Etienne Kairis
Partner
Etienne Kairis has over 20 years of experience in commercial law with a focus on distribution law, fair trade practices, intellectual property law, and IT law. He has developed a particular expertise and reputation in the automotive sector, notably as regards the organisation, management and restructuring of distribution networks in Belgium. Etienne also has gained broad experience in devising and enforcing national and international strategies for intellectual property protection (trade mark, patent and copyright protection).
Etienne has authored various publications on commercial law and is regularly a speaker at seminars concerning these fields.
Etienne holds a Master’s Degree in Law from the University of Leuven (KU Leuven 1998) and an LL.M. in Intellectual Property law (Intellectuele Rechten/Droits intellectuels), organised jointly by the University of Leuven and the University of Brussels (KUL – HUB-KAHO 2001).
Etienne is a member of the Brussels bar. He joined Liedekerke as a Partner in January 2014.
Contact
Studies
Catholic University of Leuven (LL.M. in Intellectual Property Law) 2001
Vrije Universiteit Brussels (Master’s degree) 1998
Université de Namur (Law degree) 1995
Relevant expertise
Assisting a major insurance company in a software-related dispute.
Assisting, on a recurrent basis, a major consumer goods retailer with respect to IP-related matters in Belgium. This included in particular the representation of the client in cease-and-desist proceedings, claims for damages and discovery proceedings, as well as the negotiation and drafting of amicable settlements with IP holders and the drafting and enforcement of “hold harmless” clauses in sourcing contracts.
Negotiating, drafting and reviewing software licensing and software development agreements for major non-profit organisations.
Assisting leading car manufacturers and importers on compliance of advertising materials.
Assisting companies in injunction proceedings relating to comparative advertising.
Assisting, on recurrent basis, leading car manufacturers and importers with the restructuring and organisation of their dealer networks.
Publications/Speaking Engagements
"Intellectual Property 2004/05 – Benelux Chapter – Belgium" in Global Counsel Handbooks, april 2004 (samen met Yves Van Couter, Benoit Van Asbroeck, Laurent Masson, Hans Dhondt en Elke Swaenepoel).
"De wet van 1 september 2004 betreffende de bescherming van de consument bij de verkoop van consumptiegoederen", Revue de la Faculté de droit de l'Université de Liège (samen met Yves Van Couter, Stefaan De Boeck, Bernard Vanbrabant, Hans Dhondt en Sandrine Kinart).
"The Future of the Car Block Exemption Regulation" (samen met Emmerik Van Parys), in Vertical Restraints and Distribution Agreements under EU Competition Law, Bruylant, 2011.
The Dispute Resolution Review, Belgian Chapter (samen met Geert Bogaert en Aude Mahy), Derde, Vierde en Vijfde Editie, Law Business Research.
Recognition
Etienne Kairis is recommended in the area of Intellectual Property - Legal 500, 2022
Etienne Kairis is recommended in the area of Intellectual Property - Legal 500, 2021
Etienne Kairis is recommended in the area of retail - Legal 500, 2020
Etienne Kairis is recommended and described as 'a tough but amenable litigator' - Legal 500, 2019
Memberships & Admissions
Member of the Brussels Bar
Member of the European Communities Trade Mark Association (ECTA)
Vice-President of the Commission de déontologie et d’éthique pharmaceutique (DEP Commission) at Pharma.be
Languages
- French
- English
- Dutch
