The Netherlands have frozen patents held by Russian gas companies Gazprom, Rosneft and Transneft. This emerges from data that NOS requested from the Dutch Patent Office. This makes it difficult for Russian companies to do business in the Netherlands.

Also, Dutch companies are trying to get rid of their Russian patents because they have become worthless, patent experts say. The economic war between Europe and Russia is also affecting the system that protects inventors from counterfeiters.

Gazprom, Rosneft and Transneft are on the European sanctions list. As a result, all of their assets in Europe will be frozen. This also applies to the total of six patents held by these Russian oil and gas companies in the Netherlands. These patents protect, among other things, seismic sensors, gas turbine design, and other inventions made by employees of the companies.

For example, a patent usually generates money through licensing agreements. This is no longer allowed due to freezing. Companies often use their patent as collateral, for example to be able to take out a loan from a bank. This is no longer possible, which means that it is becoming increasingly difficult for Russian companies to do business in the Netherlands.

There can be various reasons for registering these inventions in the Netherlands, says patent attorney Robbert-Jan de Lang. “For example, if a company has factories here or if competitors are active here. But that can also be due to tax advantages.”

“Dutch companies weed”

Russia had already suspended protections for companies from “unfriendly countries” in March. Dutch companies can also suffer economic damage if Russian companies start imitating and selling their products with impunity.

At that time, De Lang found about 1200 Dutch patents affected by the Russian law change. Maintaining a patent costs money every year, between ten and a thousand euros. While now it’s useless.

“What we’re seeing from our clients is that they’re weeding their portfolio,” says de Lang. “There are already customers who have decided to delete Russian patents.” The Patent Office VO Patente & Marken is also showing a retreat. “Customers have let their patent rights expire in Russia.”