Word Intellectual Property Day is observed annually on 26 April.
The theme of this year’s World IP Day is “IP and Youth: Innovating for a Better Future”. The focus is on how creative young people around the world are using intellectual property (IP) rights to develop innovative concepts and ideas that make the world a brighter – and better – place.
Intellectual property is not always tangible, yet it plays a key role in the development of inventions and as such is an essential part of an entrepreneur’s life, influencing the creative process as well as potential outcomes. As a law firm specialising in intellectual property, HOYNG ROKH MONEGIER takes a keen interest in the start-up scene and strives to set an example for how law firms can create awareness of intellectual property rights amongst young entrepreneurs.
The Netherlands
Our Amsterdam team is very active on the start-up scene. The team advises several Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) spin-offs, either directly or through a venture capital partner. HOYNG ROKH MONEGIER helps these start-ups build up a patent portfolio so that they can fend off larger, more established parties and attract further investment. A patent portfolio forms part of a start-up’s assets and can be extremely valuable if the company is later sold. Our team also advises on contract negotiations and other issues, as most start-ups do not have an in-house legal department.
Belgium
Associates from HOYNG ROKH MONEGIER’s Brussels office act as legal experts for StartLAB.BRUSSELS, an incubator for young entrepreneurs supported by ULB and VUB, the two main universities in Brussels. StartLAB.BRUSSELS empowers and supports young entrepreneurs to develop their projects, offering tools and knowledge and leveraging its unique position with universities and in the Belgian entrepreneurial ecosystem. As part of SLB’s network of experts, our Brussels team advises young entrepreneurs on IP-related issues, in particular how to develop a strong IP strategy, and raises awareness of the importance of IP in start-up projects.
Germany
Our Düsseldorf office is a sponsor of StartupDorf, a regional network to promote the start-up scene and ecosystem in and around Düsseldorf. StartupDorf is both a hub and a community to support the establishment and growth of start-ups in the digital economy and to provide networking opportunities for start-up founders. Our Düsseldorf-based partners participate in network events and regularly speak on IP-related issues.
France
HOYNG ROKH MONEGIER’s Paris-based lawyers have good relations with INPI, the national intellectual property office of France, and several act as coaches for INPI’s IP Master Class. This initiative provides entrepreneurs with personalised support to help them realise their growth potential and develop an IP strategy that is integrated into their overall project, at all key stages. It is aimed at very small enterprises (VSEs), small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and micro and small enterprises (MSEs).
Spain
Our Madrid office specialises in multi-sector technology-based start-ups and advises both entrepreneurs and investors on a wide range of issues related to start-ups. It also works with two United Nations agencies (UNCTAD and ECLAC) on programmes aimed at start-ups in developing countries whose strategy includes digital exports to and e-commerce with the European Union as a priority market. At the end of 2021, the Madrid office was commissioned by UNESCO to contribute to the design of a digital policy for CERLALC, the Regional Center for the Promotion of Books with members in Latin America, the Caribbean, Spain and Portugal, with an emphasis on measures aimed at promoting entrepreneurship throughout the entire ebook value chain.
HOYNG ROKH MONEGIER has extensive experience working with start-ups and start-up networks. Our IP experts are at the forefront of technological innovation. Entrepreneurs can benefit from our market expertise as well as our international team and network.