{"id":738,"date":"2026-03-25T10:58:56","date_gmt":"2026-03-25T10:58:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/belgiumpatent.be\/inventors\/"},"modified":"2026-04-01T15:32:47","modified_gmt":"2026-04-01T15:32:47","slug":"inventors","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/belgiumpatent.be\/en\/inventors\/","title":{"rendered":"Inventors"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wpb-content-wrapper\"><p>[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h1><span class=\"TextRun SCXW7672032 BCX0\" lang=\"FR-BE\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW7672032 BCX0\" data-ccp-parastyle=\"heading 1\">You are an inventor<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW7672032 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{\"134245418\":true,\"134245529\":true,\"335559738\":240,\"335559739\":0}\"> ?<\/span><\/h1>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]Do you want to protect your invention with a patent in Belgium or abroad? <br \/>\nWould you like to know whether patent protection is worthwhile for you and how you can protect your invention in the best way? <br \/>\nSeek advice from a patent attorney. A patent attorney is the person who is most familiar with the ins and outs of the patent procedures and who can assist you through every step of the process.[\/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;1\/4&#8243;][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243;][vc_raw_html css=&#8221;&#8221;]PGEgaHJlZj0iaHR0cHM6Ly9icHAuZWNvbm9taWUuZmdvdi5iZS9icHAtcG9ydGFsL1JlZ2lzdGVyL3BhdGVudC9hdHRvcm5leXMiIGNsYXNzPSJidXR0b24gYnV0dG9uLS1mbGF0IiBzdHlsZT0icG9zaXRpb246Y2VudGVyIj5Zb3UgY2FuIGZpbmQgdGhlIGxpc3Qgb2YgQmVsZ2lhbiBwYXRlbnQgYXR0b3JuZXlzIGhlcmU8L2E+[\/vc_raw_html][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;1\/4&#8243;][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_empty_space height=&#8221;60px&#8221;][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h3>Patent, design or trademark<\/h3>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Not all creations can be protected by a patent. A patent protects inventions (product, machine, or method) that have a technical character, provided they meet the patentability requirements: novelty, inventive step and industrial applicability. <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\"> <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">New plant varieties can be protected by plant breeders&#8217; rights.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\"> <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">A design registration protects the shape of a product, provided the shape does not have any technical character.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\"> <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">You can register a name or logo as a trademark. There are various types of trademarks, such as a word mark (name), a figurative mark (logo), a shape mark, a colour mark, a sound mark, etc. <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\"> <\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_empty_space height=&#8221;30px&#8221;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span class=\"TextRun SCXW222560688 BCX0\" lang=\"FR-FR\" xml:lang=\"FR-FR\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW222560688 BCX0\">The collective term for all types of creations that can be protected is called intellectual property. An overview of intellectual property rights can be found here <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;1\/4&#8243;][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243;][vc_raw_html css=&#8221;&#8221;]PGEgaHJlZj0iaHR0cHM6Ly9lY29ub21pZS5mZ292LmJlL2VuL3RoZW1lcy9pbnRlbGxlY3R1YWwtcHJvcGVydHkvaW50ZWxsZWN0dWFsLXByb3BlcnR5LXJpZ2h0cyIgY2xhc3M9ImJ1dHRvbiBidXR0b24tLWZsYXQiPkFuIG92ZXJ2aWV3IG9mIGludGVsbGVjdHVhbCBwcm9wZXJ0eSByaWdodHMgY2FuIGJlIGZvdW5kIGhlcmU8L2E+[\/vc_raw_html][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;1\/4&#8243;][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_empty_space height=&#8221;60px&#8221;][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h4 data-start=\"2605\" data-end=\"2657\">Demandez conseil \u00e0 un mandataire en brevets<\/h4>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2659\" data-end=\"2803\"><span class=\"TextRun SCXW85699528 BCX0\" lang=\"FR-FR\" xml:lang=\"FR-FR\" data-contrast=\"auto\">With an intellectual property right, such as a patent, you can prevent others from using that right without permission. This can give you a competitive advantage. You can also grant licenses to others and generate income from your intellectual property rights.