Patents

Belgium has the reputation that patent dispute actions can take longer than in some of its neighbours. Nonetheless, our legal system offers an instrument by which, in a very short time – a few days or weeks – not only evidence of an alleged patent breach but also interim prohibitory measures can be obtained: the counterfeit seizure procedure.

Several of our IP lawyers have over twenty years’ experience with this efficient procedure, for which special knowledge and skills are required. By virtue of that experience and their ability to rely on a solid team, our IP lawyers can very quickly master case facts that are usually of great complexity both legally and technically.

This is not only necessary where they have to take rapid action on behalf of a patent holder in order to collect evidence and secure a seizure order but also where, as a matter of urgency, they are consulted by a distrainee and purported infringer who wishes to launch an urgent appeal against the seizure order issued against him. The case then has to be very quickly prepared to go before the seizures court for a hearing of both parties.

We also have extensive experience in multi-jurisdictional patent disputes where parallel proceedings are conducted in several countries on the basis of corresponding patent rights.

Our IP lawyers have the skills to master technologically complex patent disputes, working alone or, as is usual, with the assistance of accredited patent agents.

Our clients include world-leading pharmaceutical and industrial companies. We have handled patent disputes in a broad range of sectors, such as biotechnology, medical equipment, pharmaceuticals, the automobile industry, construction materials etc.