On 5 November, we organized a new edition of our basic course on patents, trademarks and designs. This one-day basic course, under the name IP Academy, was held in our The Hague office and was particularly aimed at innovative entrepreneurs who are still relatively unfamiliar with IP. The participants were explained practical aspects of IP and learned the basic concepts, how to read a patent and what possibilities IP offers. The day ended with a joint game in which IP was put into practice. 
As an extension of the basic course, the IP Academy also offered an advanced course. This was also held in The Hague, on 10 December. The target group included IP managers and executives who already have the necessary practical experience.
Please refer to our website for more information. 

Since 1 December, our office on the High Tech Campus Eindhoven (HTCE) has moved to a brand new location elsewhere on the HTCE: Lucis One (HTC 91), part of the sustainable expansion of the Campus. V.O. has been present for 18 years within this, as HTCE itself describes it, “smartest square kilometer in Europe.” There is no place in the Netherlands where as many patent applications are filed as there. We therefore feel like a fish in the water on campus, providing IP services in all technology areas.

In our previous accommodation in Building 84, the occupancy experienced substantial growth. That growth can continue in Lucis One, which is more spacious and lighter in its design. Furthermore, it is very easily accessible to both fellow HTCE residents and customers from the surrounding regions. It has its own highway exit and more than enough parking in the immediate area. Feel free to come take a look at our new workplace!

Since 17 October, V.O. is proud to call itself ‘Netherlands Patent Attorney Firm of the Year'. On behalf of our firm, Sjoerd Postma and Marijke Westra received this honorable award from IAM and WTR in London, where all winners of the 2024 Global IP Award were announced.

The Global IP Awards, launched in 2019, recognize and reward the work of patent and trademark offices in prosecution, litigation and transactions.

Our firm regularly attends international meetings of IP professional and stakeholder organizations. In October, for example, the annual world congress of AIPPI (Association Internationale pour la Protection de la Propriété Intellectuelle) took place in Hangzhou, China. AIPPI is a leading global non-profit organization dedicated to developing and improving intellectual property protection laws.

In attendance on behalf of our firm were Jasper Groot Koerkamp and Martin Klok. As an IP service provider, it is important for us and our clients to be present at such events. At AIPPI, thousands of international experts formulate generally shared views on improvements to IP law, or proposed IP law. Such a proposal from AIPPI is seriously considered by governments, judges and patent granting bodies such as the EPO. Among other things, 2024 set out a view on the requirements for patent applicants to disclose previously published work related to the invention to patent granting bodies, and the consequences of failing to do so. If it were to become law in this area, it would directly impact our clients. 

Onder de naam IP Academy starten we weer met gloednieuwe versies van de twee IE-cursussen Basic en Advanced. De Basic cursus staat gepland op 5 november en de Advanced cursus op 10 december 2024.

In de Basic cursus komen met name de inhoud en reikwijdte van de diverse vormen van IE-bescherming aan de orde, wordt ingegaan op octrooionderzoek, het lezen van octrooiconclusies en de meeste relevante procedures.

Voor wie al enige ervaring heeft met IE is de Advanced cursus interessant. Hierin wordt ingegaan op zaken als strategie, juridische documenten zoals NDA’s, handhaving van auteurs- en merkenrecht en portefeuille-opbouw.

Data: 5 november (Basic) en 10 december (Advanced).
Locatie: V.O. kantoor Den Haag