The Benelux Office for Intellectual Property (BOIP) is the official body that registers trademarks and designs in the Benelux. In addition, BOIP can record the existence of an idea on a particular date in an i-DEPOT.
Since 1971
Since 1971, the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg apply uniform rules for the protection of trademarks for entrepreneurs. Since 1975, the Benelux also applies the same regulations for the protection of designs.
In 2006, those separate rules for trademarks and designs were replaced by one single convention: the Benelux Convention on Intellectual Property (BCIP).
This Convention determines both trademark law and the law relating to design rights in a systematic and transparent framework. Since the end of 2013, the i-DEPOT is also covered by the BCIP.
Since the unique cooperation between Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg came into being, BOIP has established itself as a contemporary organisation. Specialising in the field of intellectual property in the Benelux, it is a knowledge source and sparring partner for IP professionals and representatives. BOIP maintains close contact with a large number of national and international organisations in the field of intellectual property rights and continuously works to improve its services.
If you would like to know more about our organisation and our mission, you can read more on our Organisation & Policy page
Who are we?
We operate from our offices in The Hague. As an independent organisation BOIP cannot give personal advice, but it can provide information about the intellectual property world and the latest developments in its field of expertise. Through this website, BOIP also offers direct access to official registration of trademarks, designs and drawings in the Benelux. BOIP is happy to refer entrepreneurs to an IP professional or representative for personal advice.
We would be happy to hear from you!
Are you an IP professional or a representative? We would be happy to hear from you to share knowledge and exchange experience, so that together we can assist entrepreneurs further in the exciting but often complex field that is intellectual property. Need information? Please contact our Information Centre which is open on weekdays.
Partnerships
In addition to working with national and international IP bodies, BOIP also works with a range of partners in Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg. These organisations, such as the Dutch Chamber of Commerce or the Business Advice Centres in Belgium, are in close contact with entrepreneurs. BOIPs' goal in partnering up is to share knowledge and information about intellectual property, entrepreneurship and innovation.
Benelux council for Intellectual Property
The Benelux Council for Intellectual Property (Benelux Council) makes recommendations and advises BOIP on all matters concerning intellectual property that fall under the authority of the Benelux Organisation for Intellectual Property.
The Benelux Council comprises various stakeholders in the Benelux, such as the judiciary, the academic community, lawyers, representatives and entrepreneurs.
BOIP in the Caribbean Netherlands
In addition to its remits under the BCIP and the Implementing Regulations, BOIP also implements the Trademarks (BES Islands) Act (WMB) under the authority of the 'Rijksdienst Caribisch Nederland'. This is the trademarks legislation applicable in the three Dutch special municipalities: Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba.
More about trademark registration in the Caribbean Netherlands
BOIP also handles trademark registration for Sint Maarten in cooperation with the Sint Maarten Bureau for Intellectual Property (BIP SXM).
More about trademark registration on Sint Maarten
