The Legal 500

For some, Altius (in co-operation with Tiberghien) is ‘the best law firm in Belgium for IP matters’; it provides ‘very punctual, accurate advice’, and has ‘in-depth knowledge of the pharmaceuticals industry’. In 2011, the firm represented Thermae Development Company in a trade mark infringement claim, brought by Belgian mineral water producer Spa Monople. Other clients include Nintendo, Swarovski and Breeders Trust. The three-partner team includes practice head Paul Maeyaert, who is ‘very knowledgeable and excellent in pleadings’, and life sciences specialist Christophe Ronse, who is ‘particularly good in patent cases’. Olivier Vrins and senior associate Philippe de Jong are also recommended.

Bird & Bird’s ‘excellent’ practice handles contentious and non-contentious IP matters, and gives ‘very good advice and expertise’. It recently won a complex patent licence dispute for AB InBev. The firm also acts for Belgacom and SITA (Suez Environment), as well as new clients Nestlé and Premier Technologies. Practice head Bruno Vandermeulen has over 20 years’ Belgian IP law experience. The ‘very bright’ Benoit Van Asbroeck gives comprehensive advice.

NautaDutilh’s IP lawyers give ‘swift responses, sound legal knowledge and good value for money’. This ‘very good’ team advised Peugeot-Citroën in Court of Appeal proceedings against distributors of non-original car body parts, and won a pitch to represent the Waloon Region in defending Saucisson d’Ardenne as a protected geographical indication. Practice head Philippe Péters is ‘particularly good; he has very good industry contacts and is nice to work with’. Tanguy de Haan is also recommended.

Simont Braun has a strong contentious IP practice, which covers disputes relating to trade marks, copyright, patents, designs, domain names and plant varieties. Eric de Gryse has a particular focus on patents and technology-related cases and trade mark law, while Fernand de Visscher also handles patent matters, as well as the protection of designs and artistic and literary works. The group’s expertise also encompasses seizure and piracy matters.

Allen & Overy LLP’s IP team provides ‘excellent service’, and recently represented eBay in proceedings with L’Oréal concerning eBay’s liability for the sale of L’Oréal products through its online platform. Filip Van Elsen heads the Belgian IP/IT department, and Geert Glas specialises in IP and ICT law with a focus on life sciences.

Baker & McKenzie’s IP department is led by Koen De Winter, who specialises in contentious and non-contentious IP, with an interest in cases relating to advertising and fair trade. His group recently represented leading Belgian telecommunications integrator Nextel in a trade mark and domain name infringement case. Other clients include Nokia, HP and Calvin Klein. Pierre Sculier is also recommended.

Covington & Burling LLP is recommended for IP matters pertaining to public policy, especially relating to EU or WTO developments. Recent work includes advising a company on IP issues relating to a product launch; and assisting trade group Eurimag, which represents the IT imaging and printing industry in Europe, in several copyright infringement cases. Practice head Alain Strowel is recommended for copyright cases.

At Crowell & Moring, Flip Petillion is ‘a respected authority in IP matters’; ‘he is up to speed on the latest developments and understands his clients’ businesses’. Kristof Roox and counsel Jan-Diederik Lindemans are also highly regarded: ‘their creative and bold tandem is an extremely efficient engine that drives a very capable practice.’ The team has a strong focus on patents and the pharmaceuticals industry, and is defending the Belgian interests of Ajinomoto, a Japanese company in the human and animal nutrition industry, in a global L-lysine patent dispute.

Hoyng Monégier LLP opened its doors in January 2011, and has carried over a strong reputation from its Howrey LLP heritage. This ‘strong’ team recently represented Nestlé in patent infringement proceedings launched by Unilever relating to bouillon products, and also acts for clients such as Procter & Gamble, TKS and SABAM. Practice head Carl De Meyer is very highly regarded. Liesbeth Weynants and two associates joined from NautaDutilh in October 2011.

Handling the full gamut of non-contentious and contentious IP, Liedekerke Wolters Waelbroeck Kirkpatrick has sector expertise in cosmetics, foods, chemicals and oil. The group has been representing Kraft Foods in a dispute relating to a major retailer’s launch of own-label items resembling Kraft’s products. Mireille Buydens has broad experience in patents, trade marks and copyright cases, and heads the IP/IT practice.

