Bert-Jan van den Akker

Bert-Jan has been a lawyer since 1998, specializing from the start in Intellectual Property (IP) Law and Media & Entertainment Law. Between 2007 and 2010, he stepped into the corporate world as IP Counsel at G-Star International in Amsterdam. In 2012, he co-founded DOEN Legal together with Esther Brons-Stikkelbroeck.

As a founding partner at DOEN Legal, Bert-Jan is a passionate IP lawyer with over 25 years of experience. He advises and litigates on trademarks, trade names, copyrights, and design rights. His clients include companies in the fashion, design, and cosmetics industries, as well as artists and content creators. Known for his creativity, dedication, and decisiveness, Bert-Jan always keeps the commercial angle in mind — thanks to his business background — and makes sure his work genuinely adds value for his clients.

More about Bert-Jan

Bert-Jan studied Dutch Law at Leiden University (1992–1998) and completed the prestigious Grotius specialization course in Benelux, European, and International Trademark Law in 2003.

His work covers a wide range of topics: design and trademark protection, advertising regulations, music contracts, infringement issues, contract law, portrait rights, tort law, and licensing agreements.

Bert-Jan is an active member of several professional organizations, including the Benelux Association for Trademark and Design Law (BMM), AIPPI, VIEPA, MARQUES, and INTA.

He has taught Intellectual Property Law at the Juridische Academie and Studie in de Stad and currently lectures at the Martens Academy. Over the years, Bert-Jan has held several board positions and currently serves as a board member of Stichting Homemade Productions and the Van Tellingen-Pul Stichting, and as chairman of Stichting Goedemorgen Theaterproducties.