<\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW85699528 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{}\"> <\/span><\/p>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]<span data-contrast=\"auto\">Consult a patent attorney, the professional who can answer questions such as: <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\"> <\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"-\" data-font=\"Calibri\" data-listid=\"6\" data-list-defn-props=\"{\"335551671\":0,\"335552541\":1,\"335559685\":720,\"335559991\":360,\"469769226\":\"Calibri\",\"469769242\":[8226],\"469777803\":\"left\",\"469777804\":\"-\",\"469777815\":\"hybridMultilevel\"}\" data-aria-posinset=\"5\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">What protection is available for my invention or creation? <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\"> <\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"-\" data-font=\"Calibri\" data-listid=\"6\" data-list-defn-props=\"{\"335551671\":0,\"335552541\":1,\"335559685\":720,\"335559991\":360,\"469769226\":\"Calibri\",\"469769242\":[8226],\"469777803\":\"left\",\"469777804\":\"-\",\"469777815\":\"hybridMultilevel\"}\" data-aria-posinset=\"5\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Does it make sense to apply for a patent, and where? <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\"> <\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"-\" data-font=\"Calibri\" data-listid=\"6\" data-list-defn-props=\"{\"335551671\":0,\"335552541\":1,\"335559685\":720,\"335559991\":360,\"469769226\":\"Calibri\",\"469769242\":[8226],\"469777803\":\"left\",\"469777804\":\"-\",\"469777815\":\"hybridMultilevel\"}\" data-aria-posinset=\"5\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">What should I do if I notice someone is copying my invention? <\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"-\" data-font=\"Calibri\" data-listid=\"6\" data-list-defn-props=\"{\"335551671\":0,\"335552541\":1,\"335559685\":720,\"335559991\":360,\"469769226\":\"Calibri\",\"469769242\":[8226],\"469777803\":\"left\",\"469777804\":\"-\",\"469777815\":\"hybridMultilevel\"}\" data-aria-posinset=\"5\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">How can I avoid infringing someone else&#8217;s patent? <\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"-\" data-font=\"Calibri\" data-listid=\"6\" data-list-defn-props=\"{\"335551671\":0,\"335552541\":1,\"335559685\":720,\"335559991\":360,\"469769226\":\"Calibri\",\"469769242\":[8226],\"469777803\":\"left\",\"469777804\":\"-\",\"469777815\":\"hybridMultilevel\"}\" data-aria-posinset=\"5\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Is someone else&#8217;s patent valid, and what exactly does it protect?<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\"> <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3475\" data-end=\"3614\"><span class=\"TextRun SCXW192980405 BCX0\" lang=\"FR-FR\" xml:lang=\"FR-FR\" data-contrast=\"auto\">Furthermore, the patent attorney ensures that the patent application meets the requirements and that pitfalls in the process are avoided. Even after you have obtained a patent, a patent attorney continues to provide useful advice on strategic choices during the patent term, such as maintaining the patent and combating infringement or counterfeiting.<\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW192980405 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{}\"> <\/span><\/p>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3912\" data-end=\"3933\">Useful links<\/p>\n<ol data-start=\"3935\" data-end=\"4859\">\n<li data-section-id=\"1711kff\" data-start=\"3935\" data-end=\"4018\">Aper\u00e7u de la r\u00e9glementation relative aux brevets en Belgique<br data-start=\"3998\" data-end=\"4001\"><a href=\"https:\/\/belgiumpatent.be\/en\/law-regulation\/patent-law\/\">Patent Law<\/a><\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"hebefq\" data-start=\"4020\" data-end=\"4141\">An overview of intellectual property rights can be found here<br data-start=\"4051\" data-end=\"4054\"><a