Joris Deene
A heavy fine from the Data Protection Authority (GBA) can be a severe blow, especially if your organization is already struggling financially. You can appeal to the Markets Court, but does that appeal suspend the...
Can the opposing party require you to submit the funding agreement for your lawsuit?
A litigant who does not have the resources to litigate can turn to an outside investor called a third-party litigation funder. This third-party funder funds court costs in...
What may your former employer do with your professional e-mail and mobile phone after you leave?
The end of an employment contract often raises practical questions, especially in a digital world. One of the most common is: what happens to my professional e-mail account and cell phone number? The Belgian...
Can any yellow stitching on a shoe considered trademark infringement?
A ruling by the Brussels Court of Appeal dated Sept. 30, 2025 sheds an illuminating light on the protection of iconic fashion features, such as the famous yellow stitching and sole pattern of Dr. Martens boots...
Can a mayor use the municipality's contact list for his private project?
A public mandate comes with great responsibility, especially in the area of data protection. A Data Protection Authority (GBA) decision of Oct. 10, 2025 (No. 163/2025) creates...
May I film the police and post the footage online?
Filming police interventions with a smartphone is a common phenomenon. The question, however, is where to draw the line between the right to information and criminal offenses. A ruling by the court of first...
Can I be convicted of IT forgery f I did not mean to harm anyone?
Yes, you can absolutely be convicted of forgery of information, even if you did not intend to harm anyone specifically. What counts is fraudulent intent: the intent to create for yourself or another person a...
When is an online scoring system for complaint management illegal?
An online complaint platform can be a useful tool for consumers, but it can also be a source of great frustration for businesses. A statement by the president of the Francophone...
New EDPB guidelines DMA & GDPR on the way: why every Belgian company should pay attention
The European Commission and the European Data Protection Board (EDPB) published on Oct. 9, 2025 joint draft guidelines on the interaction between the Digital Markets Regulation (DMA) and the General...
Does a pharmaceutical company have to report the exporting countries when applying for a manufacturing waiver?
A ruling by the Dutch-speaking business court in Brussels brings clarity to the information obligation for producers of biosimilar drugs who wish to use the so-called...
The EU's 'Apply AI' strategy: a legal breakthrough or a paper tiger?
The European Commission today unveiled its long-awaited "Apply AI" strategy, an ambitious plan to accelerate the adoption of artificial intelligence across the Union. The strategy recognizes that the...
Can police use a child's fake profile to catch online offenders?
An October 7, 2025 ruling by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) confirms that police may, under strict conditions, use a fictitious profile of a minor in an online chat room to...
Can a company sell your personal data in the event of a takeover?
In a business takeover or the sale of a business activity, not only buildings and contracts are transferred, but often an entire customer base. What then happens to your personal data? A judgment...
Is the Italian AI law an example for Belgium?
Italy has become the first EU member state to pass a comprehensive national law on Artificial Intelligence (AI) that goes beyond the European AI Act. This law, which comes into force on Oct. 10, 2025, implements...
My supplier prohibits me from hiring his staff: is such a non-solicitation clause valid?
A non-solicitation clause in a contract with a supplier or service provider can cause surprises, especially if you want to hire a talented employee of that partner. The question is whether a...
Can OLAF harm you with a press release, even without mentioning your name?
A press release from a European institution such as the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) can cause significant damage to a person's reputation, career and health, even if the person is not...
Can an artist simply terminate their collaboration with their gallery?
An artist who terminates the collaboration with his gallery owner after a successful start, can this be done just like that? Yes, in most cases it can, even immediately and without severance pay. A ruling by the Court of...
Can Meta just reset your choice of chronological feed?
No, the choice a user makes on Facebook or Instagram for an unprofiled, chronological timeline must be permanent. Automatically switching back to an algorithmic feed is a forbidden "dark...
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