Experts

Experience

Francis assists GEVERS as ‘of counsel’ after a career of more than 30 years in industry where, whilst working for large oil groups, he had the opportunity to handle patents for more than 30 affiliates dealing with topics as diverse as catalysis, polymerisation processes, polymers and their applications, paints and coatings, oleochemistry, nitrogen chemistry, and photovoltaics. He acquired a wide experience in prosecution, oppositions and appeals at the European Patent Office. A native French speaker, he has mostly handled cases in English; in addition, he has led many oppositions against patents written in German. Francis has long been involved in the Institute of Professional Representatives before the European Patent Office (known as epi), chairing the European Patent Practice Committee during 9 years before becoming President in 2017. Francis is a well-known tutor in the epi-CEIPI Basic Courses in European Patent Law in many European cities, and is a speaker for epi on the topic of the long-awaited Unitary Patent. He has been a Guest Lecturer at the Université catholique de Louvain from 1998 until 2021. He is a member of the standing advisory committees to the Belgian and European Patent Offices.

Specialization

• Patents