Ingrid Mennens

Ingrid Mennens is Managing Director at Novagraaf Belgium. She is a Benelux and European Trademark and Design Attorney and has built up a profound knowledge of IP-related matter during her career. Ingrid has particular expertise in managing global IP portfolios and provides clients with strategic advice on the development, protection, exploitation and optimisation of their IP portfolios.

Ingrid currently manages a team of 20 IP specialists.

Career history

Ingrid obtained her Masters degree in Law from the University of Leuven, in which she specialised in IP. Ingrid subsequently gained experience in managing major IP portfolios at a consultancy firm, before joining Novagraaf Belgium in 2006 as Managing Director. She is qualified as a BMM Trademark and Design Attorney.

Work highlights

Ingrid regularly gives presentations to clients, as well as at industry events, on IP management topics such as how to put in place a good protection, defence and exploitation strategy.

Ingrid is a former president of the Benelux Association for Trademark and Design Law (BMM) and former committee member of the European Communities Trademarks Association (ECTA) and the International Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property (AIPPI).

Memberships

Ingrid is a member of the BMM, INTA and Marques.

Languages

• Dutch
• French
• English

Areas of expertise

• Trademark registration and portfolio management
• Trademark prosecution
• Trademark filing strategies
• Trademark portfolio audits
• Domain names
• IP strategy
• Corporate IP management
• IP risk management
• Dispute resolution
• Litigation management
• Pre-litigation & Litigation

Honours

Ingrid is recommended in the World Trademark Review WTR 1000 (2018 - 2023 editions):

'Operating out of the Brussels office, Ingrid Mennens provides patrons with guidance on the optimisation of their trademark portfolios as well as ably guiding them through domain name issues.' (WTR 1000, 2023 edition)

'Managing director Ingrid Mennens keeps things firing on all cylinders and leverages global connections to add maximum value for rights holders and their portfolios.' (WTR 1000, 2021 edition)

'Pulling the strings at the top, Ingrid Mennens uses her experience as a former president of the Benelux Association for Trademark and Design Law to provide unique, first-hand insights into getting the best value out of her clients’ IP portfolios.' (WTR 1000, 2020 edition)

'Taking the reins in Belgium and supervising a well-rounded team of 20 specialists is portfolio management devotee Ingrid Mennens.' (WTR 1000, 2019 edition)

'Leading the Belgian outfit, Ingrid Mennens has both a keen eye for detail and an expansive view of the bigger picture. Having been around for a long time, she is very astute and takes good care of clients.' (WTR 1000, 2018 edition)

Ingrid is recognised as a 'Trade Mark Star' in Managing IP's IP STARS (2022 edition).

Ingrid is a BMM Certified Trademark Attorney. The BMM Certified Trademark Attorney mark is a recognised quality seal of trademark attorneys.