Eric was among the first lawyers in the Netherlands to specialise in the media and entertainment sector. An IP lawyer by training, he supports his well-known clients from the music, film, TV, radio and publishing sectors in a wide range of commercial and transactional work. This includes advice on everything from recording, publishing or production agreements, merchandising and brand protection, footage clearance or the exploitation of digital rights, to management agreements, sponsorships and endorsements, and mergers, acquisitions and joint ventures, among many other things.
Though he prefers to resolve conflicts amicably, Eric also handles contentious issues. A wizard when it comes to litigation strategy, he is well known for his success on behalf of JK Rowling and Warner Bros in the ‘Harry Potter v Tanya Grotter’ copyright litigation – a leading case on the issue of literary parodies for which he won an European IP award.
What really sets Eric apart is his combination of a ‘deal-making’ personality with what one client called his “really extensive media and entertainment experience”. This deep understanding of how the media sector works – not just in the Netherlands, but worldwide – enables him to spot opportunities that other lawyers miss and to grasp what can be achieved in an ever-changing landscape. What’s more, he understands what motivates truly creative people – the human factor – as well as what successful businesses require, and can craft solutions that keep everyone happy.
This has proved beneficial to multinational media corporations and individual artists alike. Another thing that makes Eric Keyzer unusual is his love of working with creatives, something that has led him to assist some of the biggest names in Dutch show business, often in an almost managerial role rather than just as a lawyer.
Before joining Leeway Advocaten, Eric set up the IP department at Loeff & van der Ploeg in the 80s which became Loeff Claeys Verbeke in 1993 (of which firm Eric was a board member from 1994-1998 and managing partner of the Amsterdam office). Loeff Claeys Verbeke partially merged into Allen &Overy in 2000. Eric set up his own media and entertainment firm in 2008 next to becoming an off counsel at Allen & Overy. Eric is a former President and Honorary member of the International Association of Entertainment Lawyers.
