Joran Spauwen

Cyber security / Patent Law / Emerging technologies / IT litigation & arbitration / Domain name disputes / Copyright / Intellectual property / IP Litigation / Online content / Gambling regulation / Advertising law / Life sciences / Database rights / Trade Secrets / Licencing / R&D / Med tec / German desk.

Joran advises and litigates in Kennedy Van der Laan’s IP and media practice. He specializes in technology and information matters and is particularly experienced in digital business (platform and retail), the protection and commercialization of technology (R&D) and online copyright. Joran also deals with related regulatory issues and is a member of the data protection litigation team.

Work highlights include litigation on information disclosures in IP proceedings, representing platforms and ISPs in matters regarding disclosure requests for user information, representing and advising ISP’s in cases on filtering obligations, handling regulatory oversight in relation to rating information, structuring several technological collaborations and internationally enforcing patent and trade rights. As a registered UPC representative Joran also regularly litigates at the Unified Patent Court.

Joran graduated from Utrecht University, where he specialized in IP, media and Tech law at the University of Amsterdam and George Washington University (Munich Program). Joran has a history as software designer and consultant. Experience he now uses in his daily practice as an attorney.

Joran is a member of the Licensing Executives Society (LES), Dutch Media and Communication Law Association (VMC) and the Dutch Copyright Law Association (VVA).

• Defending a listed multinational against a major cyber-crime extortion incident.
• Representing a listed social media multinational in various content and data disclosure suits.
• Acting as lead technology counsel on the sale of a high-tech manufacturer by a Dutch investment firm, an international software company and a listed tech multinational.
• Successfully seizing and obtaining infringement evidence in ‘exhibition’ proceedings (disclosure/discovery) against a major FMCG multinational.
• Advising an international biotech company on a technology transaction with a major research institute.
• Defending an incumbent ISP against internet filtering claims.
• Advising a listed software multinational on a high-profile public-private research partnership.
• Advised Balderton Capital on the investment in VanMoof a Dutch E-Bike company. Read more.

The Legal 500 EMEA 2025 - Industry Focus: Media and Entertainment - Tier 1

Kennedy Van der Laan provides comprehensive legal support to a diverse range of clients in the media and entertainment sector, including production companies, streaming services, broadcasters, and social media platforms. The team handles both contentious and non-contentious matters, with expertise covering defamation law, platform cases, environmental issues, copyright litigation, and regulatory compliance. Jens Van den Brink, head of the practice, specialises in media litigation and provides counsel on a broad spectrum of issues, with a particular focus on free speech, copyright, and digital matters. Other key members include Joran Spauwen, a specialist in content and technology, and Lotte Oranje, who is frequently sought by clients for advice on press publications and online content.

Next Generation Partners

Joran Spauwen

Testimonials

‘We were very pleased with the outstanding work of Joran Spauwen. A great communicator and lawyer. The team was quick on their feet, fluent in English, able to insert our impromptu comments in their speech, and their replies to the opposing party were spot on.’

Chambers Europe 2025 - TMT: Media - Ranked

Joran Spauwen is well regarded in the field of media and communications. He advises clients on contentious matters such as anti-piracy action, media regulations and defamation. He also assists with matters relating to freedom of information, market entry and contractual advice.

• "Joran Spauwen is an absolutely brilliant lawyer with a bright future."
• "Joran Spauwen is a lawyer who is able to act as a trusted adviser. He is genuinely interested in the client's business and is extremely knowledgeable, flexible, creative and pragmatic."
• "Joran Spauwen was quick on his feet and did a marvelous job."

The Legal 500 EMEA 2024 - Intellectual Property: Trade marks, copyrights and design rights - Ranked

The ‘true legal and judicial experts’ at Kennedy Van der Laan divide their focus between the tech, media and entertainment, fashion and luxury sectors, representing clients in major trade mark infringement claims and issues around intermediary liability. The practice is led by Maarten Schut, a specialist in tech and life sciences trade mark disputes; IP, IT and sports-focused Alfred Meijboom; and Joran Spauwen, whose expertise lies in assisting the IP aspects of tech transactions. Reindert van der Zaal represents both domestic and international fashion, luxury and sports brands in trade mark and advertising matters, and co-heads the firm’s anti-counterfeiting program.
 

The Legal 500 EMEA 2024 - Industry Focus: Media and Entertainment - Tier 1

Kennedy Van der Laan has extensive experience handling high-profile litigation matters for clients within the media and entertainment industry. The firm caters to a diversity of clients, including production companies, streaming services, broadcasters and social media platforms. Hailed for his ‘thorough understanding of media and journalism’, Jens Van den Brink heads the team. Joran Spauwen is another exceptional member of the team that has in-depth experience advising media clients on data protection regulations and online copyright requirements. Sophie van Loon and Lotte Oranje are also notable. Van Loon has experience handling copyright disputes, while Oranje regularly assists with some of the firm’s most prominent cases.

