Protection of Intellectual Property

Belgium's intellectual property laws differ somewhat from those of the US. AWEX provides emerging companies with resources that can be of great help when starting up or expanding in Wallonia.

Belgium is a member of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), the international body for the protection of IPR and the administration for most international IP agreements. For more information, please visit the Short Guide to International IPR Treaties. For assistance with IPR issue, contact the IPR Helpdesk.

The European Patent Office (EPO) provides a uniform application procedure for individual inventors and companies seeking patent protection in up to 37 European countries. It is the executive arm of the European Patent Organisation and is supervised by the Administrative Council .

In Belgium, application for a European or international patent may be done at the Office for Intellectual Property.

See also Protection of Intellectual Property in the EU from an American Perspective (Walloniatech seminar 2007)