The Legal 500

Brauneis Klauser Prändl Rechtsanwälte GmbH is experienced in software and hardware related matters, and acts for a roster of mainly blue-chip clients. Felix Prändl and Arno Brauneis are well-known practitioners in the field. The firm also has a notable data protection practice.

The ‘top-quality’ team at CHSH Cerha Hempel Spiegelfeld Hlawati has ‘excellent knowledge’ and gives ‘practical advice’. It recently advised Gilead Sciences on IT and data protection matters, including the establishment of a whistleblowing hotline. It continues to act for Hewlett-Packard, recently assisting on the implementation of cloud computing solutions in Austria; and advised Telekom Austria on regulatory issues relating to its acquisition of Yesss! Telekommunikation. Georg Konrad and Albert Birkner are recommended.

DLA Piper Weiss-Tessbach counts the T-Mobile/Deutsche Telekom brand as a longstanding client, acting for the mobile giant on transactions and in litigation. Elsewhere, it finalised a software licensing agreement for Iventa consultancy group relating to an internet-based HR platform; and assisted on code of conduct and whistleblowing matters. Other clients include Atello Telecom First Data Austria, Telekom Austria and Western Union Financial Services. Wolfgang Freund covers data protection issues, and Alexander Cizek has significant software and IT law experience.

‘Extremely accurate and always focused’, Dorda Brugger Jordis is ‘definitely the IT firm to go to in Austria’; there is ‘no other team that is so big and so clearly focused on IT’. It continues to attract work from a raft of well-known domestic and international clients. In 2012, it worked with Deutsche Post AG in outsourcing negotiations with UniCredit Bank Austria; acted in a number of court cases for T-Mobile Austria; and advised the Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety (AGES) on a project to harmonise the IT infrastructure of medical agencies within EU countries. Axel Anderl is noted as a strong negotiator.

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has ‘a great team’. It recently advised Hutchison 3G Austria on the upgrade of its entire mobile communications network to LTE, which involved Chinese suppliers; supported NetCo on the revision of major security arrangements between the client and Nokia Siemens Networks; and advised a number of domestic energy providers on issues arising from a ‘backbone’ agreement with Tele2 Telecommunication GmbH. Bertram Burtscher is well respected and ‘very competent’.

Gassauer-Fleissner Rechtsanwälte GmbH’s ‘flexibility and problem-solving ability are far above the market standard’. Its specialist IT practice is well respected in the market, and its client base includes international vendors, hi-tech companies and financial institutions. Its recent workload spans outsourcing, data protection and strategic licensing matters. Head of IT Max W Mosing is noted for his deep knowledge and ‘legally immaculate solutions’.

Andréewitch & Simon is a small firm of five lawyers, with Markus Andréewitch leading on the IT side. Its recent work includes advising on cloud computing and data protection issues, and it has specialisms in IT mediation and procurement law.

Ivo Rungg heads a ‘diligent’ team at Binder Grösswang Rechtsanwälte, and has ‘very wide and excellent legal knowledge’. The team’s recent work includes advising Tele2 Austria in a pending case over alleged unfair commercial practices.

CMS has ‘professional business knowledge’, and is ‘good value for money’. It recently advised Amazon on launching its Kindle product in Austria. Johannes Juranek heads the team.

Eisenberger & Herzog acted for a number of international clients across a variety of industries in 2012, including assisting in relation to whistleblower hotlines, litigation surrounding e-business activities, and data protection compliance. Andreas Zellhofer heads both the IT and IP practices.

Constantin Kletzer is head of Fiebinger Polak Leon Rechtsanwälte’s IT team, and impresses with his experience and ‘concise opinions’. The firm saw an increased flow of regulatory work, and also advised on e-invoicing systems.

Hasch & Partner Anwaltsgesellschaft mbH’s IT work is covered by Bernhard Steindl and Franz Guggenberger, whose specialisms include licensing agreements and antitrust matters.

Höhne, In der Maur & Partner Rechtsanwälte GmbH is known for its media-related work advising broadcasters, publishers, television stations and newspapers. Thomas Höhne and Georg Streit are recommended contacts.

In 2012, Karasek Wietrzyk Rechtsanwälte GmbH advised on several international trade mark and data protection issues, led by head of department Arno Cichocki.

Preslmayr Attorneys at Law’s practice covers e-commerce and data protection issues, with Rainer Knyrim at its helm.

Schoenherr’s ‘outstanding’ team gives ‘precise’ advice that is ‘closely co-ordinated’ with clients’ needs, and advises high-calibre clients such as France Telekom and Tele2. The firm also has a dedicated team focusing on new technologies. Thomas Wenger is ‘an excellent analyst’.

TaylorWessing e|n|w|c Attorneys at Law has a strong relationship with A1 Telekom Austria, recently advising it on a variety of matters including data protection, licensing agreements, TV campaigns and unfair competition cases. Martin Prohaska-Marchried is an experienced advocate.

Wolf Theiss is highlighted for its ‘in-depth business knowledge’ and ‘very quick response times’, and acts for an impressive array of international companies including Facebook, Google and Swarovski. Georg Kresbach has ‘outstanding expertise’ in IT matters.

Cabjolsky & Otto Rechtsanwälte OG recently advised an online marketing company and a private bank on IT matters. Gerald Otto heads the group.

Eversheds Austria’s IT department is led by Georg Röhsner. It recently assisted clients in acquiring satellite TV licences and negotiating contracts with the satellite providers.

Areas of experience for Legis – Cooperative Association of Attorneys include new technology and e-commerce matters. Dietmar Huemer is the contact.

Mag Marcus Essl, LL.M., M.E.S is ‘a highly specialised one-man boutique’ providing ‘exceptionally sound’ and ‘personal’ advice. Its recent work includes product piracy, copyright, internet crime and trade mark matters.

DDr Meinhard Ciresa has experience in all aspects of software law, auditing and other internet-related issues.

Dr Norbert Wiesinger, Law Offices’ experienced team has handled IT matters for the past 15 years, and has experience at state and EU court level. Its clients include Verizon and Colt Telecom.

Sattler & Schanda’s boutique offering is active in domain name, software and copyright matters. On the internet side, it acts for suppliers of search engines and e-commerce companies. Reinhard Schanda is recommended.

Willheim Müller Rechtsanwalte provides advice to film, theatre, and other media outlets on licensing agreements and other contractual matters.

The team at boutique practice Windisch : Law Offices includes Bettina Windisch-Altieri, who is able to ‘translate extremely complex matters so that non-lawyers also understand’. The firm is notable for its e-commerce expertise.