Belgian Central Register of Director Bans | Short update
JustBan, the Central Register of Director Bans, now also includes civil director bans. We previously reported on the launch of the Belgian Central Register of Director Bans (‘JustBan’). In the first implementation phase, only criminal director bans were included in the register. In the second phase, scheduled for implementation in 2024, civil director bans were […]
Paul-Alain Foriers, nieuwe Stafhouder bij de Balie van Cassatie!
Sinds 1 september 2024 is Paul Alain Foriers, een van onze stichtende vennoten, officieel in functie als Stafhouder van de Orde van advocaten bij het Hof van Cassatie. Deze nieuwe positie betekent een nieuwe mijlpaal in zijn uitzonderlijke carrière. Paul Alain Foriers, is een van de pijlers van ons kantoor en belichaamt de waarden die […]
ArtificiaI Intelligence in Belgium | Legal State of Play in 2024
As AI continues to redefine industries and reshape the future, our team remains at the forefront, deeply committed to tracking every legal and regulatory shift in this ever-evolving landscape. Exclusively for the Legal 500 we’ve updated the Belgian chapter of the Artificial Intelligence Comparative Guide. Download PDF here Should you have any questions, do not […]
New Deal Assistance – Private Equity | Emmers Equestrian
Simont Braun has assisted Dirk and Christiane Schreurs-Emmers, founders of Emmers Equestrian, with the sale of a minority stake to Akiles. Simont Braun’s deal team, led by corporate M&A partner Tom Swinnen and associate Julie Braeckman, is thrilled to have contributed to this significant milestone for Emmers Equestrian. Emmers Equestrian is a Belgian top-tier retailer […]
The Mc Donald’s Case | Even major brands must prove trade mark use
McDonald’s loses its EU trade mark ‘Big Mac’ for chicken products – an important reminder for owners of (famous) brands McDonald’s has lost its EU trade mark ‘Big Mac’ for chicken sandwiches and poultry products in classes 29 and 30 and related restaurant services in class 42 after five years of non-use, following a judgment […]
Large-Scale Online Copyright Infringement | New Judicial Procedure
On 6 May 2024, the Royal Decree of 18 April 2024 concerning the establishment of the service for the fight against copyright and related rights infringements on the Internet and the illegal operation of online gambling games was published in the Belgian Official Gazette. This Royal Decree provides for the entry into force of a […]
Prop trading | Just playing with data or actual investment services?
Over the past decade, online trading has become increasingly accessible for regular consumers. The European market is now full of platforms offering a wide array of products and investment options. While these platforms initially positioned themselves as gateways between clients (consumers) and the traditional financial markets, new technologies have paved the road for different (innovative) […]
Simont Braun ranked in The Legal 500 EMEA 2024
Last Wednesday, Legal 500 unveiled its 2024 rankings, highlighting our firm’s ongoing excellence. Our teams not only maintained but also enhanced their recognitions, garnering additional praise in two new categories. We warmly thank all team members for their motivation and hard work. We are also grateful to our peers and valued clients for their trust […]
Compton Cases | Geographical Names as Fashion Trademarks
In two judgements of 28 February 2024 in related cases T-746/22 and T-747/22, the General Court of the EU (GCEU) upheld the validity of two EU trademark registrations containing the geographical name ‘Compton’, which it considers distinctive and not descriptive for fashion items like clothing and bags. These judgments provide a good opportunity to refresh […]
INSURANCE LAW | New Rules on Time Limits and Penalties
On 14 March 2024, the Belgian Federal Parliament adopted a draft law setting up new rules on time limits and penalties for the payment of insurance covers and benefits (the “Law”). The Law will enter into force on the first day of the 6th month following its publication in the Official Gazette – which should […]
GDPR and Administrative Fines | Important clarifications from the CJEU
On 5 December 2023, the Court of Justice of the European Union handed down two important judgments1 which clarify the conditions for imposing an administrative fine on a data-controller for a breach of the General Data Protection Regulation (Regulation 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016 on the protection […]
Video Games Series | The Use of Personal Data in the Industry
The video game industry’s increasing reliance on personal data presents a complex legal landscape that game developers must carefully navigate. As the gaming landscape evolves, the role of personal data becomes more pronounced. This article delves into two key aspects: the utilisation of personal data in game analytics and the recurrent theme of data breaches […]
