Custos IPC
A patent attorney firm with members
Custos IPC is a collective of experienced, self-employed patent attorneys. We stand for innovation and believe in an approach that is consciously different. As a cooperative, independent specialists work together under one banner, so that as a patent attorney you can do what you are good at – and grow further in it. With this philosophy, we serve innovative companies and offer a professional, future-oriented environment in which expertise and collaboration are central.
Discover the benefits of being a Custos IPC member
Collaborate
Work with leading, innovative, clients as well as experienced colleagues
Professional liability
Professional liability is covered through Custos IPC
Sharing knowledge
Inspiration, knowledge sharing and good company are a priority
Independence
Maintain your independence as a member
Earn
Earn from completing tasks and from assignments you bring in
Patent administration
The formalities team ensures professional patent administration
A co-operative that works — for you and for clients
Our cooperative is made up of independent IP experts who practise their craft with conviction. The model has been deliberately chosen: it combines the freedom of self-employment with the strength of a professional organisation. You benefit from:
a stable network of patent attorneys,
shared knowledge and high-level sparring,
commercial support,
professional back-office processes,
and a brand that stands for quality and reliability.
Clients work with intrinsically motivated freelancers, without the vulnerability of being a sole operator. At the same time, members can collaborate with each other, strengthen one another, and collectively tackle complex IP issues.
Working with like-minded people
Our members are experienced and driven patent attorneys, each with their own area of expertise. As a member, you can collaborate with fellow professionals, exchange ideas, and learn from each other. This happens through joint assignments for clients, during peer reviews, and at member days organised several times a year.
During these gatherings, we'll update each other at inspiring locations, there's often a substantive programme, and we'll finish with food and drinks. This creates a close-knit, professional community where knowledge sharing and collegiality are a given.
A strong network that continuously creates new opportunities
Custos IPC operates nationwide and has a broad network of strategic partners: lawyers, tax advisors, accountants, product designers, subsidy advisors, investors, incubators, universities and various knowledge institutions. These collaborations continuously give rise to new client needs – substantive IP issues that you as a member can sink your teeth into. Consider, for example:
patent applications,
opposites,
second opinions,
freedom‑to‑operate analyses,
and structural in-house IP management assignments.
Whether it's small or large, short-term or long-term: the client's needs dictate the assignment. To guarantee quality, we standardise on everyone having to check everyone else's work. This means you always work together with other members – in terms of content, constructively, and professionally.
Flexible task allocation within the cooperative
As a member, you can assign tasks to the cooperative yourself. You often carry these out yourself, but it may also be the case that a task is better suited to another member – for instance, due to specific technical expertise or available capacity. Our margin structure takes all commercial scenarios into account and is clear for.
Professional back-end support
Custos IPC has a skilled Formalities team. With professional IT systems, all submissions, administrative processes, and deadlines are fully secured. This means you can focus entirely on your substantive work as a patent attorney — without operational burdens.
The power of self-employment, with the security of a collective
As a member of Custos IPC, you'll never be on your own. You'll receive support both front and back, whilst benefiting from collaboration, knowledge sharing, and a stable network. You'll retain your independence, but operate within a structure that makes you stronger.
Interested in collaborating?
Curious and want to know more? Please get in touch. You'll find the details on our contact page Willemyn Slikker, co-founder and independent patent attorney. She’d be happy to tell you more about the options available.
Are you a patent attorney, not yet self-employed, but considering the step towards entrepreneurship? You are also very welcome for a no-obligation chat.
