tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5574479.post8729099992958336708..comments2024-03-19T06:27:47.905+00:00Comments on The IPKat: IP Summit 2016 (First Part)Verónica RodrÃguez Arguijohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05763207846940036921noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5574479.post-57966593935573670712017-01-30T10:34:58.179+00:002017-01-30T10:34:58.179+00:00Michael @Michael Factor,
I really enjoyed reading...Michael @Michael Factor,<br /><br />I really enjoyed reading your blog review of the conference and your time in Brussels. It took me more than a year to work out the automaton for buying a mtro ticket (I thought they weren't working each time I tried). Despite its recent troubles and its serious scruffiness in parts, Brussels is much more live and let live than Paris. It is not hugely welcoming, still not a services economy but it is still not hostile to most newcomers.Renting a huge apartment/house with space is easy, with little hassle. I know of colleagues from Paris that try to stay on simply because of the space. I wonder why it hasn't figured in the places to get Brexit business because I for one think Paris is a non starter (don't rush to comment).Tax is very high as is red tape and bureaucracy though but it is the same in Paris. Paris has deeper social and security problems. <br /><br />Belgium is very Catholic but socially very liberal and not especially practising(one of the first on gay marriage and that seems very widespread; legal cohabitation for both hetero and single sex couples). Brussels has a strong Jewish community which is largely non practising with links to law firms and particular universities (ULB) vs UC Louvain (which is Catholic).With time you realise that in Belgium (least so), Netherlands (slightly more so), Germany (definitely so), religion matters especially if you are Protestant as opposed to Catholic.Judaism is still a traditional feature of Belgium and France (although many in that French community have moved to London).I say this because I really thought beofre I lived here that these societies were as irreligious as the Brits (used to be?). But yes, all these countries have large and largely unintegrated Islamic communities (compared to the UK which say what you like about Birmingham is simply not at the same level of non-integration) which as part of the mix makes things a bit volatile especially if you want Brexit business.<br /><br />Your comments seems on par for conferences in Brussels where the highlight is always the catering except when it is the Commission hosting. I have never actually known anyone who takes this particular conference seriously -too expensive but it is the most heavily advertised each year.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5574479.post-61563638621121760682017-01-30T08:54:04.039+00:002017-01-30T08:54:04.039+00:00For a more timely, if less comprehensive and more ...For a more timely, if less comprehensive and more irreverend review, see:<br /><br />https://blog.ipfactor.co.il/2016/12/12/premier-cercle-ip-conference-in-brussels/<br /><br />Michael Factorhttp://blog.ipfactor.co.ilnoreply@blogger.com