I4F, a group of companies providing patents and technologies to the flooring industry, announced that Mattie de Koning is joining its management team as the company’s Chief IP Officer, a new strategic function in the organization.  This new role will focus on the expansion and further evolution of I4F’s Patent Cluster Concept (PCC), as well as facilitate the introduction of new, innovative technologies into the market. I4F’s PCC offers cutting-edge solutions in the areas of locking, new high demand materials and panel compositions, board and wall panels, manufacturing processes as well as for surface finishing and digital printing. Mr. de Koning will be based out of the company’s global headquarters located in Hamont, Belgium.

Specialized in national and cross-border patent litigation, Mr. de Koning joins I4F from the global law firm, Simmons & Simmons LLP, where he was an IP partner specializing in cross-border patent litigation and IP transactions.  During his time there, Mr. de Koning litigated various high profile cases for clients such as BASF, Xiaomi, Netflix, Samsung and HP. 

Mr. de Koning has also worked with I4F since 2014, representing and assisting the company in various patent proceedings before the Courts and the European Patent Office. Prior to his admission to the bar in 2006, he enjoyed an international career in sports as an artistic gymnast participating in various European and World Championships.

Mr. de Koning has two master’s degrees:  one in chemical engineering from Eindhoven Technical University and a second in law from Erasmus University Rotterdam.  He is recognised as a leading patent specialist in all major legal directories, such as Chambers, Legal 500 and IAM patent 1000.  

John Rietveldt, I4F’s CEO, says, “Mattie is a true heavy weight in IP litigation and no stranger to the global flooring industry. He has represented and supported I4F in all its major IP legal cases in Europe and the US.  In addition to his incredible depth of IP knowledge and experience, he knows us and our business through and through, enabling him to hit the ground running as our Chief IP Officer. Sitting on our management team, we are delighted to have Mattie step into this new strategic role, designed to evolve our IP portfolio and support our licensees, as he will make it meaningful and impactful from day one.”

To learn more about I4F, visit i4f.com.