Praised for its ‘vast network of foreign correspondents’, Crowell & Moring has developed a strong market reputation in cross-border litigation and the design and implementation of strategies for national and multi-jurisdictional IP disputes. Accomplished trade mark litigator Kristof Roox chairs the practice and is known for his prowess in cross-border enforcement mandates. Jan-Diederik Lindemans and Jurgen Figys are praised for their strength in ‘navigating Belgian IP litigation which is not always firmly established by case law’. Sari Depreeuw is trusted by national, European and international clients to handle mandates pertaining to issues such as copyright and neighbouring rights. The IP dimension of NFTs is an area of strength for Matteo Mariano. Edward Taelman, previously at Allen & Overy LLP joined the team in March 2024 with particular expertise in trademark litigation.

Pan-European IP boutique HOYNG ROKH MONEGIER is a popular address for clients from the life sciences, tech and telecoms industries and media companies in need of regulatory advice, assistance with securing and defending IP portfolios, and work connected to trade mark litigation. Managing partner of the Brussels office Liesbeth Weynants is a key contact for patent litigation, particularly in the life sciences sector. Fabienne Brison has a focus on advising on the interests of intellectual property rights holders, while cross-border patent litigation is a particular area of competency for Steven Cattoor. Tim Robrechts and Ine Letten are further key contacts.

Described as ‘the best pan-European IP team in Europe’, independent IP litigation firm VAN INNIS & DELARUE is a particularly popular destination for clients from the designer goods and media and entertainment sectors, and the team has a strong focus on handling contentious soft IP work from the plaintiff’s side. In Antwerp, Dieter Delarue co-chairs the practice and is described as an ‘absolute star in IP jurisprudence’, who possesses a ‘strong future-proof outlook’. Brussels-based practitioner Thierry Van Innis is an authority on trade mark litigation, an area in which ‘rising star’ Anthony Van Der Planken is also a name to note.

Patent litigation, contentious and non-contentious trade mark matters and the negotiation and drafting of IP agreements and transactions are all key areas for the intellectual property practice at Allen & Overy LLP. Practice head Peter Van Dyck‘s practice straddles strategic IP litigation and transactional work with an IP component, and Geert Glas has a proven track record in cross-border IP litigation and also works as an arbitrator for the World Intellectual Property Organization. Tine Carmeliet further extends the contentious and advisory experience at the firm. Edward Taelman left the firm in March 2024.

With specific expertise across the social media, consumer goods, and gambling sectors, CMS assists clients with an array of mandates related to trade marks, unfair competition issues and consumer protection work. The team is also well placed to handle IP disputes and arbitration proceedings. Tom Heremans and Renaud Dupont share leadership duties; Heremans' varied practice extends to domain name disputes, while Dupont’s trade mark and patent expertise is frequently relied upon by multinationals in the media and chemicals sectors. Lisbeth Depypere is praised for her ‘creative and nuanced presentation at trial’.

Boutique firm Inteo is equipped to handle IP litigation across the intellectual property spectrum, with the firm assisting a varied client base with mandates relating to patents, trade marks, plant variety rights and other forms of IP. Mechelen-based Kristof Neefs and Sofie Cubitt head up the practice; Neefs' far-reaching practice is notably active in patent litigation, while Cubitt’s copyright expertise is relied upon by multinationals and publishers. Thomas Baetens is well versed in the the copyright implications of downloading and streaming content.

Simont Braun‘s established IP practice encompasses trade mark infringement cases, life sciences and telecoms patent litigation, copyright cases for cable television operators, and geographical indication protection work. Team co-head Eric De Gryse frequently handles domestic and international litigation and is sought out by clients from the pharmaceuticals and engineering industries. Fellow co-lead Emmanuel Cornu has recently received instructions from international clients in the luxury sector relating to trade mark strategies. ‘Seasoned practitioner’ Fernand de Visscher has expertise in patent litigation, while registered UPC representative Michaël De Vroey, who joined from Baker McKenzie CVBA/SCRL in January 2023, is another name to note.

The fully trilingual Brussels IP group at Taylor Wessing handles advisory and contentious work regarding copyrights, trade marks and patents for a broad range of knowledge-based and high-tech businesses. The team, in conjunction with other European offices of the firm, is also involved in some of the first cases of UPC litigation. Practice co-head Christian Dekoninck centres his practice on patent litigation and is sought out by clients from the life sciences and telecoms sectors. Patricia Cappuyns, described as ‘very capable and a good choice in the Belgian legal market’, rounds off the leadership team; her practice extends to the representation of clients in European Commission investigations. Marie Keup heads up the Brussels soft IP practice.

