The Legal 500

Austria > IT and telecommunications

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  1. IT and telecommunications
  2. Other recommended firms
  3. Leading individuals

Leading individuals

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.

Press releases

The latest news direct from law firms. If you would like to submit press releases for your firm, send an email request to

Legal Developments in Austria for IT and telecommunications

  • Reselling Used Apps?

    In a recent decision, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) held that the resale of used software generally cannot be excluded in licence terms. The judgment, which aimed at the resale of used business software, may also affect the app market. Read more...
    - Schönherr

Legal Developments in Austria

Legal Developments and updates from the leading lawyers in each jurisdiction. To contribute, send an email request to
  • Reselling Used Apps?

    In a recent decision, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) held that the resale of used software generally cannot be excluded in licence terms. The judgment, which aimed at the resale of used business software, may also affect the app market. Read more...
  • Austria: New Law Makes Establishing a GmbH Easier and Cheaper

    On Friday, 22 March 2013, a draft new law (Gesellschaftsrechts-Änderungsgesetz 2013 - GesRÄG 2013) was revealed by Minister of Justice Beatrix Karl and Minister of Economy Reinhold Mitterlehner. The GesRÄG 2013, which is expected to come into force on 1 July 2013, aims at facilitating the establishment of an Austrian limited liability company (Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung - GmbH). This article provides a summary of the draft. 
  • Mergers & Acquisitions 2013. Chapter 6: Austria.

    This guide provides corporate counsel and international practitioners with a comprehensive worldwide legal analysis of the laws and regulations of mergers and acquisitions. This article appeared in the 2013 edition of The International Comparative Legal Guide to: Mergers & Acquisitions; published by Global Legal Group Ltd, London. www.iclg.co.uk .
  • EU: Genuine Use of Community Trademarks Changes due to recent CJEU decision C-149/11

    EU-wide protected Community Trademarks (as well as national trademarks) have to be used for the claimed goods and services in the course of trade within the EU in order to maintain their protection and enforceability. A (partial) lack of use, however, does not automatically result in a (partial) lapse of the trademark registration. On the other hand, after an initial “grace period” of 5 years beginning with the registration of the trademark, genuine use of the trademark would have to be proven when enforcing such trademark against third parties; furthermore, anybody could request revocation of such trademark in so far as it had not been genuinely used for goods and services covered by the registration (Art 15, 51(1)(a) CTMR).
  • Real Estate 2013. Chapter 4: Austria

    This guide provides the international practitioner and in-house counsel with a comprehensive worldwide legal analysis of the laws and regulations of real estate. This article appeared in the 2013 edition of The International Comparative Legal Guide to: Real Estate; published by Global Legal Group Ltd, London. www.iclg.co.uk .
  • Real Estate 2013. The End of Extend and Pretend: Non-Performing Loans in CEE/SEE

    This guide provides the international practitioner and in-house counsel with a comprehensive worldwide legal analysis of the laws and regulations of real estate. This article appeared in the 2013 edition of The International Comparative Legal Guide to: Real Estate; published by Global Legal Group Ltd, London. www.iclg.co.uk . 
  • Client Alert: Amendments to Austrian Competition Law

    In December 2012, the Austrian Parliament adopted changes to the Austrian Cartel Act as well as the Austrian Competition Act that will enter into force as of 1 March 2013 (Austrian Cartel and Competition Law Amendment Act; KaWeRÄG 2012). Although the Amendment does not lead to a major overhaul of the current system, several changes are noteworthy: 
  • EU: European Commission releases Action Plan on European Company Law and Corporate Governance

    The Action Plan is titled "European company law and corporate governance – a modern legal framework for more engaged shareholders and sustainable companies" and was made public on 12 December 2012. Its key elements are presented in the following summary.
  • Austria: New laws on Hiring-Out of Labour

    Based on directive 2008/104/EC, Austria's hiring-out of labour laws have been amended (BGBl 98/2012). According to the directive, the implementation into national law should already have taken place by 5 December 2011. After a first failed attempt in February 2012 to implement the directive effective 1 July 2012, the implementation has now taken place belatedly, effective 1 January 2013. Furthermore, the new laws on the hiring-out of labour not only implemented the directive, but also stipulated further regulations for temporary work. This text provides an overview of the most important amendments in the new laws.
  • CEE: The Corruption Perception Index 2012

    Transparency International ("TI") released its Corruption Perception Index 2012 ("CPI 2012") earlier today. The Corruption Perception Index ranks countries based on how corrupt their public sector is perceived to be. The index, which reflects the views of observers from around the world, offers a yearly snapshot of the problem of corruption by ranking countries from all over the globe. The index covers issues such as free access to information, bribery of public officials, kickbacks in public procurement, and the enforcement of anti-corruption laws. The CPI 2012which is available at: http://cpi.transparency.org/cpi2012/results/ ranks 176 countries.

