Bird & Bird

Intellectual property

Manon is a partner in Bird & Bird’s Intellectual Property Group and she leads the brand management team in the Netherlands.

As an experienced litigator, Manon specialises in trademark, design, copyright and advertising, and has a particular focus on cases involving product design. She handles cases in front of the courts as well as many proceedings at the Benelux trademark office and EUIPO.

Many of the contentious matters Manon is working on have an international angle and over the years, she has developed a particular experience in pan-European enforcement strategies of trademarks and designs, including customs and parallel import enforcement strategies.

Apart from contentious work, Manon’s practice also provides global strategic advice on IP rights, and the protection and registration of trademark and design portfolios. Manon and her team offer cradle-to grave trademark services, thereby combining the experience in both contentious and non-contentious matters.

Manon assists many businesses in the retail sector, including the world's best known brands. Working in the sector and heading the Dutch retail group and the international luxury, fashion and retail team gives her a good understanding of the industry and the issues impacting it.

Manon has been included in the top 250 women in IP (2020, MIP), won the Best in Trade Marks award by Women in Business Law Awards 2020 and was shortlisted for their Best in Copyright award in 2020.

Manon started her career in 1999 at the Dutch firm NautaDutilh. She joined Bird & Bird in 2004 and was made a partner in 2010. Manon has been an active member of various committees, of INTA, MARQUES and AIPPI.

Dutch, English and German

• INTA (member of Anti-counterfeiting committee) • AIPPI (member of Standing Committee on Piracy and Counterfeiting) • MARQUES • Benelux Trademark and Design Association (BMM) • Dutch Association for Copyright Law (VvA) • Dutch Advertising Law Association (VvRr). • Dutch Association for IP Litigators (VIEPA)

Manon studied in Nijmegen, NL and in Stockholm, Sweden and attended a postgraduate programme in Germany for which she received a scholarship of the DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service). Manon was admitted to the bar in 1999.