Ingrid Mennens

Ingrid Mennens is Managing Director of Novagraaf Belgium and a BMM-certified (Benelux) and European Trademark & Design Attorney. Ingrid has developed extensive expertise in IP law over the course of her career. She specialises in the strategic management of global IP portfolios and advises clients on the development, protection, exploitation and optimisation of their IP assets. Ingrid currently leads a team of 20 IP specialists.

Career history

Ingrid obtained her Master’s degree in Law from the University of Leuven, where she specialised in IP law. She subsequently gained experience managing major IP portfolios at a consultancy firm before joining Novagraaf Belgium in 2006, where she was appointed Managing Director.

Work highlights

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

Ingrid is a former president of the Benelux Association for Trademark and Design Law (BMM) and a 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 Benelux Association for Trademark and Design Law (BMM), INTA and MARQUES. The BMM certification is a recognised quality mark for trademark attorneys in the Benelux.

Honours

Ingrid is recommended in the World Trademark Review WTR 1000 (2018–2026 editions):

• "Steering the ship at Novagraaf Belgium is Ingrid Mennens, a distinguished Benelux and European Trademark and Design Attorney renowned for her profound expertise IP portfolio management. The solution-driven Mennens is a legal weapon renown for consolidating the objectives of her clients, whether it is the development, protection or optimisation of their intangible assets. The amalgamation of the team’s prowess and spirit of success is what has cemented Novagraaf's reputation as a trusted adviser in the field." (WTR 1000, 2026)
• 'Ingrid Mennens displays a holistic, business-minded approach to intellectual property and a client-focused practice that earns her praise from satisfied clientele.' (WTR 1000, 2025)
• '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)

Languages

• English
• Dutch
• French

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