Clairfort
For independent entrepreneurs and businesses
About us
About Clairfort
Clairfort is an international law firm based in the Netherlands, with offices in Zeist, Amsterdam and Maastricht.
Learn about Adverit ZeistCommercial law
Comprehensive legal advice for businesses on commercial transactions, distribution, franchise, agency, sales, general terms and …Explore practice area
Corporate law
Comprehensive legal support for businesses, directors (including their liability) and shareholders in corporate governance, …Explore practice area
Construction law
Legal support for construction projects, including building contracts, liability, defects, delays and disputes between …Explore practice area
Our mission
Adverit Legal is the trusted legal partner of entrepreneurs. Our close-knit team of lawyers combines in-depth expertise across the legal matters that are relevant to our clients and their businesses. With a pragmatic and realistic approach, we strategically assess every available option, always keeping the client’s best interests at the centre of our advice. In doing so, we build high-quality, long-term relationships based on involvement and trust. We do what we say, and we say what we do.
Can you monopolize a colour? On colours and their protection under trademark law!
This article discusses trademark protection for colours, prompted by legal proceedings brought by US retail chain 7-Eleven against Nike over alleged trademark infringement involving colour marks. It explores the legal requirements and challenges of monopolising a colour under trademark law. The piece considers how courts assess distinctiveness and use of colour as a trademark. It situates the dispute within broader debates on brand identity protection.1 September, 2026
Publication MARQUES: CJEU rules on copyright protection for works of applied art in Mio and Konektra cases
This article reports on the 4 December 2025 ruling of the Court of Justice of the European Union in the joined Mio and Konektra cases. The decision addresses the threshold for copyright protection of works of applied art, an area historically marked by fragmented national approaches. It clarifies how originality is assessed for functional/design objects across the EU. The piece situates the judgment's implications for designers and manufacturers seeking copyright protection alongside or instead of design rights.25 August, 2026
Ezenia Coleman is undertaking an internship at Clairfort as part of the Intellectual Property, IT & Privacy team
Ezenia Coleman, a law student from the University of San Francisco, describes her internship experience within Clairfort's IP team. She discusses her background in marketing and interest in intellectual property law, along with highlights from her time at the firm, including attending a court hearing. The article reflects on the educational and professional value of the internship.25 August, 2026
Puck Koster en Michelle van Dalen sworn in as attorneys-at-law
Michelle van Dalen and Puck Koster were sworn in as attorneys-at-law at the Utrecht District Court. Both work within Clairfort's Intellectual Property, IT & Privacy team. Elise Menkhorst served as Michelle's patron, while Evert van Gelderen served as Puck's patron during the swearing-in process.18 August, 2026
Case report for MARQUES: Dutch court rules that Birkenstock sandals are protected by copyright
This case report covers proceedings between Birkenstock and retail chain Scapino, in which Birkenstock claimed copyright protection for several of its iconic sandal models. The Dutch court's ruling addresses when a product design can meet the originality threshold required for copyright protection. The report discusses the reasoning behind extending copyright to footwear designs traditionally protected mainly by design rights. It highlights implications for brand owners seeking broader IP protection for product shapes.18 August, 2026
Liability limitation periods for hidden defects in consumer contracts
This article discusses a ruling by the Amsterdam Court of Appeal of 17 December 2024 concerning liability expiry periods for hidden defects under the AVA 2013 general terms and conditions used in Dutch construction contracts. The court found these expiry periods unreasonably onerous and unfair towards consumers, and therefore unenforceable against them. The piece explains the underlying dispute involving a homeowner and contractor, and contrasts the AVA 2013 expiry regime with statutory limitation periods under the Civil Code. It also considers the wider implications for the Dutch construction industry, since similar expiry clauses appear in most standard construction terms.11 August, 2026
Jan de Wrede and Pieter Verloop strengthen Clairfort's Corporate Law and M&A team
Clairfort announced the expansion of its Corporate Law and M&A team with the addition of two experienced attorneys, Pieter Verloop and Jan de Wrede. The move strengthens the firm's capacity in company law and M&A advisory work.11 August, 2026
M&A specialist Jan Willem Reesink joins Clairfort's Company Law and M&A team
This announcement reports that Jan Willem Reesink joined Clairfort on 1 May 2025 as a partner and department head in the Company Law and M&A team. It outlines his prior experience as a partner at Banning and nine years as an M&A lawyer at Van Doorne in Amsterdam. The piece describes his practice areas, including mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance, private equity, joint ventures and shareholder agreements. It notes that his clients include Dutch and foreign companies across various sectors.4 August, 2026