11 Nov Wim Van Steenlandt
EDUCATION
Wim Van Steenlandt holds a degree in civil engineering in textile technology from the University of Ghent. He is a Belgian Patent Attorney since 2005 and European Patent Attorney since 2007.
CAREER
After a short stay as a scientific staff member at the Department of Textiles of the University of Ghent, Wim Van Steenlandt started his career as a Development Manager in a technical textile company. Holding responsibility for intellectual property triggered his interest in the world of IP. He started working as trainee Patent Attorney, later as a qualified Belgian and European Patent Attorney in IP departments of various companies as well as private practice. He joined IP Hills in 2020.
AREAS OF PRACTICE
His areas of practice include:
– Drafting, filing and prosecution of Belgian, European and PCT patent applications;
– Oppositions and appeal proceedings before the EPO;
– Oral proceedings before the EPO in opposition and before the Boards of Appeal;
– Validations of European patents in Belgium;
– Opinions regarding patentability, freedom-to-operate, infringement and validity of intellectual property rights;
– Involvement in patent disputes before national courts;
– Advice regarding IP related contracts, such as secrecy agreements, license agreements, R&D agreements, IP due diligence, mergers and acquisitions and alike;
– Patent portfolio management;
– General strategic and legal advice in IP matters.
COMPETENCES
Wim Van Steenlandt has expertise in the area of general mechanics, textile (in particular technical textile and carpets), floor covering in general and building materials, as well as chemistry and chemical process technology. He was head of an IP department, organized and managed several patent portfolios and was involved in several lawsuits. He is hands-on, has strong analytical skills and strategic reasoning. He is a supporter of the no-nonsense approach.
LANGUAGES
Wim Van Steenlandt is a native Dutch speaker, is very fluent in English, and is fluent in French and German.