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The Legal 500 Series comments:
 
Since its inception at the beginning of 2005, Brinkhof has made a considerable impact on the Dutch IP market and has already built up a formidable portfolio of clients including Apple, Canon, Unilever and Novartis. The group has a focus on patent disputes and life sciences, and includes some leading individuals in these fields including former Hague Appeal Court vice-president Jan Brinkhof, US-trained litigator Richard Ebbink and Arnold Versteeg. The firm successfully defended the supermarket chain, Albert Heijn, against high-profile trade mark infringement allegations by Unilever.

In an area of law which has experienced a significant degree of lateral movement, De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek's IP team has remained remarkably stable. Constant van Nispen has 'excellent procedural knowledge and vast experience' and is part of a highly regarded patent litigation team that includes Simon Dack and Jan Pieter Hustinx, both of whom were recently promoted to partner. The firm recently acted for Johnson & Johnson in both its EPO patent litigation and its patent dispute with Schneider. A strong copyright practice is involved in a number of Supreme Court hearings including representing Endemol in a dispute with Bob Geldof's Castaway. Tobias Cohen Jehoram is recommended for trade mark advice.

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer's IP group offers contentions and non-contentious expertise across a range of patent, trade mark and copyright issues. The group has reported growth in marketing and trade mark-related litigation. Recent highlights include advising Quicksilver in global trade mark infringement proceedings and Casema in a comparative advertising dispute with rival cable company, KPN. The team has further broadened its scope with the recent launch of a trade mark portfolio management practice. A strong patents practice benefits from close working arrangements with the London and Dusseldorf offices, and frequently coordinates international patent proceedings. Peter Hendrick is a well-known patent litigator.

The Amsterdam office of US-based IP firm, Howrey LLP continues to flourish. William Hyung heads the four-partner team that has a strong patent focus. Hyung himself has been involved in several landmark cases and is litigation counsel to several national and multinational pharmaceutical and biotech companies. The firm often works in close collaboration with its US office in multi-jurisdictional litigation.

Klos Morel Vos & Schaap has quickly established a reputation in the market as a soft IP practice of the highest order. Name partner Sven Klos receives plaudits from his peers.

Lovells has a strong pharmaceutical practice and is currently instructed by Merck in relation to a patent infringement case against generic drug manufacturer, TEVA. Klaas Bisschop is representing Philips in a comparative advertising dispute with Dyson, concerning vacuum cleaners. Bert Oosting is highly recommended.

Simmons & Simmons has a more rounded practice following the recent recruitment of trade mark and advertising partner, Willem Leppink. Leppink is instructed by Harley-Davidson on trade mark infringement issues and is advising Wilkinson Sword in its comparative advertising litigation with Gillette. Severin de Wit has an excellent reputation for patent litigation and is frequently involved in disputes with an international dimension. The team works closely with the firm's customs department, to offer clients an invaluable pan-European border-detention service.

Allen & Overy LLP has been involved in high-profile comparative advertising disputes on behalf of KPN, UPC and ANWB. Department head Paul Reeskamp has a contentious focus across a broad range of IP matters including patents and trade marks.

Baker & McKenzie is executing notable anti-counterfeiting operations for two major IT companies. Department head Alexander Odle is 'very hands on and reacts extremely quickly', say clients. Odle is ably assisted by Reina Weening, who offers expertise in trade mark litigation and copyright, design rights and comparative advertising. Weening also heads the burgeoning patents practice.

BarentsKrans has a focus on patent litigation, increasingly with an international flavour. Marleen van den Horst has a strong reputation for patent and regulatory work in the pharmeucitical industry.

At Bird & Bird, Wouter Pors heads an IP team, that in unison with its European network, specialises in providing multi-jurisdictional contentious advice, particularly in relation to trade mark and patent disputes. Clients include Honeywell, Richemont and Hoffman-La Roche.

Headed by Willem Hoorneman, CMS Derks Star Busmann's IP team has a focus on trade mark and patent litigation in the pharmaceutical field. Janneke Craaikamp has a strong life sciences practice.

Jeroen Ouwehand heads a team at Clifford Chance that has a soft IP focus. Recent highlights include advising Endemol Internaional in relation to multi-jurisdictional litigation over IP infringements of the Big Brother format. Clients include Tele2, AOL and eBay.

The 'responsive and pragmatic' Kennedy Van Der Laan offers extensive IP knowledge to an impressive range of clients that includes Heinz, Yahoo! and Microsoft. Alfred Meijboom garners respect from clients in particular for his contentious IP and brand protection/anti-counterfeiting work.

NautaDutilh's Charles Gielen has an excellent reputation as a trade mark litigator. Gielen recently succesfully represented DuPont de Nemours in the highly-publicised TEFLON case.

IP boutique Steinhauser Hoogenraad, Advocaten has a focus on advertising.

At AKD Prinsen Van Wijmen N.V. department head, Ernst Jan-Louwers is representing Texas Instruments in an anti-counterfeit case.

Aided by its international network, DLA SchutGrosheide has been involved in a number of anti-counterfeiting matters, including advising the Lance Armstrong Foundation with regard to counterfeit wristbands, LIVESTRONG. The firm also successfully obtained an injunction on behalf of KPN in its comparative advertising dispute with Vodafone.

Greenberg Traurig LLP's Annette Mak has a burgeoning reputation and has been involved in a number of trade mark disputes for multinational clients.

Kneppelhout & Korthals' Kees Capel has a focus in patent law, particularly in the fields of food, beverages and agriculture.

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