De Clercq and Partners
De Clercq and Partners is a Belgian IP law firm providing patent, trademark, design, copyright, and domain name services, plus UPC litigation, to clients in chemistry, life sciences, and engineering/software sectors from three Belgium offices.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2001
- HeadquartersSint-martens-latem, Belgium
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What De Clercq and Partners does
De Clercq and Partners is a full-service Belgian intellectual property law firm providing patent, trademark, design, copyright, and domain name services to corporate clients, research institutions, and individual inventors. The firm operates from three Belgium offices (Sint-Martens-Latem headquarters, Leuven, and Hasselt) with a team of approximately 21 specialists organized as Partners, Patent attorneys, European patent litigators (including UPC representatives), Trademark & design attorneys, and Patent advisers. Its practice is structured around three sector specializations: Chemistry (pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, materials sciences), Life Sciences (biotech, medical devices, diagnostics), and Engineering & Software (AI, robotics, automotive, ICT, energy).
The firm's core offerings cover the full IP lifecycle, including drafting and filing patent and trademark applications, prosecution before the EPO, EUIPO, WIPO, and national offices, opposition and appeal proceedings, litigation before national courts and the Unified Patent Court, IP due diligence, licensing, and contract drafting. Technical differentiators include PhD-level expertise across the three practice sectors, accreditation to practice before EPO/EUIPO/UPC, and two proprietary client-facing platforms: the Client Zone for patent communications and the IPR Manager for trademark and design portfolio administration. A public-facing Renewal Fee Calculator supports Unitary Patent cost decisions.
De Clercq and Partners generates revenue through hourly-rate professional services fees that vary by personnel competency and experience, with multi-year engagements typical for IP portfolio management. Pass-through costs include official fees, translations, and third-party associate services used for international filings. The firm has repeatedly won industry awards, including Managing IP European Opposition Firm of the Year for three consecutive years (2022-2024), Gold Belgium and Bronze EPO rankings in IAM Patent 1000 2026, and inclusion in the Financial Times ranking of Europe's Leading Patent Law Firms 2026. Revenue is not publicly disclosed.
De Clercq and Partners firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- De Clercq and Partners
- Legal name
- De Clercq & Partners NV
- Website
- https://dcp-ip.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2001
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- De Clercq and Partners is a Belgian IP law firm providing patent, trademark, design, copyright, and domain name services, plus UPC litigation, to clients in chemistry, life sciences, and engineering/software sectors from three Belgium offices.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
De Clercq and Partners industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Intellectual Property Legal Services
- NAICS
- Legal Services (5411)
- SIC
- Services-Legal Services (8111)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Contract Lifecycle Management (CLM) & Document Automation (BPAEAPAD)
Keywords
Where De Clercq and Partners is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Sint-martens-latem
- HQ country
- Belgium
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices3 records
Markets served
De Clercq and Partners business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Professional IP Services: Hourly rate billing for IP legal services including patent/trademark drafting, filing, prosecution, opposition proceedings, and litigation. Rates vary based on competencies and experience of personnel. Additional costs for official fees, translations, and third-party services.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Hourly rate professional services |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels5 records
De Clercq and Partners product offering
Product offeringCore offering
De Clercq & Partners is a Belgian intellectual property law firm that drafts, files and prosecutes patents (including European, Unitary Patent and PCT filings), registers trademarks and designs before EUIPO and national offices, manages domain names and copyright, and represents clients in opposition, appeal, nullity and Unified Patent Court (UPC) litigation. Services are delivered by PhD-qualified patent attorneys and European patent litigators, supported by two proprietary client platforms (IPR Manager and Client Zone) and an international associate network that coordinates filings worldwide.
Product overview
De Clercq & Partners is a full-service intellectual property law firm offering a comprehensive suite of IP protection and management services. The portfolio consists of core legal services (patents, trademarks, designs, copyright, domain names), contentious proceedings (litigation, oppositions, appeals), and specialized advisory services (IP due diligence, licensing, contracts, financing guidance). The offering is structured around the firm's proprietary online platforms: the Client Zone for patent communications and the IPR Manager platform for trademark/design portfolio management. Additional value-added services include educational programs, SME Fund assistance, and a Renewal Fee Calculator tool. The firm operates across three primary sectors: Chemistry, Life Sciences, and Engineering & Software.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Patents End-to-end patent services including patentability assessment, drafting and filing of patent applications, prosecution before the European Patent Office (EPO), Belgian Patent Office, WIPO, INPI and UKIPO, international coordination, Unitary Patent validation, and opposition and appeal representation. Targeted at inventors, research institutions and companies in chemistry, life sciences, engineering and software.
