About Me

I am a partner in the Intellectual Property Group based in Amsterdam, with a focus on technology-related matters, in particular patents and trade secrets.

I advise and litigate for clients in among others the life sciences, technology & communications and energy & utilities sectors. I have extensive experience in high-end multi-jurisdictional patent disputes before national courts, at the EPO and in the Unified Patent Court.

I am a UPC representative and am currently representing clients in five cases before the UPC in Europe (which are publicly listed in the UPC register):
- Lead representative for Dexcom as defendant in UPC proceedings against Abbott before the Local Division in The Hague regarding continuous glucose monitoring devices
- Lead representative Dexcom as defendant in UPC proceedings against Abbott before the Nordic Baltic Regional Division in Stockholm regarding continuous glucose monitoring devices
- Representative for Maxeon Solar as claimant in UPC proceedings against AIKO before the Local Division of Dusseldorf regarding solar panels
- Lead representative for BSRP as defendant in UPC proceedings against HL Display before the Local Division in The Hague regarding a product in the retail sector
- Representative for KPN as claimant in UPC proceedings against Oppo before the Local Division in The Hague regarding a SEP case concerning mobile phones

I have acted for both opponents and patentees as co-counsel in EPO opposition proceedings. I have also represented clients in contractual disputes, including contractual litigation involving milestone claims in the life sciences sector and in arbitration proceedings regarding IP warranties.

I regularly advise clients on IP strategy and on technology-driven M&A deals including in the venture technology field.

My work has been recognised by rankings over the past years in Chambers Global & Europe, Legal 500 and in 2020 and 2022 by receiving the Client Choice Award for Intellectual Property - Patents in the Netherlands.
Experience
  • US life sciences company: advised on freedom to operate aspects of a digital health solution.
  • Dutch biotech emerging growth company: advised on IP aspects of series-B funding by venture technology investors.
  • Dutch startups: strategically advising on aspects of their own IP position (patents and trade secrets) as well as freedom to operate.
Cases
  • US life sciences company in the medical devices and digital health: representing in two UPC cases, one pending in the The Hague Local Division and one in the Nordic-Baltic Regional Division. These proceedings are part of a multi-jurisdictional patent dispute with pending national and UPC proceedings both on the offensive and defensive side.
  • Multinational energy company: representing in Dutch PI proceedings against a competitor on solar panel technology as well as in UPC proceedings.
  • US semiconductor company: representing in Dutch patent infringement proceedings against an implementer of video coding technology, with invalidity and FRAND defences raised, as part of a multi-jurisdictional dispute.
  • US life sciences company: representing in various patent infringement actions in the Netherlands regarding medical devices, as part of a multi-jurisdictional dispute.
  • Israeli medical device company: Representing and strategically advising on European patent defence and enforcement. This includes (co)representing the company in three EPO opposition proceedings.
  • Dutch innovation company: representing in proceedings regarding claims relation to a patent license agreement in the food and beverage sector.
Education

Studied

  • CASRIP Patent and IP Law Summer Institute on US patent law, University of Washington (2012)
  • Master of Laws, University of Leiden (2008)

Admissions

  • UPC Representative (2023)
  • Dutch bar (2008)
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Testimonials

Tjibbe Douma is unique in that he makes our business his business, thereby being able to provide excellent strategic advice. Needless to say, he is also a first-rate analyst and litigator. Tjibbe is lovely to work with on both a professional and personal level. He is very dedicated, exceptionally knowledgeable and always on top of matters. It is a privilege working with him.

Legal 500, 2023 – Patents – the Netherlands

We are pleased with Tjibbe Douma as he received complex cases and handled them very well. Tjibbe also assisted in defining the overall litigation strategy for the patents, and we will definitely use him for future litigation.

Legal 500, 2024 – IP|Patents – the Netherlands

Tjibbe Douma is a great leader. He listens to his team and leads by example, not hierarchy. He always has the complete picture of the case, including in the context of international litigation. Furthermore, he is very convincing and very sharp in court.

Legal 500, 2024 – Life Sciences – the Netherlands

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