Domaine de spécialisation
Admission au barreau
Expérience avec le système juridique
Expérience professionnelle
Through 20 years of practice, Bernard has gained considerable experience in all sectors of IP law, having handled cases concerning copyright, database rights, designs, patents, trade secrets, designations of origin, trademarks, trade names and domain names. However, Bernard’s expertise expands beyond the limits of core IP law, to encompass in particular the connected fields of (unfair) competition law and of contract law.Part of Bernard’s practice is geared towards litigation: he regularly handles opposition proceedings, infringement actions and seizures in matter of counterfeit, up to the ultimate level of judicial review (petitions for squashing before the Belgian Supreme Court, in team with Liedekerke’s attorney at the Cassation bar). Bernard has also acted in referrals for preliminary rulings before the Benelux Court of justice and the CJEU, and in statutes cancellation proceedings before the Constitutional Court (with Public law partner François Tulkens).
Further on, Bernard has gained extensive experience regarding IP related contracts: he drafts, negotiates, reviews and advises on a regular basis in relation to license agreements, publishing agreements, assignments of rights (including between employees and employers), IP pledges (securing the repayment of a credit), R&D, consortium and joint venture agreements