- Trademarks Trademark registration, portfolio management and enforcement services before EUIPO, the Belgian IP Office and international trademark offices, targeted at brand owners and brand-protection counsel.
- Designs Design right registration and enforcement services before EUIPO, the Belgian IP Office and other national offices, covering assessment of design eligibility, filing, prosecution and dispute resolution.
- Copyright Copyright protection and enforcement services securing rights in creative works and supporting infringement actions for creators, brands and content-driven businesses.
- Domain Names Domain name registration, portfolio management and online brand protection, supporting clients in choosing, registering and defending domain name assets.
- Contentious Proceedings Comprehensive dispute support including third-party observations, opposition, appeal, cancellation and litigation proceedings before EPO, EUIPO, national courts and the Unified Patent Court (UPC), for patent, trademark and design rights.
- Patent Drafting, Filing & Prosecution Comprehensive patent prosecution service from patentability assessment and claims drafting through European and international patent systems, targeted at corporate IP counsel and inventors seeking protection across jurisdictions.
- IP Due Diligence & Contracts Legal services covering IP due diligence, drafting and negotiation of technology transfer, licensing, confidentiality and related agreements, IP valuation and licensing advice, primarily for transactions, investments and commercial collaborations.
- Licensing Assistance in negotiating and structuring patent licensing agreements, including drafting and reviewing licensing terms, navigating complex negotiations and ensuring compliance with legal and commercial requirements.
- Patent Litigation & Contentious Proceedings Legal support for patent disputes including infringement, validity procedures, patent litigation, legal opinions, court representation, opposition, appeal, nullity and cancellation proceedings before EPO, national courts and the Unified Patent Court.
- UP & UPC Services Expert support for Unitary Patents and Unified Patent Court representation, including territorial coverage guidance, renewal fee planning and opt-out procedures, supported by a non-exclusive cooperation with ALTIUS for UPC litigation.
- IP Portfolio Management Assessment and optimization of IP portfolios, including reviewing the scope and strength of IP rights, identifying gaps and redundancies, and aligning IP strategy with R&D and business goals for corporate IP owners.
- Freedom to Operate Analyses FTO assessments that identify potential patent infringement risks before product or process launches, including identification of relevant third-party patents and recommendations on risk mitigation strategies.
- Patentability Opinions Evaluation of invention patentability through prior-art analysis and provision of patentability opinions with strategic guidance and recommendations for improving patent scope, targeted at R&D teams and corporate IP counsel.
- Representation in Court Legal representation in IP matters before European courts, coordination with local counsel in international disputes, and support in injunctions and enforcement actions for patent, trademark and design rights.
- Legal Opinions Tailored legal opinions on patent law including infringement analysis, validity and nullity assessments, and legal risk evaluations for IP transactions, targeted at corporate IP counsel and licensing teams.
- Patent Validations Management of the European patent validation process including translations, specific national filings, deadline management and cost-effective validation planning, typically required after EPO grant.
- Patent Renewal Fees Annuity payments and renewal management for patents, trademarks, designs and other IP rights, with proactive deadline tracking and payment handling for clients across their IP estates.
- IP Education Expert lectures at leading IP institutions and universities, regular seminars and webinars on IP topics, and custom in-house training sessions for companies, targeted at in-house counsel, R&D teams and universities.
- IP Management Online (IPR Manager and Client Zone) Online Client Zone for viewing patent communications and files and the IPR Manager platform for managing trademarks and designs portfolios, providing instructions, setting budgets and accessing registration certificates in real time. Sold to clients of the firm as a portfolio administration tool.
- Renewal Fee Calculator Interactive online tool that calculates post-grant renewal fee costs comparing Unitary Patent versus individual validations in non-UP EPC countries, offered to prospective clients and the public for IP cost planning.
- Financing and Tax Benefits Advisory Guidance on subsidies, grants (KMO-portefeuille, VLAIO, EUIPO SME Fund) and tax incentives (Innovation Income Deduction, R&D Tax Credits) plus private and public financing options available for IP assets, targeted at Belgian SMEs and startups.
