ALTIUS is known for its ability to guide clients such as broadcasters publishing houses and music publishers through a variety of work including IP issues, publicity rights and regulatory compliance matters. The firm is also praised for having the ‘most experienced and available team of lawyers in the Belgian sports sector’. Sports law experts Sven Demeulemeester and Grégory Ernes jointly lead the practice alongside Olivier Vrins, who excels in issues connected to copyright, brand protection and publicity rights. Alexander De Bleeckere is a known name for libel, slander and defamation cases, while Willem-Alexander Devlies further expands the sports law expertise at the firm.
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
'‘The Altius sports law team is by far the most experienced and available team of lawyers in the Belgian sports sector. They have a very broad expertise, clientele and network, built up over the years, which allows them to provide me the best possible service, giving me a clear advantage towards my competitors, both in contractual and litigation matters.'
‘Sven Demeulemeester has very wide knowledge and expertise in both employment and sports related matters, a very experienced lawyer in the sector. Willem-Alexander Devlies is always available for help and is a real problem solver, clearly an up-and-coming man in the sector. Both are also very connected and recognised both nationally and internationally. ’
- 'All I can say about Altius is that no matter how short the timings are and no matter how complicated the demands, they always seem to be able to deliver quality work on time, which makes them a very reliable and professional partner.'
- 'I would like to especially mention Willem-Alexander Devlies, who has been doing outstanding work since I have started working with him a couple of years ago, especially his ability to deliver quality work on complex legal matters within a short period of time is exceptional.'
Key clients
- PACE Rights Management LLP
- Mediahuis NV
- VRT – Flemish Radio/TV Broadcaster
- Pipe Entertainment
- Club Bruges FC
- Royal Sporting Club Anderlecht
- Royal Antwerp Football Club
- KRC Genk
- Standard de Liège
- Royale Union Saint-Gilloise
- Lommel SK
- KV Kortrijk
- KV Mechelen
- Cercle Bruges
- KMSK Deinze
- City Football Group
- Cardiff City FC
- Tout Puissant Mazembe FC
- UEFA
- Pro League
- Trek Baloise
- Alpecin Deceuninck
- Wasserman
- Sport and Entertainment Group (SEG)
- Forza
- Belgian Tennis Association
- Belgian Volleyball Association
Work highlights
- Assisted PACE Rights Management LLP with its intervention in the appeal proceedings that SABAM brought against a ruling that it had abused its dominant position by charging excessive tariff rates.
- Represented a former television personality in a court case against a production company responsible for a highly successful Flemish TV series which has been distributed to numerous countries globally.
- Represented football club Lommel SK in arbitration proceedings before the Belgian Centre for Sports Arbitration (C-SAR).
Lawyers
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Sven Demeulemeester, Grégory Ernes, Olivier Vrins