class=\"decorated-link\" href=\"https:\/\/economie.fgov.be\/en\/themes\/intellectual-property\/intellectual-property-rights\" target=\"_new\" rel=\"noopener\" data-start=\"4054\" data-end=\"4141\">https:\/\/economie.fgov.be\/en\/themes\/intellectual-property\/intellectual-property-rights<\/a><\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"17u35hz\" data-start=\"4143\" data-end=\"4340\">Brochure \u201cThe protection of an invention with a patent: strategic choice\u201d published by the Belgian Intellectual Property Office:<br data-start=\"4220\" data-end=\"4223\"><a class=\"decorated-link\" href=\"https:\/\/economie.fgov.be\/sites\/default\/files\/Files\/Publications\/files\/The-protection-of-an-invention-with-a-patent.pdf\" target=\"_new\" rel=\"noopener\" data-start=\"4223\" data-end=\"4340\">https:\/\/economie.fgov.be\/sites\/default\/files\/Files\/Publications\/files\/The-protection-of-an-invention-with-a-patent.pdf<\/a><\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"yctdzi\" data-start=\"4342\" data-end=\"4488\">Brochure \u201cHow to protect a design\u201d published by the Belgian Intellectual Property Office:<br data-start=\"4384\" data-end=\"4387\"><a class=\"decorated-link\" href=\"https:\/\/economie.fgov.be\/sites\/default\/files\/Files\/Publications\/files\/Fiche-OPRI-dessin-ou-modele.pdf\" target=\"_new\" rel=\"noopener\" data-start=\"4387\" data-end=\"4488\">https:\/\/economie.fgov.be\/sites\/default\/files\/Files\/Publications\/files\/Fiche-OPRI-dessin-ou-modele.pdf<\/a><\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"1alwsjs\" data-start=\"4490\" data-end=\"4628\">Brochure \u201cHow to protect a trademark\u201d published by the Belgian Intellectual Property Office:<br data-start=\"4533\" data-end=\"4536\"><a class=\"decorated-link\" href=\"https:\/\/economie.fgov.be\/sites\/default\/files\/Files\/Publications\/files\/Fiche-OPRI-marques.pdf\" target=\"_new\" rel=\"noopener\" data-start=\"4536\" data-end=\"4628\">https:\/\/economie.fgov.be\/sites\/default\/files\/Files\/Publications\/files\/Fiche-OPRI-marques.pdf<\/a><\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"3hvj51\" data-start=\"4630\" data-end=\"4786\">Brochure \u201cThe protection of an invention with a patent: strategic choice\u201d published by the Belgian Intellectual Property Office:<br data-start=\"4677\" data-end=\"4680\"><a class=\"decorated-link\" href=\"https:\/\/economie.fgov.be\/sites\/default\/files\/Files\/Publications\/files\/The-protection-of-an-invention-with-a-patent.pdf\" target=\"_new\" rel=\"noopener\" data-start=\"4680\" data-end=\"4786\">https:\/\/economie.fgov.be\/sites\/default\/files\/Files\/Publications\/files\/The-protection-of-an-invention-with-a-patent.pdf<\/a><\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"1s0nuz3\" data-start=\"4788\" data-end=\"4859\">Create Protect Benefit<br data-start=\"4813\" data-end=\"4816\"><a class=\"decorated-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.createprotectbenefit.com\/be-en\/\" target=\"_new\" rel=\"noopener\" data-start=\"4816\" data-end=\"4859\">https:\/\/www.createprotectbenefit.com\/be-en\/<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;] You are an inventor ? [\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]Do you want to protect your invention with a patent in Belgium or abroad? Would you like to know whether patent protection is worthwhile for you and how you can protect your invention in the best way? Seek advice from a patent attorney. A patent attorney is&#8230; <a class=\"view-article\" href=\"https:\/\/belgiumpatent.be\/en\/inventors\/\">View Article<\/a>","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-738","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/belgiumpatent.be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/738","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/belgiumpatent.be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/belgiumpatent.be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/belgiumpatent.be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/belgiumpatent.be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=738"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/belgiumpatent.be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/738\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1555,"href":"https:\/\/belgiumpatent.be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/738\/revisions\/1555"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/belgiumpatent.be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=738"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}