- SME Fund Assistance Assistance with EUIPO SME Fund voucher applications for partial reimbursement of intellectual property costs for trademarks, designs and patents, targeted at SMEs seeking subsidized IP protection in the EU.
Quantifiable outcome
- Winner of Managing IP European Opposition firm of the year 2022, 2023, and 2024
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use De Clercq and Partners
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
De Clercq and Partners technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
De Clercq and Partners partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- ALTIUScoreNon-exclusive cooperation with ALTIUS law firm within the 'Altius De Clercq' initiative for Unified Patent Court (UPC) litigation. Brings together legal, technical, and strategic expertise in one integrated UPC litigation team for infringement and revocation actions.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
De Clercq and Partners competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- NautaDutilh: Benelux-headquartered law firm with a strong IP practice spanning patents, trademarks and litigation. Comparable as a Benelux-based IP services competitor with cross-border reach.
- Gevers: Belgian intellectual property firm offering patent, trademark and design services with similar sector specializations. Directly comparable as a homegrown Belgian IP boutique competing for the same corporate client base.
- Hoffmann Eitle: European IP boutique with strong technical bench in chemistry, life sciences, physics and engineering. Comparable for high-quality patent prosecution and opposition work for deep-tech clients.
- Brantsandpatents: Belgian patent and trademark boutique with comparable headcount and prosecution/litigation offering. Competes head-to-head with DCP for Belgian and Benelux IP mandates.
- Arnold & Siedsma: European patent and trademark firm with offices in Benelux, Germany and Scandinavia. Comparable for prosecution, oppositions and IP portfolio management at a similar boutique scale.
- V.O. Patents & Trademarks: European IP boutique with offices in the Netherlands, Germany and Belgium. Comparable in service mix, technical sector coverage, and pan-European filing coordination model.
- Hoyng ROKH Monegier: European IP boutique specializing in patent litigation including UPC matters. Comparable for high-stakes patent contentious work across European jurisdictions.
Broad incumbents
- Bird & Bird: Global law firm with one of the largest dedicated IP groups worldwide and strong UPC litigation practice. Competes for the same enterprise IP mandates but operates at much larger scale.
- Hogan Lovells: Global law firm with a leading IP practice spanning prosecution, litigation and licensing across major jurisdictions. Comparable for cross-border patent and trademark work targeting large multinational clients.
Regional players
- IPLodge: Benelux IP boutique focused on patents, trademarks and designs. Comparable as a similarly sized regional competitor serving SME and corporate clients in the same geography.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
De Clercq and Partners social profiles
Digital presenceDe Clercq and Partners financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
De Clercq and Partners leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
De Clercq and Partners funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
De Clercq and Partners M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments1 record
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about De Clercq and Partners
What does De Clercq and Partners do?
De Clercq & Partners is a Belgian intellectual property law firm that drafts, files and prosecutes patents (including European, Unitary Patent and PCT filings), registers trademarks and designs before EUIPO and national offices, manages domain names and copyright, and represents clients in opposition, appeal, nullity and Unified Patent Court (UPC) litigation. Services are delivered by PhD-qualified patent attorneys and European patent litigators, supported by two proprietary client platforms (IPR Manager and Client Zone) and an international associate network that coordinates filings worldwide.
Is De Clercq and Partners a public or private company?
De Clercq and Partners is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was De Clercq and Partners founded?
De Clercq and Partners was founded in 2001. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is De Clercq and Partners based?
De Clercq and Partners is headquartered in Sint-martens-latem, Belgium, in the Europe region.
How does De Clercq and Partners make money?
One revenue line is on record: professional IP Services.
Who are De Clercq and Partners's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are NautaDutilh, Gevers, Hoffmann Eitle, Brantsandpatents, Arnold & Siedsma, V.O. Patents & Trademarks and Hoyng ROKH Monegier. Broad incumbents are Bird & Bird and Hogan Lovells. IPLodge is listed as a regional player.
Does De Clercq and Partners have an API?
No public API is recorded for De Clercq and Partners.
What industry is De Clercq and Partners in?
De Clercq and Partners's product category is Intellectual Property Legal Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAEAPAD, Contract Lifecycle Management (CLM) & Document Automation. Its NAICS code is 5411 and its SIC code is 8111.