Tags: Intellectual Property
Screws loose? The CJEU weighs in on a trade mark parody gone political
CJEU’s judgment of 8 September 2026 in Case C-298/23, Inter IKEA Systems BV v Algemeen Vlaams Belang VZW (Reference for a preliminary ruling from the Nederlandstalige Ondernemingsrechtbank Brussel – Brussels Dutch-speaking Business Court, Belgium). 1. Summary of the facts On 14 November 2022, the Belgian far-right political party Vlaams Belang publicly presented, at a press […]
Agri-food Law Seminar 2026
We are excited to announce that our annual Agri-food Law Seminar will return to Brussels on 5 June 2026!
A Protocol for IP Disputes at the Brussels Enterprise Court
The Dutch-speaking Enterprise Court of Brussels has long been a central forum for intellectual property litigation in Belgium. On 2 March 2026, a protocol entered into force setting out best practices for interactions between lawyers and the court in IP matters. Its aim is straightforward: to improve cooperation and ensure efficient, professional case management. Three points stand out.
Where food law meets intellectual property: Food IP through last year’s case law
Government decisions can often have a significant impact on companies in the agrifood and life sciences sectors. But what options do you have if you disagree with such a decision? Which steps are available to you, and which route – administrative or judicial – is the most suitable in your case?
Silent night, mighty right? The ascent of the variety denomination | Plant Variety Rights X-Mas Special – Part 2
Plant Variety Rights (PVR) quietly shape how new varieties reach our fields, kitchens and shop shelves. As we wrap up the year, it’s the perfect moment to reflect on what’s been cooking in the world of PVR. Building on last year’s insights, this year’s focus is on the increasing importance and enforcement of variety denominations—not […]
Employment contract termination: recent case law highlights
Staff dismissal is a key aspect of every HR professional’s role. However, keeping up with evolving legal developments can be a challenge. Employment termination rules are shaped not only by legislation but also by ongoing case law developments. In our upcoming webinar, we’ll highlight a selection of relevant recent court decisions relating to, amongst others, […]
IP (up)date: The CJEU’s BSH/Electrolux decision (C-339/22) and its implications for cross-border IP litigation
Join us for our next IP Update on 17 June 2025 on the CJEU’s BSH/Electrolux decision (C-339/22) and its far-reaching implications for cross-border IP litigation. Our IP partners Christophe Ronse, Philippe de Jong and Kirian Claeyé will unpack how the ruling can be expected to reshape strategies around the pan-European enforcement of patents and other […]
Agri-food Law Seminar 2025
Programme 12:00 – 12:45 Welcome and lunch 12:45 – 13:25 “The IP and regulatory future of NGT plant material – what will the trilogue bring us?” The European Parliament and the Council have expressed substantially different views on the Commission’s proposal for an NGT Regulation, both in terms of regulatory requirements and patentability. This session […]
IP Update | The (EU) GI recipe book: Is geographical goodwill the secret ingredient?
Geographical Indications (GIs) are protected against exploitation, weakening, dilution or detriment to their reputation as enshrined in the new regulation governing wine, spirit drinks and agricultural products (Regulation 2024/1143). In December 2025 an EU-wide GI protection scheme conferring suchlike scope of protection in the ambit of craft and industrial products will become applicable (Regulation 2023/2411). […]
New year, new policy: CPVO updates its public access to documents policy
The Community Plant Variety Office (CPVO) recently revised its public access to documents policy to align with the European Union (EU)’s evolving transparency standards. Effective since 15 January 2025, the new policy seeks to ensure broad access to all documents that the CPVO holds, while protecting private parties’ commercial interests. In particular, a system of prior confidentiality requests has been put in place for applicants of Community plant variety rights (CPVR).
Don’t let plant breeder’s rights steal your tasty Christmas!
Plant Variety Rights (PVR) are an important and perhaps lesser known aspect of intellectual property that can significantly impact the food and feed industry. You may have encountered PVRs in passing but never fully considered their impact. As the holiday season fills shelves with seasonal treats and festive feasts, it’s worth asking: does a food product infringe PVRs when processing protected ingredients? Does the PVR holder have a claim on the final product? Are you allowed to refer to a protected variety’s name in your product labeling?
