Prior to joining V.O. in 2023 as a patent attorney, Patrick has been working as a European and Belgian patent attorney for more than 15 years, including 10 years as an in-house patent manager in industry.
Patrick gained experience in drafting and prosecuting patent applications in fields ranging from mechanical engineering, electro-mechanical engineering, medical devices, electronics, applied physics, to computer implemented inventions. He further gained experience in managing a global and worldwide patent portfolio, assessing validity of patent rights, freedom to operate studies, infringement analysis, and in providing general strategic and legal advice in IP matters.
Before working in the IP sector, Patrick worked as a researcher at the University of Leuven and at Argonne National Laboratory in US, and later on as a system engineer and a requirements manager in an R&D department of a Belgian company active in the field of radiotherapy and particle accelerators.
Working experience
European and Belgian Patent Attorney, V.O., Leuven Office (June 2023-present)
European and Belgian Patent Attorney, freelance IP consultant (2016-2023)
Patent engineer and Patent Attorney at IBA s.a., Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium (2008-2018)
R&D project management and systems engineering at IBA s.a., Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium (1998-2008)
Research Associate, Argonne National Laboratory, USA (1996-1998)
Postdoctoral researcher, University of Leuven, Nuclear Physics (1994-1996)
Education
2004 – Master in Industrial Business Management (EHSAL, Brussels)
1994 – PhD in Science, Physics (KU Leuven, Belgium),
1988 – Masters Degree in Physics (KU Leuven, Belgium)
Since October 17, V.O. can proudly call itself “Netherlands Patent Attorney Firm of the Year. On behalf of our firm, Sjoerd Postma and Marijke Westra received this honorable award from IAM and WTR in London, where all winners of the 2024 Global IP Award were announced.Continue reading
A research exemption is a provision in patent law that allows researchers to perform Research and Development (R&D) on patented inventions without infringing on the patent holder’s rights. In Belgium, the research exemption was one of the broadest in Europe until 31 May 2023.Continue reading
We are again proud of our recent recognitions by IP STARS (Managing IP) as a Tier 1 firm and for Belgium as a Tier 2 firm. And a Tier 3 listing for Trademark Prosecution. Individual recommendations as ‘IP Stars 2024’ are for Tamara Elmore, Bettina Hermann, Annemie Jaeken, Leo Jessen, Bernard Ledeboer, Marco Molling, Otto […]Continue reading
SMX Convention Center Manila, Seashell Lane, Pasay, National Capital Region, Philippines
The Asian Patent Attorneys Association (APAA) is a non-governmental organization dedicated to promoting and enhancing intellectual property protection in the Asian region (including Australia and New Zealand).
For innovative entrepreneurs or IP managers who wish to improve their intellectual property (IP) know-how, V.O. organizes a basic course on IP on Tuesday 5 November 2024 and an advanced course on Tuesday 10 December 2024. These courses will be given, in English, by our attorneys and feature many practical examples and skill trainings.