Bastiaan Koster

Patent Attorney, Trademark Practitioner

An approachable legal leader, consummate in a very broad range of Intellectual Property matters.

Bastiaan Koster’s broad understanding of the South African and international IP landscapes sees him working across both the patent and trade mark departments at Von Seidels.

About Bastiaan Koster

Bastiaan Koster is an accomplished patent attorney and trade mark practitioner. As past president of the South African Institute of Intellectual Property Law (SAIIPL) and past president of the International Federation of Intellectual Property Attorneys (FICPI), he brings significant experience to the table. Bastiaan is the partner responsible for the day-to-day management of Von Seidels.

Bastiaan Koster’s formal training in electronic engineering (pre-law), coupled with extensive experience in matters relating to Plant Breeders’ Rights, has stood him in good stead when it comes to understanding and working with matters of a broad technical nature and their integration with commercial issues.

Taken together with his natural acumen for the law and his noteworthy experience in IP registration, administration, enforcement and litigation, Bastiaan’s approach makes him a highly qualified member and much-valued partner in the Von Seidels team.

Due to Bastiaan’s comprehensive experience in intellectual property matters, he consults with a wide range of clients on the strategic management of their intellectual property portfolios. In his long-standing involvement in FICPI, he has acquired a deep understanding of current global IP issues.

Who’s Who Legal features Bastiaan Koster as a patent expert (2020).

Best Lawyers recognises Bastiaan Koster as a leading lawyer in intellectual property law (2021).

Managing Intellectual Property recognises Bastiaan Koster as a ‘Patent & Trademark Star’ (2022).

Focus areas

  • Patent and Trade Mark prosecution
  • Registered designs
  • Copyright
  • Portfolio management
  • Licensing
  • Plant Breeders' Rights

Education

  • University of Johannesburg, BEng Electronic Engineering (1983)
  • University of South Africa, BProc (1989)
  • South African Institute of Intellectual Property Law, Qualified Trade Mark Practitioner (2003)

Affiliations and accolades

  • Attorney of the High Court, South Africa
  • Patent Attorney, South Africa
  • Fellow, past President, South African Institute of Intellectual Property Law (SAIIPL)
  • Past President, International Federation of Intellectual Property Attorneys (FICPI)
  • IP Star, Managing Intellectual Property, Patents and Trade Marks (2016 - 2022)
  • Recommended Individual, IAM Patent 1000 (2021 - 2022)

Featured in

Von Seidels Awarded

“Patent Firm of the Year – South Africa” recognition during Managing Intellectual Property’s awards ceremony held last night in London.

Von Seidels is in Tier 1

We are excited to share that our firm has moved up to Tier 1 for trade marks in IP STARS (Managing IP) 2022 firm rankings for South Africa.

Chambers 2022

Chambers and Partners recognises Von Seidels and 7 of our partners in the 2022 edition of the Global Guide. Our firm retained our ranking

Best Lawyers 2022

Congratulations to our five partners recognised by Best Lawyers® as leaders in Intellectual Property Law in South Africa.