IP Update: Trademark Law Meets Circular Economy: Can Sustainability Goals Always Justify Repair, Debranding, Rebranding, and Upcycling of Branded Products?
Join us for an insightful panel discussion on “Trademark Law Meets Circular Economy: Can Sustainability Goals Always Justify Repair, Debranding, Rebranding, and Upcycling of Branded Products?”!
Deepfakes in the music industry: Will the AI Act change the tune?
The emergence of deepfake technology, particularly within the music industry, has sparked significant debate and concern. Deepfakes, which are synthetic media generated using AI to replicate and/or manipulate a known artist’s likeness and/or voice, have the potential to revolutionise the music industry.
WEBINAR VIDEO | When are IP holders liable for enforcing an IP right?
During this IP Update, Sofie Thijssen and Kirian Claeyé revisit when IP holders may be held liable for enforcing provisional measures based on their IP right.
When are IP holders liable for enforcing an IP right?
During this webinar, our experts will revisit when IP holders may be held liable for enforcing provisional measures based on their IP right.
The authors of Ravel’s Boléro: Towards a revival of copyright in the Basque composer’s masterpiece?
A blog about Maurice Ravel on Valentine’s Day? No doubt we’ll be talking about Daphnis et Chloé or Don Quichotte à Dulcinée? Well, no. It’s obviously the Boléro that this post is about. The chef-d’oeuvre of the French composer is at the centre of a high-profile trial, the first hearing of which is scheduled to take place today before the Tribunal de Grande Instance in Nanterre. At issue is the possible reinstatement of this essential score in the private domain.
WEBINAR VIDEO | A must-use tool for all businesses, to be handled with knowledge and caution to avoid any damage
During this webinar, Sophie Lens and Julie Peeters identify some of the issues associated with AI use within a company (such as with data protection, intellectual property and/or trade secrets) and look at the solutions that can be used in practice to deal with them and enable your company to reap AI’s full benefits while reducing the related risks.
AI: A must-use tool for all businesses, to be handled with knowledge and caution to avoid any damage
During our next IP(up)Date, Sophie Lens and Julie Peeters will identify some of the issues associated with AI use within the company (such as with data protection, intellectual property and/or trade secrets) and look at the solutions that can be used in practice to deal with them and enable your company to reap AI’s full benefits while reducing the related risks.
How are the rules relating to the advertising and marketing of alcoholic beverages applied by Belgium’s Advertising Ethics Board?
Join us for a review of the Advertising Ethics Board’s decision-making practice in this respect by Mathieu Maniet and Nicolas Clarembeaux.
How are the rules relating to the advertising and marketing of alcoholic beverages applied by Belgium’s Advertising Ethics Board?
Join us for a review of the Advertising Ethics Board’s decision-making practice in this respect by Mathieu Maniet and Nicolas Clarembeaux.
WEBINAR VIDEO | Geographical Indications for craft and industrial products: navigating the new EU legal framework
During this webinar, Olivier Vrins and Bart Junior Bollen walk you through the new EU Regulation on GIs for craft and industrial products.
Belgium’s Harmonic Discord on related rights
For the first time, the CJEU has been asked to clarify the temporal applicability of the right to “appropriate and proportionate remuneration” laid down in Article 18 of Directive (EU) 2019/790 on copyright and related rights in the Digital Single Market (“DSM Directive”).
Belgium aims for hospitals to increase their biosimilars uptake
Despite many initiatives by the (former) Minister of Health, the uptake of biosimilars in Belgium has remained rather low. In this blog, we summarise the new rules, which apply since 2 October 2023.
IP UPDATE | Geographical Indications for craft and industrial products: navigating the new EU legal framework
Join us for an insightful webinar about the new EU Regulation on geographical indications (GIs) for craft and industrial products, freshly adopted on 9 October 2023.