The team at DLA Piper advises its extensive roster of well-known and sector-spanning clients on the gamut of soft IP matters. The team’s broad workload encompasses advising on trade mark enforcement and portfolio maintenance, which is the area of specialism of Sophie Gauquier, and the handling of trade mark disputes, which Alexander Tsoutsanis covers, particularly for clients in relation to branding, tech and internet. Rutger Stoop handles advertising, trade mark, domain name and product design issues. Niels Mulder helms the practice and is experienced litigating at high levels of court on multijurisdictional disputes.

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Key clients

  • AACS
  • AEGIR Marine
  • Airvance International B.V.
  • Amaro Montenegro
  • Bacardi
  • Battipav
  • Black + Decker
  • Burberry
  • Carlsberg
  • Capri Sun
  • CowParade International
  • De Nederlandsche Bank N.V.
  • Diageo
  • Edrington
  • Ferragamo
  • Glen Dimplex
  • Glock
  • Harman
  • Hikvision
  • Jack Daniels Properties Inc.
  • Krakatau
  • Matthews International
  • Media-Concept (Prindo)
  • Moët & Hennessy c.s.
  • Moncler
  • Nike / Converse
  • Nikon
  • Ocean Outdoor
  • OLX
  • OV1509: Ondernemersvereniging De Zaanse Schans
  • P.K. Benelux
  • Papa John’s
  • Pernod Ricard
  • Polo / Ralph Lauren
  • Premier League
  • Prosus/Naspers
  • Q-Tech BV
  • Rakuten
  • Ravensburger
  • React
  • Renault
  • Rituals
  • Sakata
  • Shell International B.V.
  • Smartwares
  • Spin Master
  • Taishan Group
  • Taxolutions
  • The Football Association Premier League Limited
  • The Pokemon Company
  • Nintendo
  • The Social Gaming Group
  • TV Entertainment Reality Network
  • Unilever Nederland N.V.
  • World Freight Company SAS

Work highlights

  • Obtained a favourable judgment for the client against bonded warehouse Loendersloot and the Van Caem Group in a complex trade mark infringement case concerning the sale of decoded MHCS products.
  • Represented global toy companies in their attack on Toi Toy’s copycat version of our clients’ successful ‘Doctor Squish’ Squishy Maker product, which resulted in the seizure of over 40,000 products.
  • Secured a favourable decision for Nike/Converse from the District Court of the Hague in 2023 in long-running proceedings against and infringer that had imported at least 800,000 pairs of counterfeit shoes.

Lawyers

Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Niels Mulder

Other key lawyers

Rutger Stoop, Alexander Tsoutsanis, Sophie Gauquier, Adee Keppy