Joris Deene
Generative AI systems are "trained" by analyzing vast amounts of data. From this data, which often consists of copyrighted material, the AI learns patterns and styles to create its own...
Can a well-known brand like Pink Lady ban the use of its name on vapes?
When a very well-known brand, associated with healthy products such as fruit, suddenly appears on the packaging of electronic cigarettes, the question arises: can the brand owner just forbid it? Yes, absolutely. A...
Can a Russian company still apply for a trademark or patent in the EU?
No, since June 2024, it has become basically impossible for Russian citizens, residents and companies to apply for new intellectual property rights, such as trademarks or patents, within the European Union....
After the end of a distribution contract, are you permitted to launch a similar product and packaging?
A long-term partnership between a manufacturer and its distributor ends. The distributor decides to market its own competing product in packaging very similar to the previous one. This...
Can I claim compensation for anxiety and stress after a data breach?
Yes, the Court of Justice of the European Union has confirmed that negative feelings such as fear, stress or dissatisfaction following a breach of your personal data may entitle you to compensation. The mere fear ...
Can the landlord of a property be sued for trademark infringement by his tenant?
A tenant is using the name and logo of a well-known brand for its catering business, which constitutes clear trademark infringement. Can the owner-landlord of the premises also be sued for this? Yes, a recent...
When is my webshop a very large online platform under the DSA?
The European Digital Services Act (DSA) imposes strict obligations on "very large online platforms" (VLOPs). A September 3, 2025 ruling by the European General Court in the case of Zalando v...
Can you stop a competitor who copies only some parts of your product?
Suppose you market a modular product, such as a construction game. A competitor sells a similar product, but copies only some of your unique, protected parts. Does this "minor" infringement constitute...
Can you call your product "unmatched" in advertising?
The use of superlatives in advertising is a time-tested marketing tactic. But where is the line between laudatory commendation and prohibited comparative advertising? According to a ruling by the Brussels Court of Appeal...
Can my landlord place cameras in the communal kitchen?
A landlord who installs cameras in and around a dorm to monitor tenants is violating privacy laws. The Data Protection Authority (GBA), in a decision dated 4...
When is pseudonymized data still personal data?
Transferring data after identifying characteristics such as a name have been removed is an everyday practice. But when is this "pseudonymized" information still considered a...
Is a digital share register legally valid in Belgium?
Moving to an electronic share register is a logical step in the digitization of business, but is it legally sound? Yes, a full-fledged electronic share register is legally...
Has the European General Court now definitively approved the transfer of data to the US?
Yes, for now it does. In a long-awaited ruling on Sept. 3, 2025, the European General Court completely rejected the first legal attack on the EU-US Data Privacy Framework (DPF). According to the General Court, the...
Unpaid royalties for a trademark license: which court has jurisdiction?
When a commercial partner fails to pay royalties for a trademark license, legal action is often inevitable. A crucial question then arises: which court has jurisdiction over this...
Can the Bolar exception stop an anti-counterfeiting seizure?
A holder of a patent or supplementary protection certificate (SPC) who suspects infringement can ask the court to execute a "seizure on counterfeiting. But what if the opposing party...
IT project failure: Is your supplier owed a result or just an effort?
When an IT project goes awry, deadlines are not met or software does not perform as promised, the crucial question often arises: what exactly could you expect from your IT vendor? The legal ...
Does a company have to confirm the deletion of my personal data?
You have asked a company to delete your personal data in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (AVG/GDPR), but then it remains deafeningly silent. Even if the company effectively deleted your data...
An electronic guarantee by the director of a company: is it valid?
When you sign a credit agreement as a director of a company, the bank often asks for a personal surety bond. The question arises whether such an electronically signed surety bond is legally valid and what...
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