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Intellectual property law (IP law) is the collective term for a number of special types of property law, including tradename, trademarks, design rights, copyright and patent law. Our Dutch lawyers in the Netherlands (Amsterdam) are specialists in the field of IP/IT law and represent our client in and outside court. Thanks to our sector-based approach, our Dutch attorneys are familiar with the legal challenges of all players within the supply chain regarding IP and IT matters. This enables us to respond effectively to new regulations, to appreciate new innovations within the sector, and to have a clear picture of the interests of parties. Within each expertise, our IP-specialists in the Netherlands have years of experience and are happy to help you further.
Arnout Giekske
Remko Roosjen
Max Schwillens
Patent holders must actively monitor whether others infringe upon their patented technology. Upon discovering infringement, concrete legal steps can follow, with costs for Dutch litigation
Trade name infringement occurs when a competitor unlawfully uses your trade name or adopts a confusingly similar business name, causing customer confusion and damage to
Copyright protection in the Netherlands expires 70 years after the creator’s death, calculated from January 1st of the year following the year in which the
Intellectual property (“IP”) encompasses patents, trademarks, designs, copyrights and trade secrets. In the Netherlands and across the EU, these rights help safeguard your innovations, brand value and competitive edge. (Rijksoverheid)
If you are developing software platforms, hardware systems, machine learning and AI applications, or digital content, correctly managing IP is crucial to prevent misuse, infringement and regulatory risk.
You need an advisor who knows Dutch law and how it interfaces with EU regulation and global standards.
Your contracts and licences must comply with Netherlands-based frameworks and local courts/arbitration.
You face technology-driven issues – e.g., software licensing, hardware manufacturing supply chains, AI liability, trade secret protection – requiring a firm with IP + IT fluency.
You want not only advisory support, but also dispute resolution: litigation, arbitration or enforcement under Dutch jurisdiction.
At MAAK Advocaten we combine commercial contract expertise, IP strategy, licensing know-how and dispute skills in Dutch and international contexts.
We advise you on registration strategy, portfolio management, and enforcement of rights in the Netherlands and Benelux region. (Baker McKenzie)
Whether you’re licensing software, outsourcing hardware production, deploying an AI system or using embedded firmware, you will encounter:
software licensing terms & compliance
hardware supply-chain IP risks
algorithm ownership and data rights
interoperability, open source and proprietary code
liability for autonomous systems and AI outputs
We have experience aligning your tech model with IP, contract law and regulatory burdens.
You may need:
exclusive or non-exclusive IP licences
R&D collaboration agreements
distribution, reseller or manufacturing contracts
NDA’s, confidentiality & trade secret protection
We draft, negotiate and review agreements to protect your innovation and commercial position.
Protection of know-how, internal algorithms, manufacturing processes and business methods is vital. We advise on best practices, contractual safeguards and enforcement strategies for Dutch law.
When things go wrong – infringement claims, misuse of trade secrets, defect or product liability issues, distribution or reseller disputes – we act for you in:
summary proceedings (kort geding)
full civil actions (bodemprocedures)
arbitration before Dutch or international institutes
We aim to resolve conflicts efficiently and protect your business.
Initial review: We assess your current IP assets, contracts, tech and risk profile.
Strategy development: We help formulate an IP & technology strategy aligned with your business goals and Dutch/European regulatory environment.
Contracts & licensing: We draft or review agreements: software licences, hardware manufacturing contracts, AI service agreements, distribution deals, trade-secret clauses.
Compliance & regulatory advice: We advise you on Dutch and EU obligations (for example product liability, CE-marking, AI regulation) as they intersect with IP- and technology-driven business.
Enforcement & dispute guidance: If issues arise, we guide you on enforcement options, dispute resolution, settlement strategies and court/arbitration representation.
Ongoing support: We stay aligned with your innovation roadmap, updating you on regulatory changes and helping you secure and monetise your IP.
We offer a transparent fee structure tailored to your matter. After an initial consultation we provide a clear engagement letter setting out scope, fees and deliverables — designed to provide cost-effective value.
Yes. We advise Dutch and international companies. We approach any cross-border matter through the lens of Dutch law, European regulation and global best practice, coordinating when necessary with foreign counsel.
Urgent matters (e.g., injunctive relief, preservation of evidence, temporary measures) require immediate attention. We can act rapidly under Dutch law, including preparing for summary proceedings, and we keep you informed every step of the way.
Absolutely. From contract drafting and risk mitigation to full-scale litigation or arbitration, we provide integrated services so that your IP and IT strategy remains consistent whether in prevention or enforcement.
“Maak has a great team
that helped us very well and
are really thinking with you on
what is possible. Would for sure
chose them again in the future.”
P. Evers.
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