Following two successful editions, DCPeloton is back in 2027.
From 29 March to 5 April 2027, IP professionals from around the world will come together in Flanders for a week combining cycling, professional connections, Belgian culture and some of the biggest moments on the international cycling calendar.
Created by and for the intellectual property community, DCPeloton brings together patent attorneys, trademark professionals, IP lawyers and industry experts who share a passion for cycling.
A week in the heart of cycling
The 2027 edition will take participants across the legendary roads of the Flemish Ardennes, with three organised rides and professional on-road and bike mechanic support.
This year, participants will also have the opportunity to ride alongside cycling legends Tom Boonen and Johan Museeuw.
The programme includes Dwars door Vlaanderen, an exclusive VIP experience at the Tour of Flanders at the Oude Kwaremont, and the option to participate in We Ride Flanders, followed by a well-deserved wellness experience.
Another highlight will be our special Roubaix Ride, finishing with a lap of the legendary Roubaix Velodrome and a shower in its iconic cycling showers — with the opportunity to hold the 2027 Roubaix cobblestone before it is awarded to the winner.
More than cycling
DCPeloton is about much more than the kilometres on the bike. Throughout the week, participants will have plenty of opportunities to connect with fellow IP professionals while enjoying carefully selected restaurants, Belgian hospitality and cultural activities, including a visit to the medieval city of Ghent.
Participants will stay for seven nights at Auberge du Pêcheur in Sint-Martens-Latem.
Interested in joining us?
Places are limited. Pre-register your interest by contacting us at dcpeloton@dcp-ip.com.
Unable to join for the entire week? Get in touch with us to explore a tailored schedule and participation package.
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.
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!
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.
The New EU Regulation on New Genomic Technique (NGT) Plants: What It Means for Patenting Plants in Europe
On June 17, 2026, the European Parliament adopted Regulation (EU) 2026/1388 on plants obtained by New Genomic Techniques (NGTs), which entered into force on July 16, 2026.
Negotiations for this new EU Regulation began after a CJEU decision in 2018, which ruled that plants obtained through targeted mutagenesis (such as the CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing technique) were captured by the Regulation on genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and all the strict requirements that entails, despite the fact that such NGT plants (cisgenesis and targeted mutagenesis) scientifically differ from traditional GMOs (transgenesis) in that they do not necessarily contain “foreign DNA”.
