We build your intellectual property

We help you with

Patents

Protect your invention with a patent and prevent others from using it.

Trademarks

Register your trademark and protect your brand identity.

Designs

Secure your design and prevent others from copying it.

Domain Names

We register, protect, and manage domain names.

UP & UPC

Expert support for Unitary Patents and representation before the Unified Patent Court.

Copyright

Protect your creations — we secure and enforce your rights from day one.

KMO-portefeuille

Benefit from financial support through recognized Flemish subsidy programs.

UP & UPC

Expert support for Unitary Patents and representation before the Unified Patent Court.

Meet the team

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Partners

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Patent attorneys

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European patent litigators

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Trademark & design attorneys

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Patent advisers

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What’s new?

08 September 2026 General

Welcome to the team, Mathijs!

We are pleased to welcome Mathijs van Noort to De Clercq & Partners as a Patent Adviser / Trainee European Patent Attorney.

With his background in mathematics, engineering, computer science and AI, he will strengthen our Engineering, Software & AI team and contribute his expertise in areas including AI, software, IoT, medical devices, computer-implemented inventions, and various practical applications using software & AI.

We wish Mathijs a great start and look forward to working together!

G1/25: Enlarged Board of Appeal Narrows Requirement to Adapt Patent Descriptions After Claim Amendments

The Enlarged Board of Appeal of the European Patent Office (EPO) has issued its long-awaited decision G 1/25 on 3 September 2026, clarifying when patent applicants and proprietors must adapt the description and drawings of a patent after amending the claims. We refer to our earlier articles of 16 March 2026 and 5 August 2025 on this subject.

Koen Vanhalst has once again been recognised in the IAM Strategy 300

We are pleased to announce that our partner Koen Vanhalst has once again been recognised in the IAM Strategy 300: The World’s Leading IP Strategists 2026.

The IAM Strategy 300 identifies leading professionals who are recognised for their ability to develop and implement strategies that maximise the value of intellectual property.

Awards

Koen Vanhalst has once again been recognised in the IAM Strategy 300
Ann De Clercq recognised in Managing IP's Top 250 Women in IP 2026
De Clercq & Partners included in the Financial Times' ranking of Europe’s Leading Patent Law Firms 2026.
Joost Muylle recognised in the World Trademark Review Global Leaders 2026
De Clercq & Partners has once again been recognised in the IAM Patent 1000
Women in Business Law EMEA Awards 2026 – Shortlist