Press Releases in Austria

The latest news direct from law firms. If you would like to submit press releases for your firm, send an email request to
  • Austria/CEE: Schoenherr further expands its strong standing in new Chambers Global rankings

    Schoenherr's standing as a leading corporate law firm in Central and Europe Europe (CEE) has once again been confirmed by the rankings that Chambers & Partners, the distinguished legal directories publisher, released at the end of last week. Schoenherr practice areas in Austria and across CEE received a total of 17 rankings in the 2013 edition of Chambers Global, including seven top tier ("Band 1") rankings. Read more...
  • Austria: Schoenherr advises NOVOMATIC on acquisition of majority stake in I-NEW

    Schoenherr, a leading corporate law firm in Central and Eastern Europe, advised NOVOMATIC AG, one of the world's largest producers and operators of gaming technologies, in connection with its investment in I-NEW Unified Mobile Solutions AG. Following the 19 April 2013 signing, NOVOMATIC's acquisition of a 50.097 percent stake in I-NEW is expected to close in around two months. The parties agreed to keep the financial terms of the transaction confidential. Read more...
  • Schoenherr further expands its strong standing in new Chambers Global rankings

    Schoenherr's standing as a leading corporate law firm in Central and Europe Europe (CEE) has once again been confirmed by the rankings that Chambers & Partners, the distinguished legal directories publisher, released at the end of last week. Schoenherr practice areas in Austria and across CEE received a total of 17 rankings in the 2013 edition of Chambers Global, including seven top tier ("Band 1") rankings.
  • Austria/Turkey: Schoenherr advises Ganahl group on its Turkey expansion

    Schoenherr advised Austrian packaging group Ganahl AG on the acquisition of MKB Oluklu Mukavva Kutu ve Ambalaj San. Tic. A.S. ("MKB"). MKB is active in the corrugated packaging industry in Turkey, a sector which is currently attracting a lot of foreign investors. The transaction has been completed in February this year. The parties agreed to keep the purchase price confidential.
  • AT: Schoenherr publishes second edition of English-language basic primer on Austrian employment

    The need for English-language specialist literature on legal issues in Austria has risen with the increasing internationalisation of firms active in the country. Now available in a revised second edition, "Employment Law: A Basic Primer" provides interested practitioners with an overview of the most important provisions of Austrian employment law.
  • AT/CEE: Schoenherr advises bauMax creditors on financial restructuring package

    Schoenherr, a leading full-service corporate law firm in Central Europe, advised a group of some 40 Austrian and international creditors (lenders, bondholders and hedge counterparties) on the negotiation and execution of a comprehensive financial restructuring package for bauMax group, a leading DIY retailer in Austria and the CEE region.
  • AT: Schoenherr advises Austrian pharmaceutical wholesaler Jacoby...

    on its merger with gm pharmaSc
  • AT/Central Europe: Schoenherr maintains its top position in the Austrian M&A market in 2012

    Schoenherr, a leading full-service corporate law firm in Central Europe, maintained its top position in the Austrian M&A market in 2012, according to the league tables for legal advisors * published by the Financial Times Group's business intelligence subsidiary mergermarket. According to mergermarket's deals database, Schoenherr's M&A practice ranked No 1 in terms of the number of qualifying Austrian M&A transactions it advised on in 2012. Having ranked first on this basis in mergermarket's 2011 league table for Austria, Schoenherr thus continued to lead its legal advisory peers, 48 of which managed to earn a ranking in the 2012 table.
  • AT: Schoenherr advises France Telecom in sale of Orange Austria to Hutchison

    Schoenherr, a leading full-service corporate law firm in Central Europe, advised France Telecom-Orange as overall transaction counsel in the telecom company’s recently completed sale of its shareholding in Orange Austria to a unit of Hutchison Whampoa.
  • Schoenherr advises Daimler on the reorganization of its joint-venture with Pappas

    The Central European law firm Schoenherr advised Daimler AG on the reorganization of its joint-venture with the Austrian Pappas family. Daimler will acquire Pappas' share in Mercedes-Benz Österreich Vertriebsgesellschaft mbH (the general importer of Mercedes-Benz, smart and Fuso cars) and Mercedes-Benz Financial Services Austria GmbH, the Aus-trian financial services provider. Further, Daimler and Pappas will restructure the Austrian spare parts wholesale business from 1 January 2014; Daimler will provide spare parts from its logistics center in Nuremberg, Germany. Completion of the transaction is subject to merger control clearances. The purchase price is confidential.