IP Cafe - Beware the IP Rights of others!

De Clercq & Partners (DCP) invites you to a small and friendly after-work session on navigating the IP Rights of others, combining the benefits of a short and focused presentation, informal discussions, and networking.
Topics:
Understanding and evaluating the IP position of products, processes or services that are being researched, developed and commercialized by your company has become increasingly important. If a patented technology is exploited without permission, the patent holder may seek measures to cease such infringement and potentially claim damages. If your product’s brand is likely to cause confusion with an earlier trade mark or trade name, you may well have to recall your product, pay indemnities and start building market recognition from scratch again. Also, the so-called “seven differences” between product designs are a dangerous myth with possibly serious consequences.
Therefore, it is essential prior to or during research and development stages to assess whether the (planned) activities may potentially infringe existing patents, trade marks, designs or other types of IP rights. Where patent landscaping provides a bird’s-eye view of the patenting activity in your field of technology, freedom-to-operate (FTO) analyses investigate whether a specific product, process or service may run the risk of infringing third-party IP rights. This seminar will offer further insights into the different types of analyses of third-party IP rights and address the various actions you can take to minimize the risk of infringement.
Who should join?
- Technology Transfer Officers
- CTOs, CSOs, CEOs
- IPR Managers
- Patent Prosecutors
- Inventors
- Investors
- Lawyers
- Business and communication consultants
When and where?
Three options:
- On September 14, 2015 in our Leuven / Heverlee office (add to your calendar, and subscribe by clicking here);
- On September 15, 2015 in our Ghent / Latem office (add to your calendar, and subscribe by clicking here);
- We offer the possibility to suggest a date by reply of e-mail, and to indicate that you would like us to give a seminar on IP rights of others at your own company premises.
Refreshments are served from 16.30h. The sessions start at 17.00h, and conclude at 18.30h, after which you can engage in discussions, and network with colleagues in different fields.
Registration is free of charge, but subscription is mandatory. Kindly subscribe using the above links.
About the speakers:
Andrej Michalík is a qualified European Patent Attorney at DCP. He holds a Master of Science in Chemistry and Biochemistry, and a PhD in Molecular Genetics. Andrej often lectures at conferences and is a member of LES and AIPPI. His main areas of practice include the drafting, filing and prosecution of applications world-wide, up to the level of opposition and appeal proceedings. Andrej is also very skilled in IP due diligence and providing opinions regarding patentability, freedom-to-operate, infringement and validity of IP rights.
Kris Pappaert is a qualified European Patent Attorney at DCP. He holds a Master of Science in Bio-engineering Sciences and a PhD in Applied Sciences. Since 2014, Kris is a guest lecturer on Intellectual Property at the Vrije Universteit Brussel (VUB) where he introduces Intellectual Property matters to students in Master of Science in Bio-Engineering Sciences. His main areas of practice include the drafting, filing and prosecution of applications world-wide, up to the level of opposition and appeal proceedings. Kris is very skilled in Patent literature searching and analysis’ such as client-tailored 'Patent Landscape' studies for detailed reviews of R&D trends, technology scouting or strategic portfolio alignment.
Joost Muylle is a partner at DCP as well as leading our Trademark and Design department. He is a qualified Benelux and European Trademark and Design Attorney and holds a Master in Chemical and Biotechnology Engineering with additional training in IP and management. Joost often lectures on several IP related topics at conferences and universities. He is a member of BMM, AIPPI and a board member of the Belgian Group of AIPPI. He has extensive expertise in trademark and design prosecution, including formal proceedings before the Benelux Office for Intellectual Property and the Office for the Harmonization in the Internal Mark, in anti-counterfeiting through customs measures and in IP due diligence. Joost often acts as a court appointed or party appointed expert in IP matters in litigation.
Eva Schelfaut is a qualified Benelux and European Trademark and Design Attorney at DCP. She holds a Master in Law, a subsequent LL.M. in Intellectual Property and a Master of Economic Law. Eva has extensive experience in trademark and design prosecution, including formal proceedings before the Benelux Office for Intellectual Property and the Office for the Harmonization in the Internal Market, in opposition matters, infringement and enforcement cases. Eva provides clients with strategic and hands-on advice on the protection, maintenance and management of small and large trademark and design portfolios and she also assists in negotiations and drafting agreements relating to Intellectual Property. She also gained experience dealing with domain name conflicts and counterfeiting issues.
We hope to meet you on one of these occasions!
