The thin line between esports and gambling
Video games have been on the rise for a few years now. In particular, esports have been growing rapidly. The industry is now expected to reach 1.1 billion dollars of global revenue in 2020, with esports events gathering an audience of almost half a billion people (Newzoo, 2020 Global Esports Market Report). Initiatives for a regulatory […]
Le très attendu nouveau droit des obligations sort de son hibernation
Le nouveau gouvernement fédéral s’était engagé à en faire une priorité. Chose promise chose due : le texte a été redéposé à la Chambre mercredi sous forme d’une proposition de loi (le texte est disponible ici). Le texte codifie le droit des contrats et le régime général de l’obligation. Il constitue ainsi le complément des […]
The importance of prior rights in domain name disputes
The importance of prior rights in domain name disputes: bpost arrives too late and misses out on the domain name “bpost.com” On 8 February 2021, an arbitration panel of the WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center dismissed a complaint filed by bpost NV and bpost bank NV concerning the domain name “bpost.com” (case no. D2020-2195, bpost […]
Simont Braun once again recognised in Chambers Global
We are delighted to share that our Dispute Resolution and Corporate M&A teams have maintained superior results in Chambers Global 2021. Dispute Resolution: Band 3 Corporate M&A: Band 4 We are also happy to see Paul Alain Foriers keeping his top position in Dispute Resolution as a Senior Statesperson. Sandrine Hirsch is also very well […]
No Brexit for personal data? EU adequacy decision officially on track
On 19 February 2021, the EU Commission published its draft adequacy decision allowing personal data transfers from the EU to the UK under the GDPR. It is a welcome new development in the Brexit saga. To become final, the decision must receive i) the opinion from the European Data Protection Board (the so-called EDPB) on […]
New law on basic banking services for business in Belgium: what’s in it for the FinTech industry?
On 25 November 2020, the new law on basic banking services for businesses has been published in the Belgian Official Journal. It introduces a right to basic banking services for companies that will enter into force on 1 May 2021 (see our previous news here). Up to now in Belgium, mandatory basic banking services were […]
Can the late discovery of fraud lead to the vacating of an arbitration award?
According to the Constitutional Court judgment of 28 January 2021, fraud discovered more than three months after the notification of an arbitration award can now lead to the vacating of the award. The Constitutional Court judgment On 28 January 2021, the Constitutional Court held as unconstitutional article 1717, § 4, of the Belgian Judicial Code […]
Can Brussels become the EU Hub for Insurance and InsurTech?
Brexit & Insurance | Can Brussels become the EU Hub for Insurance and InsurTech? Thomas Derval shares some insights and experience alongside other insurance experts in the BECI Magazine. Enjoy the read here, and thank you to Philippe Beco for the interview. Should you have any question, please contact Thomas Derval: thomas.derval@simontbraun.eu – +32 (0)2 […]
Brexit deal & data transfers: a temporary relief
Amongst the (many) uncertainties linked to Brexit, its potential restrictive impact on data transfers between the European Economic Area (EEA) and the UK was an important one for all businesses with cross-border activities. The EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement (the Brexit deal) adopted last December has brought a temporary answer to it. It allows EEA […]
Simont Braun authors ICLG Belgian Chapter on Designs
What are the key principles of Benelux Design law? Fernand de Visscher and Julie Kever authored the Belgian chapter on Designs in the International Comparative Legal Guide 2021 (ICLG): a pragmatic and comprehensive overview for all IP practitioners. The guide is available here. Should you have any question, please contact Fernand de Visscher: fernand.devisscher@simontbraun.eu +32 […]
Amendments to Belgian corporate law to facilitate remote shareholders’ meetings
Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the provisions of the Companies and Associations Code (the “CAC”) on the functioning of corporate bodies have proved to be too restrictive, particularly with regard to the remote organisation of shareholders’ meetings for listed companies or companies having many shareholders. Facilitating remote shareholders’ meetings Following the Royal Decree […]
Flash News | New moratorium for enterprises in difficulty
Belgium has recently adopted extra measures to combat the negative economic impact of Covid-19. The Law of 20 December 2020, which entered into force on 24 December 2020, provides for a second moratorium for companies in difficulty up until 31 January 2021 (included). The scope of application of these measures is, however, more restrictive than […]