As of 1 March 2006, the partnership Vereenigde Octrooibureaux has elected Frans A. Dietz as its new chairman.
Frans succeeds Jean H.F. Winckels, who, having reached pensionable age, retired from the firm on 1 March 2006.
Since 1978, after completing his study of electrical engineering in 1977, Frans has worked for VEREENIGDE. In 1981 he was registered as a Dutch and European patent attorney. In 1984 he graduated in civil law and in 1985 he joined the firm.
Frans considers the further consolidation of VEREENIGDE as leading patent and trademark firm in The Netherlands, but especially also in Europe, as his main task.