IP Handbook - Home
The comprehensive guide to the world's leading tax firms

At-a-glance: Netherlands Patent Office Patentlaan 2, 2288 EE Rijswijk (ZH), The Netherlands Tel: +31 70 398 66 55 Fax: +31 70 390 01 90 Email: info@octrooicentrum.nl Website: www.octrooicentrum.nl Benelux-at a glance: Trade mark office contact... [more]

Benelux-at a glance:
Trade mark office contact details
Benelux Trademarks Office, Bordewijklaan 15, NL-2591 XR Den Haag, Nederlands
Tel: +31 (0)70 349 11 11
Fax: +31 (0)70-347 57 08
Website:  www.bmb-bbm.org

There has been an increase in the success and size of boutique firms in The Netherlands in recent years. One, Hoyng Monegier, was created by the exit from Europe of US firm Howrey (it later dissolved in the US as well). Then boutiques such as SOLV, Vondst and Brinkhof have won high praise from competitors for their qualities in intellectual property.

Corporate firm De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek lost some lawyers, leading to questions about the future of full-service firms in IP. One international partner says: "A lot of big firms have decided not to continue with their own IP practices anymore. It certainly justifies being called a trend now." Another IP partner says, in reference to conflict of interest issues in bigger firms: "We have to refer eight out of every 10 cases. We think about leaving everyday to set up our own boutique."

IP team leader at Hogan Lovells, Bert Oosting, reflects that "we have always had a very strong boutique culture in the Netherlands. A lot of big law firms have tried here and failed." Nevertheless, many international firms continue to run successful practices. "The networks are really good," says one international partner. "At the end of the day, the management of our firm is good and we wouldn't have found clients in Japan and the US like we have now without the international spread."

In another trend, many firms are turning towards generic pharmaceutical companies as an important source of work as funding decreases for the innovating companies. Head of IP at Bird & Bird, Wouter Pors says: "The research and development cash is drying up and firms are looking for more work, meaning the generics are becoming significant clients."