Astrea / Posts by Christine De Keersmaeker

Posts by Christine De Keersmaeker

AI and copyright

25-10-2023

It is clear that the rise of artificial intelligence “AI” poses different challenges in different areas. One of these areas is copyright, and in particular the requirement of authorship, which will be discussed in more detail in this contribution. Works are protected by copyright when the work (i) is expressed in a concrete form and […]

Juventus’ trademark rights infringed by NFT, says Rome Court!

18-11-2022

On 19 July 2022, Juventus Football Club s.p.a. (“Juventus”) was granted a preliminary injunction by the court of Rome against Blockeras s.r.l. (“Blockeras”) concerning the minting and marketing of NFTs. Juventus had initiated preliminary injunction proceedings against Blockeras claiming Blockeras committed trademark infringement through the unauthorized production, marketing and online promotion of digital playing cards […]

Green-branding in fashion: a trending marketing strategy.

27-09-2022

Good marketing is storytelling. It is making the consumer believe they have to be part of an experience. Today, we see a surge in fashion houses adopting marketing strategies and campaigns centered around sustainability and the environmentally-friendliness of their garments. As consumers tend to make more environmentally conscious decisions in their day-to-day lives, the fashion […]

Usain Bolt trademarks his lightning bolt move

24-08-2022

Usain Bolt, also known as the world’s fastest man, submitted a trade mark application to the United States Patent and Trademark Office ( USPTO), requesting the registration of his iconic victory pose the lightning bolt. (see also: De Standaard, The Guardian en Washington Post) According to the application, the Olympian seeks to protect a mark […]

4 NFT lawsuits to follow

25-08-2022

In a previous article (“NFT, THE NEW HYPE. WHAT ABOUT INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS?”) we took a closer look at Non Fungible Tokens or NFTs and explained what exactly these NFTs are. Even though NFTs are not completely new, the first ones appeared in 2015, we are currently entering unknown territory with this relatively new phenomenon. […]

SUMMERY IP DISCUSSIONS: SAY (GREEK) CHEESE

19-08-2022

Whilst you may be enjoying a lunch at some sunny holiday destination, the Court of Justice of the EU has, on the 14th of July, rendered a judgment in the case of the EU Commission against Denmark (C-159/20), that concerns the very salad you may be eating for lunch. The discussion centered around the typical […]

On 1st August 2022, the Belgian law transposing the European Directive on copyright and related rights in the Digital Single Market n° 2019/790 was published in the Belgian Gazette.

08-08-2022

On 1st August 2022, the Belgian law transposing the European Directive on copyright and related rights in the Digital Single Market n° 2019/790 was published in the Belgian Gazette. The implemented provisions entered into force on that same day. The DSM-Directive focuses on the next key points: – 4 new mandatory exceptions to copyright ad […]

A new law on copyright and related rights in the digital market

04-07-2022

The European Directive of 17 April 2019 on Copyright and Related Rights in the Digital Market (Directive (EU) 2019/790 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 April 2019 on copyright and related rights in the digital single market and amending Directives 96/9/EC and 2001/29/EC), the so-called DSM (Digital Single Market) Directive, had […]

The first conservatory seizure on an NFT

23-03-2022

Following the seizure by the British tax authorities of three NFTs, the Dutch court in Leeuwarden, has also seized an NFT. The dispute concerns an NFT from Ozzy Osbourne’s “Cryptobatz” collection. On 20 January 2022, the parties, concluded an agreement whereby the ‘buyer’, instructed the ‘seller’, to buy an NFT from the “Cryptobatz Collection” for […]

NFT, the new hype. What about intellectual property rights?

09-02-2022

NFT, the hype of the moment. However, NFTs are not that new. Already in 2015, the first tradable NFT was developed as part of the so-called Etheria project. The Etheria project proposed an artwork of 33 by 33 tiles, with each tile sold separately. The world was clearly not ready for NFTs at that moment […]

Christine de Keersmaeker, speaker to University of Antwerp’s Responsible Fashion Series

02-11-2021

Our Senior IP Counsel Christine de Keersmaeker participated as speaker to University of Antwerp’s Responsible Fashion Series – Panel : what about the notion of “authenticity/originality” alongside other preeminent guest speakers Samuel De Goede, Marie de Bellefroit and Barbara Gessler, and Prof. Annick Schramme who moderated the panel. The Responsible Fashion Series originated as part […]

ASTREA ranked Excellent in Leaders League Belgium ‘s 2021 edition of “Best Law Firms for IT, Data Protection & Telecoms”

25-06-2021

Our IT, IP and Privacy team has been recognized in the 2021 edition of Leaders League rankings amongst the Best Law Firms for IT, Data Protection & Telecoms as Excellent. Congratulations to our teams headed by Steven De Schrijver ,Olivier Van Fraeyenhoven, Pieter Paepe and Christine De Keersmaeker. To learn more about all our rankings […]

Christine De Keersmaeker is once again recognized as IP STAR

17-06-2021

Astrea is delighted to announce that our IP specialist Christine De Keersmaeker is once again recognized in Managing IP 2021 ranking as one of the IP STARS in Belgium. Congratulations to our IP team that assembles committed, solutions-oriented and technically skilled lawyers guiding and counseling our clients to make them create and increase business value […]

Last day for EU Member States to transpose the Digital Single Market directive of 2019

07-06-2021

Today, 7 June 2021, is the deadline for EU Member States to transpose the Digital Single Market directive of 2019 (EU 2019/790 of the European Parliament and the Council of 17 April 2019 on copyright and related rights in the Digital Single Market and amending the directives 96/9/EC and 2001/29/EC). The Commission has unveiled its […]

Your own name as a brand : smart or not ?

27-05-2021

In the fashion industry, and sometimes in the design industry, it is common to use your own name as the name of your company or brand. But, is that a good choice? Our intellectual property specialists, Christine De Keersmaeker and Thaissa Nuyens, summarize the pros and cons in their article published in Flanders DC Magazine.