Intellectual property

In a world in which barriers are disappearing and people, capital, information and products move around the planet with increasing ease, the protection of industrial and intellectual property is a key priority. The use of information that has been stored within patents is essential for a knowledge economy such as that of the Netherlands. In an open global economy, NL Patent Office - an agency of the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs - is working to make the Netherlands an enterprising and innovative nation.

NL Patent Office ensures that companies, knowledge institutions, authorities and inventors:

• Are able to easily apply for patents in order to protect their technological invention (the patenting organisation).
• Receive information regarding the patenting system and are able to use patents as a source of information and inspiration (the Knowledge Centre).
• Are represented in European and global organisations in the field of industrial property (the representative).

More information:

• Netherlands Patent Office
• Benelux Office for Intellectual Property