IP & IT
We deal with IT contracts and licensing agreements on a daily basis, which is why we are able to solve any issues currently pending, as well as prevent future ones from cropping up. We always keep a close eye on privacy laws and will always look for workable solutions to deal with them in the right way.
Assisting authors and their representatives looking to have their rights protected, we also come to the aid of businesses looking for the right legal framework to house the use of their products and services, or companies that might have questions about doing business in the digital age. We are able to advise on the best ways of protecting your ideas, plans and products and can help draft and negotiate the contracts that will match your needs. Letting us take care of this will save you time, money and energy.
And should matters need to be taken to court, we’ll also be there to fight the good fight on your behalf. You won’t find us taken aback by complex cases about the big issues. Over the years, we have built up a vast array of experience in setting up and implementing cost-efficient enforcement strategies.
We also assist international clients and businesses by employing our individual networks to also offer them specialist expertise abroad. These international networks enable us to swiftly retain attorneys in a large number of foreign countries.
Chambers Europe en Global 2023 about the team:
Höcker Advocaten has a strong focus on advising media sector clients on copyright infringement proceedings and disputes around copyright levies. The law firm also represents clients in moral rights litigation. The team additionally assists with advertising matters, as well as anti-counterfeiting and anti-piracy measures. It has experience acting for collecting societies and artist associations.
Strengths
“The depth of the team’s analysis of complex matters and understanding of the modern technology and online environment is very good.”
“The lawyers are very precise and think things through thoroughly.”
Legal 500 2021 about the team:
The ‘rigorous, reliable experts‘ at Höcker Advocaten are praised in respect of the collective management of IP rights, specifically copyright protection and enforcement. Team head Jacqueline (J.M.B.) Seignette is chair of the Dutch Copyright Association and her work is typified by the representation of Stitching LIRA in proceedings against Dutch cable operators Ziggo and Delta. Joep (J.W.A.) Meddens’ work includes cases concerning copies for private use stored in the cloud or for streaming services which should be equitably remunerated as part of the private copying levies system. Litigator Marijn (M.E.) Kingma handles cases including those that reach the European Court of Justice; acting for clients including NGOs and broadcasters, she advises on privacy, contractual matters, trade mark issues and copyright infringement.
Clients say “I have the ability to refer lawyers to my best clients in all of the areas covered by this questionnaire. I know many high-quality Dutch law firms, but it is to Hocker that I have been loyal for many years.”
“I recommend this team, which is expert in all my areas of intervention and expertise concerned. It helps me enormously to be able to serenely recommend loyal, rigorous, reliable experts to my best clients.”
“The team is very strong in the field of copyright protection and enforcement, especially in the area of collective management and liability of platforms. The lawyers are accessible and pleasant to work with.”
Our specialists
Copyright Law / Database Law
Copyright and database protection allow the creator or the investor to reap the rewards of their efforts or the risk they took. We help our clients do that. If need be, we'll go to trial to protect their interests, but we also strive to obtain the best result on their behalf in negotiations on exploitation agreements. We represent collective management organisations, international entertainment companies, but also represent artists, musicians, authors and architects.
Trademark & Design Law
The (international) rights holders we represent benefit from the years of experience we have amassed in protecting their trademarks and designs. We take a particular interest in that respect in preventing and combating the trading in and the importing of infringing illegal copies.
IT
Be they suppliers or users, all businesses have to deal with IT nowadays. We will assist you as you negotiate your contracts with your business partners, suppliers and customers. We will advise you on how to arrange the digital services you'll be offering and how to protect your products and services during a transaction. We have a great deal of experience in drafting and negotiating agreements that will protect those things most important to you and which will stand the test of time.
E-commerce
Nowadays contracts are increasingly being concluded digitally. We can help you manage the ever-increasing legislation you are asked to meet to do business on-line. For example, we regularly draft contracts and terms and conditions for our clients that provide on-line services, such as software developers and travel agencies.
Privacy
The importance of privacy is on the rise in modern society. Nearly every business processes personal data, but not all of them know how they should be handled. We have a wealth of experience in advising clients on privacy matters and would love to help you become compliant with the rules governing it in a way that is practical to you. In doing so, we will, of course plan ahead for the requirements laid down in the General Data Protection Regulation.