Next Generation Partner
Joran Spauwen

Chambers Europe 2023 - TMT: Media - Up and Coming

Joran Spauwen is well regarded in the field of media and communications. He advises clients from the technology sector on contentious matters such as data disclosures and defamation. He also assists with matters relating to freedom of information.

Chambers Europe 2024 - TMT: Media - Up and Coming

Joran Spauwen is well regarded in the field of media and communications. He advises clients on contentious matters such as anti-piracy action, media regulations and defamation. He also assists with matters relating to freedom of information.

The Legal 500 EMEA 2023 - Healthcare & Life Sciences - Ranked

Jointly led by healthcare expert Fenna van Dijk and life sciences specialist Maarten Schut, Kennedy Van der Laan's team handles the full breadth of mandates across the healthcare and life sciences segments. Combining a corporate background with a focus on healthcare, Van Dijk advises on market entry, licenses, clinical research, PPPs and drafting contracts with medical devices companies; she played a key role in the vaccine strategy concerning the Covid-19 pandemic. IP expert Schut advises multinational companies including Nutreco and Syngenta and not-for-profit institutions on conflicts relating to R&D and licensing. With the addition of Joran Spauwen, the practice has gained a specialist in IP-focused transactions in the advanced technologies sector, assisting healthcare service providers with medical devices regulation and negotiating contracts with AI suppliers. He also links the M&A practice to the healthcare and life sciences practice, focusing on innovative companies investing in the health tech industry. Counsel Sophie Van Loon specialises in contract drafting, advisory work and litigation within the life sciences field and associate Eline Lam focuses on corporate, healthcare and regulatory law.

The Legal 500 EMEA 2023 - Intellectual Property: Trade marks, copyrights and design rights - Ranked

Kennedy Van der Laan represents high-profile clients active in a range of sectors, especially in the advanced technologies, life sciences, fashion and media industries. Maarten Schut is a key name for technology and innovative life sciences companies for trade mark and trade secret issues, while Alfred Meijboom is recognised for his intersecting IP and IT work, and also advises sports-sector clients and handles arbitration cases involving art. Joran Spauwen assists emerging companies and foreign clients with investments in innovative technologies, requiring licensing and IP transactions. Counsel Sophie Van Loon is a specialist in collective rights management issues and in copyright law, and senior associate Reindert Van Der Zaal leads on brand protection, anti-counterfeiting and trade mark infringement mandates for sports, luxury and fashion brands.

Testimonials

‘The individuals I work with are Reindert van der Zaal, Joran Spauwen and Jens van den Brink. All very specialised, pragmatic and always deliver on time.’

The Legal 500 EMEA 2023 - Industry Focus: Media and Entertainment - Tier 1

Known for its freedom of speech and internet-related media practice, Kennedy Van der Laan is sought out by Dutch news outlets, broadcasters and production companies for advice on defamation claims and pre-publication reviews. Team head Jens van den Brink represents national and international media companies in free speech, copyright and digital matters. Content and technology specialist Joran Spauwen counsels the firm’s internet platforms and ISP clients on IP and transactional mandates. Counsel in the IP and media practice Sophie Van Loon is a key contact for social media platforms, while senior associate Emiel Jurjens is an integral member of the team when representing clients in litigation proceedings. Associate Lotte Oranje regularly acts for clients in disputes concerning press publications and online content.

Testimonials

• ‘Joran Spauwen and Jens van den Brink are both strong litigators and have good industry knowledge.’
• ‘Joran Spauwen stands out as being able to translate tech in an understandable way.’

Chambers Europe 2023 - TMT: Media - Up and Coming

Joran Spauwen is well regarded in the field of media and communications. He advises clients from the technology sector on contentious matters such as data disclosures and defamation. He also assists with matters relating to freedom of information.

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.

The Legal 500 EMEA 2022 - Healthcare & Life Sciences - Ranked
 

The team at Kennedy Van der Laan is ‘knowledgeable, practical in its approach, pleasant to deal with and delivers a high-quality product’. It is well known in the market for advising clients on corporate, governance, compliance, competition and financing matters. Fenna van Dijk co-heads the practice with over two decades of experience in commercial work; Maarten Schut also heads the team and is recommended for IP. Joran Spauwen is a new election to the partnership.
 

The Legal 500 EMEA 2020 - Intellectual property: Trade marks, copyrights and design rights - Ranked

Kennedy Van der Laan's IP practice handles both contentious and non-contentious work in the areas of trade marks, copyright, designs, licensing, R&D, trade secrets and patents. The firm has a strong presence in the technology, media, and fashion and luxury sectors. Alfred Meijboom and Maarten Schut lead the department. Sophie van Loon specialises in copyright law. Also recommended are senior associates Reindert van der Zaal and Joran Spauwen.