Patents are the most important indicator of a company’s powers of innovation
In 2016, the European Patent Office (EPO) granted a record number of patents. The USA submitted the most applications by far (40,076). Germany is placed second (25,086), while the Netherlands and Belgium occupy seventh (6,889) and twelfth (2,186) place respectively. But what does a patent say about a company’s powers of innovation? Continue reading
Finding a breakthrough against antibiotic resistance
It was less than a year ago when, brimming with enthusiasm, he opted for the uncertainty of a start-up. Chemist Andreas A. Bastian started his business AGILeBiotics on the Zernike campus of the University of Groningen. His aim is to achieve a breakthrough in the fight against antibiotic resistance: ‘We have since developed a technology that is protected by a patent both in Europe and in the USA, and that is crucial.’ Continue reading
Annemie Swinnen strengthens Leuven office
As of 1 January 2018, Annemie Swinnen has come to strengthen our branch in Leuven as European patent attorney. Annemie, a chemistry graduate, has an impressive track record. She worked as an all-round, in-house patent attorney and IP team manager in the chemical industry for many years.
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‘Patent pending’ works differently in Germany
Germany is by far the most important trade partner for Belgium and the Netherlands, particular because of the export market. Yet, we seldom realise that the rules there for the use of product markings such as ‘patent pending’ are generally much stricter. Continue reading
V.O. ‘top filer’ PCT
In its recently published IP Stars PCT Leaders report 2017, the magazine Managing Intellectual Property highlighted V.O. as a notable PCT top patent filer for the Netherlands. Managing Intellectual Property is the ultimate source of news and analysis on IP developments worldwide.
Recommended firm according to WTR 1000
Also for 2018, WTR 1000, the Number One research directory focusing on trademark practices and practitioners, ranked V.O. among the world’s leading trademark professionals. The firm “provides excellent advice and a wonderful service for Benelux and EU matters”. As a recommended individual, trademark attorney Noëlle Wolfs is highlighted as “a dab hand before the BOIP and EUIPO”, who has a gift for “hunting down and removing imitations from the market”.