Marx, Van Ranst, Vermeersch & Partners represents a number of media clients, as well as design and fashion companies. The firm frequently handles patent prosecution and litigation. Peter Marx, Herman Croux and copyright expert Eric Laevens are recommended.

Stibbe is recommended for its ‘very good industry knowledge and appropriate advice’. It advised the Benelux Trademarks Office in several trade mark cases, and represented Ferrero in a trade mark dispute with McDonald’s over Kinder Happy Breakfast. Practice head Ignace Vernimme shows ‘professionalism and excellent knowledge’, and some regard him as ‘the best IP lawyer around’. The firm recently promoted Gunther Meyer to counsel, who specialises in patent litigation, biotechnology and pharmaceutical-related issues.

Ambos NBGO’s lawyers show a ‘hands-on approach and availability’, and the team’s knowledge and experience compare favourably to most other firms. It is advising on various non-contentious patent matters, including advising a patent holder on a €1bn deal with potential licensees. Kathleen Paisley is ‘a truly exceptional partner’, and Bart Vandereeckt is ‘very astute and an inventive litigator’.

CMS DeBacker recently represented steel producer Duferco in patent litigation against TPS Group and acted for international football associations FIFA and UEFA in various trade mark matters. Tom Heremans is a key contact, and is affiliated with a number of IP bodies such as the Benelux Trademark Association (of which he became president in 2011) and the Belgian Intellectual Property Council. Veerle Raus and Renaud Dupont are also recommended.

Clifford Chance focuses on the EU law and competition aspects of IP. In 2010, for example, it completed a case for the European Committee for Interoperable Systems in a complaint against Microsoft concerning anti-competitive practices and the refusal to supply interoperability information, which Microsoft claimed is protected by IP rights. Department head Thomas Vinje is the key contact.

DLA Piper has particular strength in contentious IP, and its clients include a global alcoholic beverages company and a major vehicle manufacturer. Louis Puts has extensive experience in counterfeiting, trade mark, patent and unfair competition litigation and is supported by a team of four associates.

Field Fisher Waterhouse ‘combines the proximity and rates of an IP boutique firm with the strengths and network of a Magic Circle firm’. The group, which has sector focuses in the consumer products, luxury goods, media and hi-tech industries, acts for prestigious clients such as eBay, Mobistar and Crocs. The highly regarded Stijn Debaene recently defended Telenet in a patent infringement claim concerning the Electronic Programming Guide. Counsel Thierry Van Innis is also recommended.

IP Porta is a ‘client-oriented’ boutique, where the advice is ‘certainly value for money’. Karen Ongena provides the ‘best strategic options at SME level’, and Laurence Hubert recently represented American consumer goods company International Edge in obtaining ex parte measures against consumer goods wholesaler Dock1 pertaining to the client’s design and trade mark rights. Design lighting company Modular and biofuel company Oleon are new clients.

Linklaters’ IP group provides ‘great expertise and out-of-the-box thinking’. The team is advising anilox manufacturer Simec Group in a cross-border patent infringement dispute. Other clients include Johnson & Johnson, Mars and McDonald’s. Counsel Pieter Van Den Broecke heads the practice, and is a ‘proactive and quick-thinking lawyer’.

Loyens & Loeff impresses with its ‘very quick response times, in-depth case knowledge, and to-the-point advice’ across the spectrum of IP, particularly cross-border cases. It recently advised longstanding client Carrefour in several IP-related conflicts. Practice head Yves Van Couter is ‘very efficient and available’, and counsel Hans Dhondt gives ‘comprehensive explanations and accurate legal advice’.

Lydian’s IP practice is led by Annick Mottet Haugaard, whose ‘knowledge of the local legal market is unparalleled and client care is perfect’. Recent highlights include providing a second opinion for Jaguar in a trade mark dispute dating back to 1996. Clients also include Burberrry, Swatch and Johnson & Johnson.

Monard – D’Hulst’s Daan De Jaeger represents international fashion houses, car manufacturers and luxury product manufacturers, including Christian Dior, Versace and Rolex, on a range of IP matters. Ben Hermans and Timothy Van de Gehuchte are also noteworthy practitioners.

Peter L’Ecluse leads Van Bael & Bellis’ IP team, which recently represented Canon and Sony in matters relating to counterfeit imports. The firm also advised an international pharmaceuticals company on strategies to defend products against patent claims by rivals.