Thijs van Aerde
Expertise

Thijs specialises in intellectual property law, with a focus on copyright and trademark rights. His clients include collecting societies and companies in various sectors, including entertainment, perfume & cosmetics, consumer electronics, pharmaceuticals, and mobility. Thijs is president of the specialisation association VIEPA, editor of the journal Copyright and a member of the international Programme Committee of AIPPI. He is ranked in The Legal 500 (Leading Partner), Chambers, IAM Patent and WTR.
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Work highlights
- Pictoright v. Meta (2024): plaintiff's merits proceedings re the mandatory license under article 17 of the Digital Single Market Directive for copyrighted material on Facebook and Instagram
- BumaStemra v. Disney (2024): defence proceedings against Disney's exhibition claim for licensing contracts between BumaStemra and other streaming providers (eg Netflix, Apple)
- BumaStemra v. ABMD (2024): plaintiff's cassation proceedings before the Dutch Supreme Court re alleged abuse of dominance
- Amnesty International v. State (2021, 2023): plaintiff's class action in first instance and on appeal against the State re ethnic profiling by the Dutch Royal Military Police
- Notino Benelux v. Silk Cosmetics (2020, 2021): defence proceedings in first instance and on appeal re the application of the evidence rule on exhaustion of trademark rights from CJEU Van Doren/Lifestyle
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What others say
- 'Thijs van Aerde is excellent in translating our arguments to the Supreme Court.'
The Legal 500, 2024 - 'Exceptionally well-organised, non-intrusive and supportive, with flexible communication times and channels.'
The Legal 500, 2024 - 'Extremely knowledgeable in the areas of law needed. Innovative and creative, thinking both legally legally and commercially.'
The Legal 500, 2024 - 'Thijs van Aerde has a notable reputation for handling soft IP matters before the Dutch Supreme Court. He advises clients on trade mark disputes, trade name litigation and contentious copyright proceedings.'
Chambers 2024
- 'Thijs van Aerde is excellent in translating our arguments to the Supreme Court.'
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Qualifications
Thijs graduated from the Rijksuniversiteit Groningen and was admitted to the bar in 2007. Thijs is also admitted to the Supreme Court bar.
Languages: Dutch, English, German (passive), French (passive)
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Publications
- Collectieve acties in het auteursrecht, ATR 2024/3, 29-8-2024
- Te laat! Over verjaring en rechtsverwerking in het merkenrecht, BMM 2023/2, 20-12-2023
- Transformatie van stoffelijke objecten onderworpen aan intellectuele-eigendomsrechten, IER 2022/11, 25-3-2022
- Richtsnoeren betreffende platformaansprakelijkheid: een goedbedoelde maar vergeefse poging houvast te bieden bij de toepassing van artikel 17 DSM-richtlijn, ATR 2021/5, 7-9-2021
- Platformaansprakelijkheid: de saga gaat verder, ATR 2021/2, 7-9-2021