Maarten Haak is an experienced litigator with a focus on trademarks, product design, unfair competition and related contracts. Clients name Maarten "a true strategist who combines business and legal perspectives" (Chambers) and recommend him “for any must-win case” (Legal500). Previously, Maarten served as a deputy judge in the Court of Appeal of Arnhem-Leeuwarden, which allows him to put himself well in the judge's perspective.
Maarten is an editor of the leading Dutch IP journal Berichten Industriële Eigendom and regularly publishes and speaks on procedural law and intellectual property.
What others say
“Maarten Haak is a true strategist in difficult litigation. I admire him for his knowledge about procedural rules in lawsuits, which he takes pride to use to his advantage. Maarten can break difficult matters down in clear language. He dares to give a clear risk assessment which makes the discussion with the business so much easier.”
“Maarten Haak has everything I search for in a modern lawyer. He is a crystal clear communicator (able to explain any complex matter in a simple way), and a brilliant and creative litigator. I can recommend him for any must-win case. He has a good commercial sense, too.”
“Maarten Haak heads a ‘dream team’ that undertakes complex litigation in respect of trade marks, designs, copyright, and unlawful advertising, in addition to a range of contractual matters.”
“Maarten Haak acts for a varied clientele, encompassing fashion, retail and sport, on trade mark disputes. Clients describe him as ‘an extremely smart, strategic, thorough and business-savvy lawyer’ and also appreciate his transparency, one saying: ‘I also like his honest approach, always giving the full picture.’”
““Heavy-hitters in the fashion, design, luxury goods, retail and food industries call on the strategic counselling and litigation skills of Maarten Haak, a popular trademark, copyright, designs and unfair competition specialist. He is exactly what you want in the modern lawyer – practical and able to advise from both business and legal perspectives.””
“Strategic sage Maarten Haak heads the team and distinguishes himself in challenging litigation briefs: ‘he has great legal knowledge and is also a fluent communicator.’ As a former judge, he can weigh up the probability of success in each case.”
Recent work
Acting for a fashion company against a European retailer in cross border trademark infringement proceedings.
Representing a plaintiff in an arbitration on the use and valuation of know how.
Enforcing IP rights in the product design of an iconic lamp (copyright, design, unfair competition) and related damages.
Drafting and negotiating license and distribution agreements.
Acting for a hospital chain in a cross border action on trademark and tradename rights.
Acting in oppositions, cancellation and invalidity actions before EUIPO and BOIP; and in appeal cases before the EU Court of Justice and the Benelux Court of Justice.
Arranging for an ex parte injunction and a pre-trial attachment of evidence.
Advising on parallel import of fast moving consumer goods.
Taking action against counterfeit products (anti-piracy).
Representing a global brand in an arbitration on an agency agreement.
Maarten has registered intellectual property as his principal legal practice area in the Netherlands Bar’s register of legal practice areas (rechtsgebiedenregister). Based on this registration, he is required to obtain ten training credits per calendar year in this principal legal practice area in accordance with the standards set by the Netherlands Bar.