Charles Gielen

He is a part-time professor in IP law at Groningen University as well as Professor Extraordinary in the Department of Mercantile Law of the University of Stellenbosch, South Africa. He has (co)authored various IP handbooks and articles. Charles is an active member of the International Trademark Association (INTA) and the International Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property (AIPPI). He received the INTA President Award, one of the highest honours given to intellectual property practitioners and has been appointed Member of honour of AIPPI Furthermore he was a member of the standing advisory committee to the Dutch Government on trademark and design law.

In 2012, Charles was named an Officer in the Order of Orange Nassau.

Chambers Global en Chambers Europe 2022 listed Charles as 'Senior Statespeople' in Intellectual Property: General-Mostly Trade Mark/Copyright. Chambers Europe and Chambers Global ranked Charles as 'Senior Statesperson' in Intellectual Property: General - Mostly Trade Mark/Copyright in 2021. Interviewees ranked Charles in Chambers Global Guide 2006 as the most important trade mark player in the Dutch field and Chambers described him as the team's undoubted rainmaker. In the Chambers Global Guide 2008 and the Chambers Europe Guide 2008 Charles is revered as still the icon of trade mark law in the Netherlands. His clients and colleagues describe him as a lawyer of considerable talent. Academically exceptional, he is admired across the market for his active practice and meticulous technical abilities.

Charles graduated from Tilburg University in 1971 and obtained his doctorate degree at Utrecht University in 1991.

Charles frequently publishes on intellectual property law. A complete list of his publications is to be found at www.charlesgielen.com.