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Hajo Kraak

Hajo Kraak

  • Chemistry
  • Life Sciences
  • European and Dutch Patent Attorney, European Patent Litigator
  • Partner

Hajo Kraak has been a patent attorney at V.O. since 2007. Prior to V.O. he worked as in-house patent counsel in the chemical industry (fibers, electronic materials, chemicals, coatings) and in research-based pharma. Hajo continues to work for chemical as well as pharmaceutical companies. He graduated in organic and polymer chemistry at Leiden University (1987), and has been active in patents ever since.

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As a patent attorney Hajo has dealt with a broad range of chemical, pharmaceutical, and nutritional sciences and technologies. He gained considerable experience in obtaining patents and conducting opposition proceedings before the European Patent Office, including oral proceedings, and in international patent litigation. Also, he has been active in conducting patent due diligence investigations and in developing patent strategies for various businesses, including life cycle management in pharma.

Hajo is a member of the Dutch delegation for the EPI Council and a tutor for the Dutch qualifying examination.

In his capacity as European Patent Litigator, Hajo is allowed to act as UPC representative.

Working experience

  • Patent Attorney, V.O. (2007-present)
  • Head of Global Patent Department, Organon (2001-2007)
  • Member of IP Managent Team, Akzo Nobel (2001-2007)
  • Senior patent attorney, Organon (1997-2001)
  • Management team patent department, Akzo Nobel (1995-1997)
  • Patent counsel, Akzo Nobel (1987-1997)

Education

  • MSc in Organic and Polymer Chemistry, Leiden University (1987)

Directories

  • “Hajo Kraak, a specialist in chemical and pharmaceuticals, graces the firm with extensive experience organising patent opposition proceedings before the EPO and participating in international patent litigation. As a member of the Dutch delegation for the EPI Council, Kraak possesses a deep understanding of inventors’ and companies’ perspectives, thanks to his technological acumen” (IAM Patent 1000, 2024)
  • Hajo Kraak “is an outstanding patent attorney with very strong skills in oppositions. He understands the needs of in-house counsel and has a great ability to recognise how patents fit into a business context” (IAM Patent 1000, 2023)
  • “Hajo Kraak speaks the language of inventors, thanks to his background in industry, and works seamlessly with in-house teams at prestigious companies to craft strategies and streamline internal processes” (IAM Patent 1000, 2021).
  • Recommended Individual (IAM Patent 1000, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024).
  • “Otto Oudshoorn, Hajo Kraak and Frits Schut are mainstays of the life sciences and chemistry practice. Kraak is [one] of the firm’s experienced former in-house patent counsels and can be relied on for a commercially tuned-up service on chemical and pharmaceutical matters” (IAM Patent 1000, 2019).
  • “A former in-house counsel at AkzoNobel, Kraak is a legal and scientific polymath who is a heavyweight in the Dutch IP scene” (IAM Patent 1000, 2018).
  • “Chemistry maestro Hajo Kraak is a trusted partner for clients seeking bulletproof patent portfolio advice” (IAM Patent 1000, 2017).
  • “Hajo Kraak is a high-flying chemist. He has plentiful chemical and pharmaceutical industry experience to draw on; with a flair for oppositions and litigation” (IAM Patent 1000, 2016).
  • “Chemical, pharmaceutical and nutritional sciences sage Hajo Kraak makes his debut in the guide this year. While many attorneys here have industry experience, Kraak is particularly good at communicating in the in-house language; prior to joining the firm, he spent two decades in senior patent roles at Akzo Nobel and Organon” (IAM Patent 1000, 2015).

Professional & Community Activities

  • Tutor CEIPI course for European patent qualification (1993-2003)
  • Tutor Professional Education Dutch Patent Attorneys (as of 2000)
  • Member EPI Council for The Netherlands

Languages

  • English
  • Dutch
  • German
  • Italian

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News

Netherlands Patent Attorney Firm of the Year

Since October 17, V.O. can proudly call itself “Netherlands Patent Attorney Firm of the Year. On behalf of our firm, Sjoerd Postma and Marijke Westra received this honorable award from IAM and WTR in London, where all winners of the 2024 Global IP Award were announced.Continue reading

Research exemptions under Belgian patent law before and after 1 June 2023

A research exemption is a provision in patent law that allows researchers to perform Research and Development (R&D) on patented inventions without infringing on the patent holder’s rights. In Belgium, the research exemption was one of the broadest in Europe until 31 May 2023.Continue reading

Recognitions by IP STARS andWho’s Who Legal

We are again proud of our recent recognitions by IP STARS (Managing IP) as a Tier 1 firm and for Belgium as a Tier 2 firm. And a Tier 3 listing for Trademark Prosecution. Individual recommendations as ‘IP Stars 2024’ are for Tamara Elmore, Bettina Hermann, Annemie Jaeken, Leo Jessen, Bernard Ledeboer, Marco Molling, Otto […]Continue reading

Events

Health Technology Game Changers

Nieuwe Markt 1, Groningen, Netherlands

On November 14, HTRIC is organising her greatest event yet. What does the future of health technology look like? Who are these game changers? And most importantly, who will become a game changer in the field of health tech?

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76th Council Meeting APAA 2024

SMX Convention Center Manila, Seashell Lane, Pasay, National Capital Region, Philippines

The Asian Patent Attorneys Association (APAA) is a non-governmental organization dedicated to promoting and enhancing intellectual property protection in the Asian region (including Australia and New Zealand).

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NWO CHAINS 2024

Hotel NH Eindhoven Conference Centre Koningshof, Locht, Veldhoven

NWO CHAINS is the annual Dutch chemistry conference. It is the conference where more than 1,500 chemists, from PhD students and postdocs to professors and R&D scientists, in science and industry come together. 

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