellectual property cases. Gaya Schultz, who assists Alfred on cases, is very well versed in trademark law and office practices.’
- ‘Marteen Schut is a proven expert in anti-counterfeiting and trademark protection, with extensive experience in the fashion and retail sectors. Reindert van der Zaal, in Maarten’s team, is also excellent in this field.’
Chambers Global 2022 - Intellectual Property: General - Mostly Trade Mark/Copyright - Global Market Leaders - Maarten Schut
Notable practitioners
An interviewee reports that Maarten Schut is "easy to talk to and easy to work with." Maarten Schut often advises clients on IP licensing as part of R&D agreements. He also represents clients in trade secrets and trade mark litigation.
Chambers Europe 2022 - Intellectual Property - Ranked
What the team is known for
Kennedy Van der Laan often assists clients with the negotiation of intellectual property licences. The law firm also handles a number of contentious matters, including representing clients in trade mark infringement and invalidity proceedings, as well as advising on trade secrets litigation and misleading advertising disputes. The team has experience in anti-counterfeiting mandates and compliance with copyright directives.
Strengths
A market source highlights the firm's "really good commercial approach" and "forward-thinking attitude."
Notable practitioners
An interviewee reports that Maarten Schut is "easy to talk to and easy to work with." Maarten Schut often advises clients on IP licensing as part of R&D agreements. He also represents clients in trade secrets and trade mark litigation.
World Trademark Review 1000 - Benelux: Netherlands
"For three decades, Kennedy Van der Laan has maintained its position as “an outstanding partner for IP matters”. It draws judiciously on talents from across its comprehensive range of practice areas to pool together resources and coordinate decisive strategies that ensure favourable long-term results for brand owners. Since adding prosecution to its offering, the outfit has received a flood of instructions on the non-contentious side; but dispute resolution remains its strongest suit. Founding partner, division lead and “excellent all-round IP lawyer” Alfred Meijboom acquits himself with distinction when domain name issues arise; while “highly experienced trademark litigator” Maarten Schut is “brilliant in court”. Together they have built a robust anti-counterfeiting practice, assisting fashion designers and retailers such as Converse with their infringement battles across Europe."