Filip Van Elsen
Partner
Antwerp
Filip Van Elsen
Partner
Antwerp
Contact Details
Filip heads the IP/IT department of Allen & Overy in Belgium and chairs our global Telecommunications, Media & Technology sector group. He is also a member of our global Client Group, which aims at developing and managing client relationships in an integrated and collaborative way.
Filip works internationally, advising both established multinationals as well as early stage technology companies from IP-rich sectors. He specialises in both the contentious and non-contentious aspects of digital transformation and technology related projects. He focuses on new emerging technologies and assists clients wherever digital transformation underpins fundamental change in their business (eg fintech, cyber security, AI, digital medicine and connected cars).
He advises our clients on large complex outsourcing transactions, cloud computing, software licensing as well as on technology driven M&A and joint ventures. In addition, he advises on data protection, cyber security and big data projects. Finally, he also helps to resolve disputes arising from significant technology projects.
Filip lectures at the Law Faculty of the University of Leuven on the legal aspects of digitalisation (cyber security, cloud computing, big data and artificial intelligence, block chain and digital health). He is regularly invited to speak at conferences and industry roundtables on IT law, outsourcing and data protection, including the implementation of the GDPR and the NIS Directive on cyber security. Independent legal directories (including Chambers & Legal 500) have been highly recommending Filip for the past 10 years and have consistently ranked his practice in tier one.
Expertise
Practices
Sectors
Qualifications
Professional
Stagiair, Belgium, 1990
Admitted as advocaat, Belgium, 1993
Exempt European lawyer, England and Wales, 2004
Academic
Master, International & Comparative Law, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), 1988
Law Degree, Universitaire Instelling Antwerpen (UIA), 1987
Experience highlights
Advising a leading pharmaceutical company on its first ever “telehealth” project involving Qualcomm Life, aimed at the development and commercialisation of a new internet-enabled inhaler for the treatment of lung patients, including data protection guidelines and their implementation in various agreements.
Advising a global car manufacturer on the regulatory and privacy aspects of a global project to develop and commercialise "connected cars". We advised the client on the integration of telematics technology and the use of the data collected with such technology. We also advised on the setting-up of a Pan-European data management governance model.
Advising a Middle-Eastern oil company on advising Saudi Aramco on a partnership (potentially a joint venture) with one of the world’s largest technology companies, for the establishment of countrywide IT cloud capabilities.
Advising a leading Asian financial services provider, on a number of cloud and data protection issues, including the implementation of the GDPR, data retention policies and the transfer of data to third countries.
Expertise
Practices
Sectors
Qualifications
Professional
Stagiair, Belgium, 1990
Admitted as advocaat, Belgium, 1993
Exempt European lawyer, England and Wales, 2004
Academic
Master, International & Comparative Law, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), 1988
Law Degree, Universitaire Instelling Antwerpen (UIA), 1987
Recognition
dedicated, thorough and hands-on approach” as a key asset and describe him as “down to earth and pleasant to work with
Chambers Europe (TMT), 2018
Really customer-focused, easy to reach and ready to do what is necessary
Chambers Europe 2016, TMT
News & insights
Publications: 30 MARCH 2020
Covid-19 coronavirus: emerging data protection and cybersecurity guidance
The Covid-19 coronavirus is creating a need for organisations to process personal data, for a variety of specific purposes (including managing and protecting their workforce, customers and the public). Many of these processing activities are not part of “business as usual”, so established policies and protocols may not exist. Organisations face a challenge to ensure that this processing complies with data protection and privacy laws, particularly given the urgency behind some of these processing activities and other pressures, which means there is limited time available for consideration and consultation.
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Publications: 18 MARCH 2020
Digital transformation, built on IT cornerstones of cloud, mobile, social and big data, is affecting all industries.
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Publications: 28 JANUARY 2020
Podcast: Maximising value from data – data governance and data monetisation
Data governance – distinct from the GDPR and other comparable frameworks for personal data – is how to manage data to best effect in commercial and corporate transactions.
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Publications: 28 JANUARY 2020
Data monetisation: checklist of the key contractual considerations
Many businesses are contracting with a range of data and AI providers to deliver their data monetisation strategies. But do you have a playbook for these contractual arrangements? Are your contracts consistent? Have you incorporated the necessary contractual protections and rights?
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