What is Intellectual property?
Intellectual property is the legal protection of your innovation, trademark and creativity. We turn your ideas into enforceable rights and lasting competitive advantages. Whether it concerns a patent, a trademark registration or design protection, we guide you strategically, legally and internationally.
“Intellectual property is not a formality, it’s a strategic weapon.”
A strategic course for your intellectual property
In a knowledge-based economy, the protection of your innovations and brand identity defines your market position. We advise companies on building, protecting and maintaining their intellectual assets, both in Belgium and abroad. Together, we develop an IP strategy that goes beyond simply protecting your intellectual property rights. Together, we determine:
- which IP assets are essential to your business and how best to protect them.
- what the best strategy is in relation to your competitors.
- how these assets can maximise revenue through licensing, partnerships, etc.
- how intellectual property can be embedded in your company’s innovation strategy and product development.
By doing so, we turn your intellectual property into a competitive weapon that supports your company’s growth in the long term.
Patents
Technical inventions are a powerful tool to strengthen your market position. Our patent attorneys support you with a comprehensive IP strategy: from filing a patent application to protecting and monitoring it:
Trademarks
Which trademarks do you have? Are they protected? Which types of trademarks should we file? And for which products or services? Where should you register and in which classifications? Our trademark attorneys help you make well‑considered strategic choices.
Designs
The unique design of your product, packaging or application can hold significant commercial value. Our design attorneys ensure that your designs receive the protection they deserve.
Protect and unlock the value of your intellectual property
Oryon is also there to support you if your intellectual property is challenged. We have the legal expertise and the right network to support you in opposition proceedings and to provide targeted legal advice.
News, client cases
and articles
IP firms Bockstael and IPLodge join forces as Oryon
Antwerp/Leuven, April 2, 2026 – Bockstael and IPLodge, two firms specializing in intellectual property, are joining forces under a new name: Oryon. The name launch is...
GE HealthCare announces intent to acquire icometrix
Exciting news from our friends at icometrix! It is a privilege to follow their journey GE HealthCare announces its intention to acquire icometrix to strengthen its...
Archimedes Patents and Bureau De Rycker are part of Oryon
Archimedes Patents and Bureau De Rycker, two well-established names in intellectual property, had previously joined forces with Bureau MFJ Bockstael and are now part of...
Clear answers to every IP question
Why is an IP strategy important?
The right IP protection strengthens your market position. It grants exclusive rights to commercialise your invention, trademark or design and creates a substantial competitive advantage. Your intellectual property is also an intangible asset on your balance sheet and therefore an added value to your company. In addition, IP can offer financial benefits through the patent deduction for inventions. Small-sized companies can use patents to boost their competitiveness. Larger companies often manage broader IP portfolios, making it essential to monitor each individual IP asset while maintaining a clear overall view.
How can I monitor my competitors?
To remain competitive, you of course want to know what your competitors are doing. Our monitoring services help you monitor your market position. We use advanced IT and AI systems to analyse the market and proactively detect risks. This allows you to respond quickly to market developments and possible infringements on your intellectual property.
How can I patent my idea?
A patent cannot be granted for an idea alone. It must relate to a specific technical invention that is novel and inventive. To determine whether your technical invention is patentable, we carry out a targeted search.
How can I protect my trademark?
Unlike patents, which are limited in time, a trademark can remain your property indefinitely, provided it is renewed on time with the local or regional trademark registers. The initial filing date of your trademark is crucial in this, as it determines the start of your monopoly and can give you a six‑month priority right worldwide. You can count on our trademark attorneys and paralegals to handle all the administration required to register and protect your trademark rights. After an initial discussion and a favourable preliminary search, we file your trademark in all relevant countries. We subsequently ensure that your trademark is renewed everywhere in good time, so that it remains your property. You can expect transparency, clarity and a proactive approach.
How can I protect my design?
You can do so by registering the design rights. A registered design right offers protection for a definite period and in specific geographic areas. A design right can be valid for a maximum of 25 years in the European Union, provided it is renewed every five years. This allows designers to maintain long‑term protection as long as the registration is renewed in good time.
Design protection only applies in the countries where the design is registered. A design registered in the EU, for example, does not offer protection in the United States or China unless a separate registration is made there.