Award from Managing IP
On 1 May 1, the British magazine Managing IP once again presented its annual awards in London to IP firms worldwide for their achievements in the field of intellectual property.
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Herman Witmans and Leo Jessen retire from V.O.
Today, partners Herman Witmans and Leo Jessen retire. This marks the end of impressive careers in which they dedicated themselves with great commitment for 36 and 34 years respectively to clients, colleagues, and the development of the patent attorney profession.
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A new direction for AI patents in the US
Artificial intelligence (AI) is the driving force behind innovation in countless sectors. But how do you protect these breakthroughs? This issue can be particularly complex in the United States.
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Patents as tickets to tax benefits
Both in the Netherlands and Belgium, innovation deductions offer significant tax benefits for companies investing in R&D. The Dutch Innovation Box works through a reduced tax rate on profits from innovation, while Belgium uses the innovation deduction to fully exempt a percentage of these profits. It pays for innovative companies to explore these opportunities.
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Exciting finals Erasmus University Challenge
Last Thursday 22 January, the finals of the Erasmus University Challenge took place, with V.O.'s Raimondo Cau as one of the jury members. From biodegradable glitter to nitrate-cleaning technology: students from Erasmus University Rotterdam proved during the Erasmus University Challenge that bold ideas can bring about real change.
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IP rights watch: avoid surprises
As an entrepreneur, you are constantly innovating and building your brand. But do you also keep track of what your competitors are doing in the IP field? Professional monitoring of patents and trademarks keeps you informed and prevents costly surprises.
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Your patent portfolio in safe hands: timely payment of annual fees
Your patent is a valuable intellectual asset that protects the core of your innovation and competitive advantage. Maintaining that protection is essential and requires meticulous management. An important aspect, for example, is the periodic timely payment of annual fees. Missing a payment deadline can lead to complications, additional costs and, in the worst case, even the loss of patent rights.
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Awards for innovation
The importance of innovation was emphasised again this year by the awarding of the 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry and the ‘Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel’ — often referred to as the Nobel Prize in Economics.
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Book ‘Experimental Use and Bolar Exemptions’
Recently, the book Experimental Use and Bolar Exemptions (ISBN 9789403518695) was published in the AIPPI Law series. It provides a comparative overview for legislators, lawyers, and companies on the scope of patent protection, with a focus on two important exceptions: the exemption for experimental use and the Bolar exemption.
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The role of patents in toys
As this newsletter hits the (digital) doormat, children around the world are preparing for the holiday season. In the Netherlands and Belgium we follow the Sinterklaas news closely, while elsewhere children still have to be patient until Santa makes his appearance.
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