Intellectual Property

+ 12 other experts

Our leading full-spectrum IP practice

Firmly embedded in our 150+ litigation practice, our IP team, led by Tobias Cohen Jehoram and Anne Marie Verschuur, is uniquely positioned to handle the most complex, multidisciplinary and international matters with an IP angle.

We are the only firm in the Netherlands that has the strength and capability to deal with all aspects of complex litigation cases at the highest level. We combine our Tier 1 knowledge of IP law with that of competition, contracts, private international law, tax, administrative and corporate law, arbitration, and regulatory/criminal enforcement. Our track-record speaks for itself: from pioneering cases before the European Court of Justice to playing a central role in nearly every landmark decision issued by the Dutch Supreme Court over the past decade, we consistently shape the legal landscape.

Recent Matters

30 June 2025

AkzoNobel to sell AkzoNobel India to JSW Group

De Brauw assisted Akzo Nobel N.V. on the sale of its shareholding in Akzo Nobel India Limited ("ANIL") to the JSW Group, one of India's leading diversified conglomerates. The transaction is based on a total enterprise value of approx. EUR 1.4 billion and includes AkzoNobel's liquid paints and coatings business in India. The India Powder Coatings business and International Research Center, both currently part of ANIL, will be retained by AkzoNobel under full ownership.
28 April 2025

De Brauw advises citizenM on the sale of the citizenM brand to Marriott

CitizenM is a leading hotel operator under the citizenM brand and a fully integrated global hotel real estate developer, currently operating and developing hotels in more than 20 cities in North America, Europe, and Asia. De Brauw has acted as counsel to citizenM Holding B.V., in collaboration with Kirkland & Ellis LLP, for the sale of the citizenM brand and related IP assets to Marriott Worldwide Corporation through an asset purchase agreement.
21 February 2025

Axcel acquires De Tandartsengroep from HC Partners through its portfolio company Oral Care to create Northern European dental group

De Brauw advises Axcel on the acquisition by its portfolio company Oral Care of Dutch dental care provider De Tandartsengroep from HC Partners. The acquisition will significantly expand Oral Care’s presence in the Netherlands and marks another step in its aspirations in becoming a leading dental care group in Northern Europe.

This is the go-to team for IP litigation in the Netherlands. Enormously experienced, tough litigators whilst at the same time a pleasure to deal with. A highly motivated, hand-picked team of bright minds. The best strategists you can get in the Dutch market.

Legal500 testimonials, 2025
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THE PATENT LITIGATION FIRM OF CHOICE

Our patent practice is defined by its focus on complex, cutting-edge, multi-jurisdictional patent litigation. We are the firm of choice for numerous multi-nationals seeking to coordinate and execute their European patent strategies.

With decades of experience litigating high-stakes patent cases at the highest levels, we are well-positioned to represent clients before the Unified Patent Court - where we currently have several actions pending. From our team of over 150 litigators, we assemble besproke teams that combine deep expertise in patent law, technical disciplines and complex litigation, so that we can offer the strongest dedicated litigation teams, and where appropriate we also integrate foreign-qualified lawyers.

Unified Patent Court

Beyond litigation, our patent practice offers include a comprehensive suite of patent-related services. These include strategic patent advice, advice on validity and infringement, on ownership and inventorship issues, and licensing. We are also frequently engaged in matters where IP law intersects with other legal domains - such as competition law (including FRAND issues, state aid, and competition law defenses in patent litigation) and regulatory frameworks (covering pharmaceutical advertising, product liability, and food and health claims).

Our life sciences practice is robust, encompassing the full spectrum of legal services in this sector. We advise on IP strategy and litigation, as well as corporate transactions such as M&A, financing rounds, and IPOs - particularly for biotech companies. Our team also handles complex licensing transactions, often with a global reach.

A commanding presence in IP litigation, De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek are veterans of victory, consistently entrusted as one of the go-to outfits in dealing with cross-border patent cases of the highest difficulty. “De Brauw is a top-notch firm with a high-standing reputation nationally, offering one of the strongest patent teams on the Dutch markets.” The breadth and diversity of the group’s talent has meant its involvement in UPC cases, including a high-profile litigation case representing Ocado.

IAM Patent 1000, 2025

De Brauw have a very good understanding of what we need. I am impressed by their quality, and the team are very easy to connect with and good at following up.

Chambers Global testimonials by Patent respondents, 2025
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THE SOFT IP LITIGATION FIRM OF CHOICE

Our soft IP practice covers all aspects of soft IP. We are highly experienced in litigation and strategic advice involving trademarks, copyrights, design rights, databases and trade secrets. We also regularly deal with matters relating to trade name rights, slavish imitation, and advertising law. We are the only full-spectrum IP practice at a premium full-service firm in the Netherlands, and we handle complicated cross-disciplinary disputes and brand-rich deals.

De Brauw offers highly efficient litigation skills and creative negotiation strategies

Chambers Global testimonials by General- Mostly trademark/copyright respondents, 2025
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EXPERTS IN TRADE SECRETS

Our in-house and technical expertise enables us to provide strategic advice on the value of and protection of trade secrets across a wide range of scenarios - whether the dispute involves employee, business collaborations, or cybercrime. Our Employment practice also advises on allegation of misappropriation by former employees while our extensive experience with regulatory and criminal enforcement is critical when gathering evidence to establish trade secret theft. Our unparalleled experience with the regulatory and criminal enforcement measures is critical when gathering evidence to establish misappropriation. When misappropriation involves digitally stored information, our Privacy, Data & Cybersecurity expert provide in-depth guidance, particularly in cases arising from inter-company collaborations. This integrated, cross-disciplinary approach ensures that clients receive comprehensive support in protecting and enforcing their trade secrets.


De Brauw provides the highest-calibre legal counsel, offering sophisticated, nuanced advocacy and representation. The commercially-savvy team consistently strikes the right balance, fully understanding whether the engine needs to be shifted into first gear or fifth gear for any particular matter.

Legal500 testimonials, 2025
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IP AS AN IMPORTANT ASSET

This part of our practice is dedicated to the intersection of IP and commercial agreements. We advise on, draft, and negotiate a wide range of IP-related agreements – including licensing, collaboration, and technology transfer agreements. Our team also conducts IP due diligence in M&A transactions, advises on proprietary aspects of IP under property law, and helps structure IP portfolios for optimal legal and commercial outcomes.

We represent clients in IP-driven transactions across jurisdictions and support them in development, commercialization, and global exploitation of their IP rights. Our expertise also extends to advising on bankruptcy-related risks, particularly in relation to licensing arrangements and IP ownership.

During this years Managing IP Awards Gala our team was granted the title "Netherlands IP Transactions & Advisory Firm of the Year for the fifth time in a row. We view this award as a tribute to the high-quality cross-expertise work we deliver as a full-service firm.

Tobias Cohen JehoramPartner