Protecting innovation and distinctiveness through Intellectual Property (IP) is essential. But IP is not only a matter of protection and enforcement (litigation, customs measures, etc.), it is also an asset to be integrated within the business cycle (licensing, assignment, audit, tax advantages, finance and securities). The exploitation of intellectual property rights also raises questions of market regulation, such as the application of competition rules and the free movement of goods and services.

Intellectual property law Simont Braun Belgian business law firm

Our services

Our work covers patents, trademarks, copyright, designs, know-how & trade secrets, geographical indications and plant varieties, as well as related fields such as food law, distributorship issues, competition rules, marketing rules and consumer protection (including personal data protection).

When disputes arise, we target flexible and viable solutions, whether via negotiation, mediation, arbitration or in court. Our partners offer their extensive and in-depth experience before all Belgian courts, the Benelux Court of Justice, the EU General Court and the EU Court of Justice. The team also assists the partners authorised to appear before the Belgian Supreme Court (Cour de cassation – Hof van cassatie) in IP matters. We regularly handle cross-border and multinational litigation, also in collaboration with the best independent firms located abroad.

Simont Braun’s IP team also assists clients in due diligence assignments and in the structuring, negotiation and completion of complex projects involving IP rights (R&D contracts, consortiums, supply agreements, licensing, joint ventures, distribution, etc.).

We advise clients in various sectors, including chemicals, pharmaceuticals, energy, electromechanical engineering, telecommunications, music, film, media, software, databases, luxury goods, food, retail, advertising and direct marketing.

Our practice has a strong international focus thanks to the language skills of our lawyers and the team’s active involvement in multiple international organisations and their scientific/academic work in the field of IP.

 

Our approach 

Paying the closest attention to the commercial requirements and practical aspects is of central importance when handling projects or conflicts. At Simont Braun, this is combined with permanent internal and academic monitoring of legislative developments and case law. As and when required, we also work in close collaboration with our other departments, notably Corporate/M&A, Banking & Finance, Real Estate and Tax.

Lawyers

Emmanuel Cornu
Emmanuel
Cornu
Partner
Eric De Gryse
Eric
De Gryse
Partner
Fernand de Visscher
Fernand
de Visscher
Partner
Michaël De Vroey
Michaël
De Vroey
Partner
Arnaud Bouten
Arnaud
Bouten
Associate
Arnaud Detry
Arnaud
Detry
Associate
Marie-Ysaline Lannoye
Marie-Ysaline
Lannoye
Associate
Ségolène Nève
Ségolène
Nève
Associate
Noah Verbaenen
Noah
Verbaenen
Associate

Rankings