Mark van Gardingen

Mark is a partner at Brinkhof and one of the founders of Brinkhof. He specialises in litigation and providing strategic advice on European patent disputes. Mark’s science grammar school education, combined with his Master’s in Patent and IP law from Utrecht University, enables him to quickly grasp any kind of technology and translate it into legal opportunities, be it in the field of electronics, chemistry, biochemistry, mechanical engineering, or any other area.

Mark is highly involved in shaping the future of European patents, particularly concerning the forthcoming changes arising from the introduction of the so-called ‘Unitary Patents’ and the establishment of the ‘Unified Patent Court’ (UPC).

He serves as a board member of the European Patent Lawyers Association EPLAW with official observation status granted by the UPC Administrative Commission. Additionally, he holds a position on the UPC Standing Committee of the international IP association AIPPI. Mark is a member of the IP Advisory Committee of the Dutch Bar and a member of the ‘Commission of Eight’, which serves as a consultative body for the Netherlands Patent Office and the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate. In addition, Mark plays an active part in the European Patent Office’s training programme for (prospective) UPC judges, regularly assuming the role of a lawyer in practical cases in accordance with the new UPC rules.