Media

The media and IP team at Kennedy Van der Laan stands out for its expertise in internet-related litigation, defamation, copyright and media regulation. Its client roster includes top Dutch and international TV and radio broadcasters, production companies, newspapers, magazine and book publishers, social media companies and political parties. Head of practice Jens van den Brink is a media litigator with a focus on matters relating to free speech, copyright and digital issues. Counsel Christien Wildeman handles defamation and copyright litigation.

Practice head(s): Jens van den Brink
Other key lawyers: Joran Spauwen; Christien Wildeman

Jens van den Brink

• ‘The team is able to dismantle complex problems, strip it to the core and provide very clear advice on the best way to act’.
• ‘Compared to other firms, Kennedy Van der Laan’s partners and lawyers are very personal in their contact’.
• ‘Christien Wildeman and Jens van den Brink, who do most of my cases, are very energetic and engaged and will take their time to discuss cases’.

The media practice benefits from a varied clientele of publishers, newspapers, broadcasters and digital media companies to attract roles on a range of often highly publicised disputes, including advertising disputes. Acts on a variety of data protection mandates, spanning from compliance to investigation proceedings involving sensitive personal data.

One client enthuses that the "service is top" and particularly highlights the team's "in-depth knowledge."

Another declares that the team "fully understands our business and the problems we face with our customers - the lawyers speak our language."

Represented Mediahuis, as publisher of NRC Handelsblad, in a privacy dispute concerning the right to publish the name of a high-profile individual.

Christien Wildeman has extensive experience assisting Dutch publishers and newspapers with publication disputes, as well as with privacy questions and criminal law matters. She also handles misleading advertising disputes. One client hails her as an "excellent lawyer and a great team player."

Jens van den Brink is regarded as "one of the top lawyers in this area." He maintains a broad media practice encompassing advertising litigation, piracy claims and requests to remove documentary productions, as well as non-contentious matters, such as contractual negotiations and establishing new broadcast companies. One client calls him "the go-to lawyer for media cases."

At Kennedy Van der Laan, Jens van den Brink litigates on behalf of national and international media companies, often at the intersection of IP, privacy, and free speech. He also regularly handles entertainment law issues, varying from image rights to format and licensing issues. Emiel Jurjens provides expert advice on media regulation to Dutch and international online platforms. Counsel Christien Wildeman, who has a strong focus on defamation cases, is also recommended.

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.

‘Extremely professional and well organised’

‘Alfred Meijboom and Jens van den Brink are both excellent lawyers’

The media practice benefits from a varied clientele of publishers, newspapers, broadcasters and digital media companies to attract roles on a range of often highly-publicised disputes.

Clients describe Jens van den Brink as a "keen litigator and adviser." He maintains a broad media practice encompassing prominent regulatory litigation, documentary production and unlawful publication cases.

Christien Wildeman has extensive experience assisting Dutch publishers and newspapers with headline-grabbing unlawful publication disputes. She also handles misleading advertising disputes and media regulatory matters for leading players in the media and telecoms sector.

Kennedy Van der Laan 'has a full spectrum of media knowledge' and a 'clear understanding of ethical issues in media reporting and the EU regulations protecting press reporting'. Team head Jens Van den Brink 'is a smart negotiator and his strategic advice is outstanding. His team brings all aspects you might seek in a media desk. All are great to work with'. Emiel Jurjens is also well rated, especially on account of his track record of winning cases. Counsel Christien Wildeman acts for De Persgroep and is known for her defamation expertise. The team acted for NOS, RTL, and De Persgroep in proceedings before the European Court of Human Rights concerning access to state-held information on the MH17 plane crash.

The ‘no-nonsense’ team at Kennedy Van der Laan is led by Jens van den Brink, who along with counsel Christien Wildeman ‘dominates the Dutch media litigation landscape’. Defamation and internet-related litigation are particular strengths. De Persgroep and Facebook are longstanding clients; Vodafone-Ziggo is a recent client.

Chambers and Partners published its European rankings for 2018. The media practice is particularly experienced in defamation, copyright and internet litigation.

Clients praise the media team's quick response times and add that its expertise goes beyond legislation, with one describing it as "extremely specialised with a lot of media knowledge."

Represented KRO-NCRV in high-profile defamation proceedings against Ryanair, relating to claims made about the airline during the broadcast of one of KRO's investigative journalism productions.

Jens van den Brink specialises in contentious issues and defamation cases. According to clients, he is "very effective, and knows his business and his clients," adding that he "knows when to push harder and when to seek for a practical solution." He typically acts for broadcasters, newspapers and publishers and has advised GS Media on its defence against several recent damages claims brought against the company.

The "very talented" Christien Wildeman offers a range of expertise regarding media law. She is particularly active on damages and litigation cases, frequently representing newspapers and publishers and defending Newspaper de Volkskrant against various privacy and defamation claims of late.