We are delighted to welcome Emily Van Mulders as a new and talented member of our team! Emily joins De Clercq & Partners as a Trademark & Design Attorney Trainee at our prestigious Hasselt office. With one year of valuable experience at the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), where she served as a Pan-European Seal Trainee, Emily brings expertise and dedication to her role. Her background in the sector and her passion for Intellectual Property make her a valuable addition to our team. Welcome to the team, Emily!
AI Act: Brussels Has Not Banned AI - It Has Simply Asked Us to Pay Attention
Anyone who still believes that artificial intelligence operates in a legal vacuum has probably spent the past two years somewhere without Wifi. The European AI Act is now very much with us and, since 2 August 2026, a number of its rules have become directly relevant to businesses that do not build AI systems, train foundation models or employ rooms full of data scientists. They simply use AI. In other words: almost everyone.
Anne-Lore Bex and Filip Van Lysebetten qualify as European Patent Attorneys
De Clercq & Partners is delighted to announce that Anne-lore Bex and Filip Van Lysebetten have successfully passed the European Qualifying Examination (EQE) and are now officially qualified as European Patent Attorneys.
Passing the EQE is a significant professional achievement, requiring extensive technical expertise, legal knowledge and years of dedicated preparation. As European Patent Attorneys, Anne-Lore and Filip are qualified to represent clients before the European Patent Office (EPO), providing strategic advice and guidance throughout the European patent process.
Ann De Clercq recognised in Managing IP's Top 250 Women in IP 2026
De Clercq & Partners is proud to announce that our founding partner, Dr. Ann De Clercq, has once again been recognised in Managing IP's Top 250 Women in IP 2026.
