Dirk Pieters

EDUCATION

Dirk Pieters holds a degree in Bio-Engineering (physical chemistry and environmental techniques) from the University of Leuven, and a degree in Biomedical and Clinical Engineering (radiophysics) from the University of Leuven. He has been a qualified European patent attorney since 2019.

CAREER

Dirk Pieters started his career as a medical physicist in the radiotherapy department of an Antwerp hospital. Since then he has worked in various positions in an international context at companies in the medical sector. For a large part of his career he worked for the medical divisions of Agfa-Gevaert, where he eventually also opted for a career in the IP department.

AREAS OF PRACTICE

His areas of practice include:

– Drafting, filing and follow-up of European and international patent applications;

– Oppositions and appeals at the EPO (European Patent Office);

– Oral proceedings before the EPO in examination and opposition proceedings, and before the Boards of Appeal;

– Advising on patentability, freedom of exploitation (FTO), infringement and validity of intellectual property rights;

– Management of patent portfolios;

– Screening of patent portfolios and contracts (IP due diligence), for example in the context of mergers and acquisitions;

COMPETENCES

Dirk Pieters has technical expertise in the fields of medical physics, radiation physics, general mechanics, biomedical applications, medical devices, computer technology, computer applications, image processing, image analysis, artificial intelligence, surface chemistry and chemistry in general.

LANGUAGES

Dirk Pieters’ native language is Dutch. He speaks fluent English and has a working knowledge of French.