Intellectual property (IP) – overview & support (VLAIO).

Details

• Source: https://www.vlaio.be/nl/begeleiding-advies/groei-innovatie/intellectuele-eigendom
• Organisation: VLAIO
• Type: overview/info page + referrals (advice, tools, events)

What is intellectual property?

Intellectual property (IP) refers to rights that protect you when you create or develop something, such as a name/brand, invention, design, text/images, software, etc.

For entrepreneurs, IP can be important to:

• protect your competitive advantage,
• better capture value from investments in innovation,
• tackle misuse or counterfeiting.

What protection options are there?

The VLAIO page provides an overview of different IP rights.

Typical categories include:

• Trademarks (name, logo)
• Patents (technical invention)
• Designs (shape/design)
• Copyright (creative works such as text, images, code)

How do you obtain intellectual property rights?

Depending on the type of right, you can:

• be protected automatically (e.g., copyright), or
• need registration (e.g., trademark, design, patent).

The VLAIO page bundles where and how you can obtain/register these rights and what protection they offer.

How can you enforce protection?

If someone infringes your rights (e.g., counterfeiting), there are several ways to act.

The VLAIO page provides an introduction to the options to enforce protection.

What does it cost?

IP can involve costs (application/registration, advice, follow-up), but there are also:

• possible subsidies/vouchers,
• tax measures,

… that can provide support. The VLAIO page compiles this in an overview.

Need help?

On the VLAIO page you can find:

• where you can get free advice,
• useful websites and publications,
• relevant training courses & info sessions.

Related articles

• Bestaat jouw merknaam al? (Early Trademark Screening tool)
• Intellectual Property (IP) Helpdesk (Europese Commissie)
• SME Fund 2026 (EUIPO)

Link

• https://www.vlaio.be/nl/begeleiding-advies/groei-innovatie/intellectuele-eigendom