Dieter Heck

Dieter conducts infringement, validity and Freedom to Operate analyses on specific industry technologies covered by hundreds of patents and patent applications over their entire prosecution life. He is constantly finding competitor patents to be opposed, maintaining the maximum amount of protection possible for his client’s intellectual property rights.

He works as a technical expert during litigation cases before Belgian and German courts and handles European Patent Office (EPO) oral proceedings, with many oppositions resulting from his Freedom to Operate activities. He is trilingual German, French and English, the three official languages accepted before the EPO.

Dieter holds a master’s degree in Chemistry from the University of Liège and a master’s degree in Oceanography and Safety and Security Management, as well as an MBA.

Dieter has worked with IP since 2001. Before moving into private practice, he was responsible for research and development at a corporation engaged in the plastic extrusion field for 15 years.

His clients are industrial-focused multinational corporations with large R&D operations that require unique filing strategies and Freedom to Operate considerations.

• Lab Manager and R&D Director, Plastic Conversion Industry (1985-2001)

• ​LLM Courses in Trademarks, Design Models and Copyright Law, University of Liège, 2014
• CEIPI Diploma in European Patent Litigation, University of Strasbourg, 2010
• M.Sc. Safety and Security Management, University of Liège, 1999
• Master of Business Administration (MBA), University of Liège, 1985
• M.Sc. Chemistry, University of Liège, 1983

• epi (Institute of Professional Representatives before the European Patent Office)
• Belgian Examination Committee for Belgian Patent Attorneys, Ex-Member