Joris Deene
Have you, as a consumer or business, suffered damage as a result of anti-competitive behavior on an online platform? On December 2, 2025 (C-34/24), the Court of Justice of the European Union handed down an important ruling...
Is your commercial cooperation agreement null and void in the event of tacit renewal?
Many commercial contracts, such as franchise or concession agreements, are tacitly renewed if no one gives notice. But did you know that the person granting the right (e.g., the franchisor) may also terminate such a...
E-invoicing from 2026: the end of invoice disputes or a new legal trap?
From Jan. 1, 2026, the structured electronic invoice (e-invoice) will become the standard for transactions between companies liable for VAT in Belgium. This obligation, introduced to close the VAT gap and...
Errors in JustRestart: Is the software vendor liable for delays in your case?
Since the digitization of court proceedings, communication in collective debt settlements is mandatory through the platform JustRestart. When technical errors or ‘bugs’ in this system...
May you call a drink ‘non-alcoholic gin’?
The rise of alcohol-free alternatives is unstoppable, but legal pitfalls lurk. On Nov. 13, 2025, the Court of Justice of the European Union ruled that the designation “non-alcoholic...
Is a goodwill fee due upon termination of the commercial agency due to exceptional circumstances?
When a commercial agency agreement is terminated because cooperation has become impossible (exceptional circumstances), this does not automatically mean that the commercial agent's right to a...
Is the bank liable for phishing if I passed on the codes myself?
Victims of phishing often get zero response from their banks when they ask for refunds. The bank then often relies on ‘gross negligence’ because the customer himself passed on codes ...
Is compliance with the AI Act enough? The impact of the DMA and Data Act on AI
Many companies are currently focusing exclusively on the new AI Act to legally seal up their artificial intelligence. However, this is a misconception: the AI Act does not stand alone, but is part...
May a data broker resell personal data based on an old contract?
Data brokers and marketing companies often rely on outdated databases and general terms and conditions from the past to trade personal data. The Belgian Data Protection Authority (GBA), in a...
Patent revoked after injunction: Can you claim compensation for lost profits?
When a company is barred from the market through summary proceedings based on a patent that is later declared invalid, the question arises as to who pays for the financial loss. Can the barred party pay the...
May the police retain your DNA and fingerprints indefinitely when a crime is suspected?
The processing of sensitive personal data, such as DNA and fingerprints, by police departments balances on the line between effective law enforcement and citizen privacy. The Court of Justice of the...
Can you stop slander and defamation by means of a claim ‘as in summary proceedings’?
When your reputation is at stake due to defamatory statements in the media, the temptation is to seek an injunction in court through the fastest possible procedure. Yet caution is advised: the...
Is a municipality liable when an official unlawfully consults the National Register?
When a municipal official looks into the National Register out of personal curiosity or without a valid reason, not only is the official at fault, but often the municipality itself. According to a decision by the...
Can private use of social media lead to dismissal for urgent reasons?
In today's digital age, the line between private life and work is increasingly blurred. Many employees wonder whether controversial statements made on Facebook or X (formerly Twitter) can lead to dismissal....
Can a wine brand refer to a well-known wine region?
When a trademark owner chooses a name that refers in part to a well-known region, it often clashes with the strict protection of Protected Designations of Origin (PDOs). Can you simply use the term “Provence”...
Should online marketplaces like Amazon follow stricter rules under the Digital Services Act?
Amazon recently challenged its designation as a ‘very large online platform’ (VLOP) in the General Court of the European Union. The key question was whether an online marketplace may be subject to the strictest...
Can an employer install cameras to monitor staff permanently?
No, an employer may not install cameras for the primary purpose of permanently monitoring employee performance or attitude. Camera surveillance in the workplace is strictly regulated by Collective Bargaining Agreement No. 68 and...
Can I demand that my ex-partner no longer use our old stage name?
You used to have a successful band or artistic partnership, but the ways have been separated for years. Now you find that your former partner is still performing or releasing work under the old joint name. Can ...
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