N.M. Bakker

I am Niek Bakker, attorney at Bout Advocaten in Groningen. My practice focuses on civil matters, with a particular focus on intellectual property (IP) law – including trademark law, copyright law and trade name law – as well as IT law, media law and privacy law.

Business owners and individuals turn to me for a variety of legal issues, including legal advice on:

• Brand Protection
• Disputes over (product) design
• Drafting and reviewing (software) contracts
• Legal advice on press and advertising matters
• AVG advice and privacy compliance

Accessible and targeted advice

Clients appreciate my accessible and goal-oriented approach. I make legal complexities understandable and translate them into concrete and workable solutions. As a pragmatic and reliable contact, I always seek a result that does justice to both my client’s interests and broader strategy.

Experience and specialization

Before joining Bout Advocaten in 2021, I worked as a corporate lawyer and legal advisor at a consulting firm specializing in ICT and privacy law. This practical experience forms the basis of my legal knowledge at the intersection of technology and law, and gives me a keen insight into the daily reality of entrepreneurs and organizations.

Since joining the firm, I have continued to specialize in intellectual property and procedural law, including through the specialization course at the Mr. S.K. Martens Academy.

Scope of work: nationwide and international

Although I am based in Groningen, my practice is national as well as international. I advise and litigate throughout the Netherlands and also handle cross-border disputes. Examples include proceedings before courts and tribunals in the Netherlands, domain name arbitration in Belgium or Germany or opposition and cancellation proceedings at BOIP and EUIPO. My clients range from innovative start-ups to international companies, including a European platform for car sales and a leading chemical company with activities in several countries.

Training

• IP and Litigation Specialization Course in Commercial Practice – Mr. S.K. Martens Academy (deLex)
• Professional training of lawyers – Dutch Bar Association
• AI in practice – ICT Law Academy
• Master’s degree in Law and ICT – University of Groningen
• Bachelor of Dutch Law (IT law specialization) – University of Groningen

Ancillary activities

• Board member External – Young Bar Association Groningen-Assen
• Member of the Advisory Board – IT Legal Advice Groningen
• Chairman – Rotaract Groningen
• Member – Association for Intellectual Property / AIPPI
• Member – Dutch Association for Information Technology and Law (NVvIR)
• Member – Livehebbers business club of Eurosonic Noorderslag (focused on the music industry)
• Member – Forum Business Club (focused on arts, culture and innovation)