Axel Clerens
Axel Clerens is a member of the Brussels Bar Association since 2005 and has over 15 years of cross-border experience in the areas of Intellectual Property, Information Technology and Commercial law, both transactionally and in dispute resolution.
He is fluent in Dutch, English and French.
Expertise
Axel has substantial experience in the following areas, both in-house (Econocom, Delhaize, Puratos, Bridgestone, Johnson & Johnson) and in private practice:
- Trademarks, Copyrights & Media
- Information Technology
- e-commerce
- Commercial contracts
- International Contracts & EU Projects (H2020 – Horizon Europe)
- Gaming & Betting
- Litigation & Arbitration
Axel has successfully represented numerous leading national and international companies from various industries, including in the IT/software, automotove, luxury, fast moving consumer goods and pharmaceutical sectors. He is also an active member of the Benelux association for Trademark- and Designlaw (BMM) and of the European Communities Trademark Association (ECTA). He is a regular speaker at national and international law conferences on topics related to Intellectual Property.
Professional experience
- Since 2016 Clerens law firm, Brussels;
- 2013-2016: Partner IP/IT/Commercial at Wayfare law firm, Brussels;
- 2009-2013: Associate IP/IT at Crowell & Moring, Brussels;
- 2005-2009: Associate IP/IT, NautaDutilh, Brussels.
Education
Axel graduated cum laude as Bachelor in Law at the University of Namur (2000) and as Master in Law at the University of Louvain (KUL) in 2003. He subsequently first followed an individual program in marketing, psychology and philosophy (2004) and later earned a Master of Laws (LL.M) at Duke University School of Law, North Carolina.
Publications
- “Brexit: Important Trademark Considerations”, ODC Newsletter EU Regulatory & Trade Law, 19 December 2019 (with M. Vanderhaeghe)
- “Duiding Kansspelen 2014”, Larcier, Gent, 2015, 332 p. (CLERENS, A., DECORTE, J., HOEKX, N., NOEL, V., PANIS, W., SMET, G., VAN BAEVEGEM, P.).
- “De gegronde redenen van de merkhouder in de Europese rechtspraak” (in collaboration with F. PETILLION) in Bull. BMM 2013, afl. 2, 70-75
- “Criteria voor bekendheid en inburgering van een biermerk: een vat vol tegenstellingen?” in RABG 2012, afl. 20, 1448-1453
- “Parasitaire mededinging: naar een theorie van misbruik van het recht op kopie?” in RABG 2011, afl. 1, 4-7
- “De nieuwe Kansspelwet: mee met haar tijd, maar ook conform EU-recht?” in RABG 2010, afl. 6, 389-392
Contact
Axel Clerens
Avenue du Congo 1 B3
B-1050 Brussels