Axel Desmet
Technology, IP & Commercial Lawyer
Axel Desmet is a Belgian technology, IP and commercial lawyer at Cresco, focused on complex technology contracts and strategic commercial arrangements.
Contracts shape more than the deal in front of you.
Technology contracts determine who owns the result, which markets remain open, how operational risk is divided and what a future investor or buyer will find during due diligence.
Axel works on commercial agreements in which technology, intellectual property, data and long term business interests meet. His experience ranges from SaaS and software licensing to strategic partnerships, R&D collaborations, platform arrangements, business continuity structures and technology focused transactions.
He practises as an associate at Cresco and advises clients in Belgium, across the EU and internationally on technology, IP and commercial contracting.
Areas of work
Technology & Commercial Contracts
SaaS, software licensing, cloud, development, services, procurement and platform agreements.
Strategic Partnerships & Innovation
R&D collaborations, funded development, joint development, technology partnerships and spin off structures.
IP Transactions & Protection
Licensing, assignment, ownership, commercialisation, trademarks, trade secrets and domain name disputes.
Technology Transactions & Due Diligence
IP, IT and commercial due diligence, transaction documentation and post closing remediation.
Digital Regulation & Public Contracting
GDPR, AI, data, cybersecurity and technology contracting with public sector organisations.
Selected experience
The examples below are anonymised. They illustrate the type of work Axel has handled, usually as part of a wider Cresco team.
- 01
Worked on a multi party continuity structure for a business critical insurance administration platform, combining temporary platform access, software licensing, escrow, data transfer, operational support and employee transition arrangements.
- 02
Helped structure a software continuity arrangement for pension administration systems, including synchronisation, documentation, testing, audit, release events and step in rights.
- 03
Drafted and negotiated strategic technology partnerships involving platform integration, API based data exchange, exclusivity, governance, commercialisation and source code escrow.
- 04
Worked on international R&D and funded development arrangements in biotech and agritech, including background IP, project results, field of use, commercialisation rights and post project scenarios.
- 05
Supported technology companies in negotiating SaaS, software development, cloud, licensing and implementation agreements with major commercial counterparties.
- 06
Regularly supports clients in technology contracting and negotiations with Belgian and Dutch public authorities and public sector organisations.
- 07
Performed IP, IT and commercial due diligence in numerous acquisitions and investments, followed by remediation, closing actions and implementation work.
- 08
Acted in two successful WIPO proceedings concerning domain names targeting the trademark of a European cybersecurity software company.
- 09
Worked on spin off and technology transfer structures involving staged licensing, milestone based IP transfer, royalties and equity participation.
- 10
Assisted with trademark applications, oppositions, coexistence arrangements and enforcement matters involving European and international right holders.
About Axel
Axel is an associate at Cresco in Belgium. He studied law at KU Leuven and holds an LL.M. in Law & Technology from Tilburg University. Before joining Cresco, he worked in legal technology and supported startups through several entrepreneurial and legal initiatives.
His practice combines commercial contracting with technology, IP and digital regulation. A recurring question across his work is how the contract signed today will affect ownership, operational continuity, future partnerships, fundraising and exit options later.
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