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‘I enjoy cooperating with creative inventors and mapping out together the road that leads to the most effective protection for their new products and processes and to contribute to the commercial success by defining adequate IP strategies.’
Hans Bottema

Hans Bottema

  • Engineering
  • Hightech & Electronics
  • European and Dutch Patent Attorney, European Patent Litigator
  • Partner

Hans Bottema studied engineering physics at the University for Technology Delft and, after completing his studies in the field of nuclear physics in 1988, started working at Philips electronics. There he completed his education as a patent attorney and worked in the fields of medical devices and electron microscopy. Hans then moved to Procter & Gamble, where he was involved in patent prosecution and litigation in the field of consumer products. He joined a large patent and trademark firm in The Hague in 1995, where he was a partner from 1999 until 2023.

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As an expert in the field of physics, Hans concentrates on automotive technology, offshore, water treatment, medical devices, security documents and aerospace engineering. Hans advises a wide range of companies, from start-ups to multinationals.

He has ample experience in patent litigation before the courts of first instance and appeal in The Hague and in opposition and appeal cases before the European Patent Office. Hans was a managing partner and member of the supervisory board of one of the largest patent and trademarks firms in The Netherlands. He was a secretary of the Dutch Patent attorney association and is a member of the professional conduct committee of the European patent institute (EPI).

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

Working experience

  • Partner at V.O. (2023-present)
  • Patent attorney and partner (from 1999 on) with a large patent and trademark firm in The Hague (1995-2023)
  • Patent attorney with Procter & Gamble (1992-1995)
  • Patent attorney with Philips electronics (1988-1992)

Education

  • Master of Science in engineering physics from University of Technology, Delft 1988.

Directories

  • “Hans Bottema boasts nearly 40 years as a leading patent professional in the Netherlands. His combination of in-house experience and a wealth of expertise in physics qualifies him to tackle the most complex questions at the intersection of intellectual property and automotive technology, medical devices and aerospace engineering.” (IAM Patent 1000, 2025).
  • “Joining the team from NLO in October 2023, physicist Hans Bottema relishes working at the cutting edge of technology and leverages his in-house experience to effectively support inventors with both legal and business needs.” (IAM Patent 1000, 2024).
  • “Physicist Hans Bottema relishes working at the cutting edge of technology and leverages his in-house experience to effectively support inventors with both legal and business needs.” (IAM Patent 1000, 2022).
  • “ …Fellow physicist Hans Bottema has ample in-house and private practice experience, which informs his sage, business-minded counsel.” (IAM Patent 1000, 2020).
  • Recognized as IP STAR by Managing IP in 2020,2021,2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025.

Professional & Community Activities

  • Member of the Professional Conduct Committee of the EPI
  • Member of the Dutch institute of patent attorneys, EPI, AIPPI, FICPI and UNION

Languages

  • Dutch
  • English
  • German
  • French

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News

UPC anti-anti-suit injunctions as interim measures: Munich Local Division in Huawei v Netgear (UPC_CFI_791/2024)

In its Order of 11 December 2024 in UPC_CFI_791/2024 (Munich Local Division), the Unified Patent Court (UPC) granted an ex parte anti-anti-suit/anti-enforcement injunction (AASI/AAEI) to prevent steps in US proceedings that were said to obstruct UPC patent enforcement. The decision is noteworthy for its articulation of the UPC’s jurisdictional basis and the procedural framework for […]Continue reading

R 0016/23: the Enlarged Board confirms the mandatory nature of oral proceedings upon request under Article 116(1) EPC 

In R 0016/23 (Enlarged Board of Appeal, 21 November 2025), the Enlarged Board set aside a Legal Board of Appeal decision which had dismissed an appeal without holding requested oral proceedings. The decision is a clear statement that efficiency and “timely legal certainty” cannot, in themselves, justify restricting the scope of Article 116(1) EPC when […]Continue reading

Medical-device infringement and “standard use”: LD Munich on lege artis use and conditional revocation counterclaims (UPC_CFI_628/2024) 

In its decision on the merits in UPC_CFI_628/2024 (with the related revocation counterclaim UPC_CFI_125/2025), the Munich Local Division of the Unified Patent Court (UPC) addressed two practically relevant issues:Continue reading