Baker McKenzie CVBA/SCRL‘s IP practice incorporates expertise in global trade mark portfolio management, copyright advice and strategic patent planning and enforcement work. The unit is also known for its established IP litigation strength and ability to coordinate the IP aspects of transactional work. Antwerp-based Koen De Winter co-heads the team and has a broad advisory and contentious practice that extends to trade mark infringement actions and deign infringement proceedings. Elisabeth Dehareng has a focus on assisting clients with the underlying IP issues relating to new technologies including AI and the metaverse.  Romanie De Pelsemaeker is a further name to note.

The ‘small but highly efficient team’ at CAPE IP Law is praised for being able to handle a broad spectrum of contentious and advisory work. The practice is best known for handling IP litigation involving patents, trade marks, designs and copyrights. Domestic and international clients hail from sectors including the electronics, pharmaceuticals and construction industries. Ghent-based Véronique Pede is an authority on patent law, while Camille Vansteenkiste is well placed to advise domestic and international companies on various IP matters.

Petillion pulls together a strong offering with contentious work (including ADR) concerning trade marks and domain names key areas of particular strength. Flip Petillion heads up the team, and has a varied practice, which straddles disputes and enforcement issues, licensing work and advertising clearances. Jan Janssen has longstanding experience of handling domestic and cross-border IP disputes, notably for clients from the life sciences, media and telecoms sectors.

The ‘excellently balanced team’ at Van Bael & Bellis covers contentious and non-contentious work concerning patents, trade marks and copyrights, and is a key destination for clients from the life sciences and music industries. Mandates connected to digital market platforms and software protection are additional areas of strength. Peter L’Ecluse leads the practice alongside Thibaut D’hulst; the former is regularly tasked with patent litigation in the life sciences sector, while the latter handles the IP compliance dimension of  projects involving new technologies. Gert-Jan Fraeyman is highlighted for his expertise in IP transfer agreements.

A key destination for clients from the fashion, broadcasting and advertising sectors, AdaStone Law is equipped to manage IP portfolios of all sizes, assist clients with global IP strategies and handle transactional work. Contentious work, such as IP litigation, oppositions and cancellation actions, is another strong suit. Agnès Macqua and Hannah Tacheny jointly lead the team; Macqua frequents works at the nexus between the audiovisual sector and IP, while Tacheny’s practice extends to negotiating with collective right management organisations and drafting trade licence agreements. Katrien Maris and Charlotte Beeckmans are further names to note.

Trade mark portfolio management, IP advice regarding film productions and third-party transfer and licence agreements stand out as areas of activity for the team of ‘leading specialists’ at ASTREA. In Antwerp, practice co-head Olivier Van Fraeyenhoven is a key contact for clients from the automotive sector. Brussels-based co-head Christine De Keersmaeker‘s varied practice includes assisting clients with the safeguarding of worldwide trade mark rights and handling litigation connected to copyright ownership. Thaïsssa Nuyens frequently provides key support to De Keersmaeker with the two described as an ‘excellent team‘ and ‘satisfying and reassuring to work with’.

As an ‘IP boutique with a strong and close-knit team‘, IP Porta‘s contentious and non-contentious practice in Sint Martens-Latem has expertise in copyrights and trade marks, patent litigation and IP audits. Co-chair Karen Ongena is described as an ‘excellent legal expert and litigator’ and is a key contact for technology and media clients. Laurence Hubert completes the leadership team and is praised for combining ‘creative solutions’ with excellent and detailed technical IP knowledge.

A key address for clients from the design and entertainment industries, MVVP frequently handles disputes relating to issues such as injunctions, seizures and damages. The practice is also equipped to assist with IP strategy and contract negotiations. Co-chair Herman Croux is well acquainted with the intricacies of trade mark and plant variety rights. Peter Marx and Olivier Sasserath, who has a notable focus on the music and audiovisual sectors, complete the leadership group.

Nelissen Grade is well placed to assist with a host of copyright, trade mark, patent, and unfair competition matters and has recently seen an increase in instructions relating to trade secrets. Alexis Hallemans, who is praised for his 'keen understanding of business', heads up the practice and advises on issues such as copyright in the context of cable retransmissions. Melis Bulut further extends the copyright expertise at the practice.