Belgium

The patent team at Allen & Overy is particularly active in the life sciences sector. Geert Glas heads the global IP practice. The firm acts for clients in both technology and life sciences sectors on litigious matters.

The IP practice at Altius is known for patent work especially in the life sciences sector and increasingly deals with regulatory disputes in the innovative drug and seed industries. A client from the pharmaceutical industry praises Christophe Ronse and Philippe de Jong for "pragmatic business-focused advice and high rate of success before the Belgian courts". Another notable practitioner is managing associate Sophie Lens who has particular expertise in patent litigation. Clients include Bayer Cropscience and SES Vanderhave.

Arnold & Siedsma offers a range of services with a focus on technical fields and acts for clients before the EPO. Nele D'Halleweyn leads the patent practice. Associate Yannick Philippaerts is known for work on infringement cases, Ruben Tavernier specialises in ICT and electronics and Remy van den Bosch focuses on practical application of physics. "They combine technical insights with their legal knowledge to provide us an excellent service," one client says. Over the past 12 months the firm has represented pharmaceutical and manufacturing companies before EPO. Clients include Samsung, Ioniqa technologies and Dynea.

Market feedback shows the patent practice at Crowell & Moring is very strong, and managing partner Kristof Roox is picked out for his litigation skills. Roox works alongside Jan-Diederik Lindemans who mainly assists clients in the chemical and biotechnology sectors. Associate Jurgen Figys is a trained biomedical scientist and assists in many contentious cases in the life sciences, healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors. Clients include Eurogenerics, Sandoz and Ajinomoto.

Ludivine Coulon heads the patent practice at Gevers, which provides services in both Belgium and France. There is individual praise for Cathy Kourgias who is described as a "nice person to work with who has knowledge about the topics and is very efficient".

Hoyng Rokh Monegier is known for patent litigation in the pharmaceutical and automotive sectors. Partner Carl De Meyer has extensive experience in patent law and works alongside junior practitioner Tim Robrechts who focuses on the firm's key sectors. "The team provided high quality legal and technical advice and developed a friendly working relationship, with excellent oral advocacy," says a client who used the firm in a patent infringement case and praises Steven Cattoor, Eva de Pauw and Johann Elkenbracht for "brilliant legal analysis, attention to detail, superb technical skills and quality argumentation". The firm has landed new clients in the past year including Mundipharma and Saint Jude Medical.

The patent team at Simont Braun is known for handling complex litigation in the life sciences, mechanical engineering and chemical sectors, often working alongside offices in other jurisdictions. Fernand de Visscher and Eric De Gryse are key practitioners at the firm's Belgian office. A junior practitioner to watch is Philippe Campolini who often participates in life sciences and automotive cases. The firm continues to represent ArcelorMittal, Pierre Fabre Medicaments and Valeo.

Stibbe has a strong track record in patent disputes and related issues in a broad range of sectors which include biotechnology, automobiles and finance. The team has experience with multi-jurisdictional cases. Ignace Vernimme is recognised by peers as a strong individual with particular expertise in the pharmaceutical industry.

Altius is Managing IP's Contentious Firm of the Year (2017). The IP team is led by Paul Maeyaert who is known for advising media and entertainment sector companies. A tobacco industry client says it received "timely, high quality" trade mark service from the team. There is individual praise for Olivier Vrins: "His knowledge of IP, regulatory and litigation is outstanding. He is a true gem among EU lawyers." Case studies show the team representing FMCG brands in contentious trade mark matters.

Baker McKenzie is Managing IP's Global Firm of the Year (2017). The firm's Belgian IP team is particularly active in soft IP litigation. Head of IP Koen De Winter is experienced in trade mark and designs. A practitioner to watch is Michaël De Vroey. He is involved in some of the firm's recent trade mark instructions. British American Tobacco is one of the companies the firm represents in trade mark matters, and in copyright the firm continues to advise Eurodisplay NV.

De Bandt is best known for representing right holders and collecting societies in copyright matters but it also advises on trade marks. The firm acts for TV stations, designers and publishers, among others. Jeff Keustermans is a prominent IP practitioner in the team.

Stijn Debaene and Hakim Haouideg are two key partners in Fieldfisher's IP team in Brussels. Case studies show both practitioners leading the team on contentious trade mark matters as well as copyright advisory work. Among the firm's clients are Vitra, Getty Images and August Storck.

Gevers is a Belgian firm with more than 115 years of experience. It also has an office in France and two smaller offices in Switzerland. Mounir Kadjaj heads the trade mark practice. There is individual praise for Benjamin Gevers and Bei Tang: "They are both very competent and supportive." A client who works with the firm on trade mark prosecution on a monthly basis says: "We received great service as they respond fast and are very professional. We work closely with them in order to protect our IP on a worldwide level."

Simont Braun is recommended in trade mark and copyright law. Emmanuel Cornu, Eric De Gryse and Jan Clinck are some of the notable practitioners for soft IP work. In trade marks, the team advises Laser Performance Europe, Velum and Spa Monopole, and Fermod in a design matter. The firm recently hired Julie Kever as an associate while Grégory Sorreaux left to join the law firm Thales. Former partner Laurent de Brouwer is now of counsel.