The Legal 500

IT matters such as outsourcing, internet and software law are the main focus of Baker & McKenzie, v.o.s., advokátní kancelár’s practical and responsive TMT practice, while IP work is also a factor of the practice. Associate Jirí Cermák, who heads the group, advised on implementing a Europe-wide banking software system for Raiffaisenbank, and Telefónica O2 on an IT service outsourcing bid from CEZ. Google is another major client, which the team advised on licensing, media and data protection matters, while Fox International Channels is a new client. Telecoms and media expert Tomas Skoumal is ‘exceptionally good’. He led advice to Société Générale on completing an agreement with Orange for outsourcing a telecoms service project and provided regulatory advice to telecoms companies.

Cermak Horejs Matejka a spol. is a well-regarded patent law boutique headed by Karel Cermak and Jan Matejka. It advises clients on contentious and non-contentious matters.

Pierstone’s Prague-based TMT team displays excellent industry knowledge. Jana Pattynová is well regarded for her technical expertise in telecoms regulatory matters, while Tomas Schollaert handles technology sector M&A and Lenka Suchankova focuses on IP and media instructions. Clients include international and regional companies and investors, as well as state-owned interests. Recent highlights include representing AVG Technologies on its acquisition of a Czech software developer. Meanwhile, the firm remains lead commercial counsel for Microsoft in the jurisdiction, and also acts for Walt Disney and Apple. On the litigation front, the group represented Tele2 in reaching a €130m damages settlement with Telefónica O2 Czech Republic regarding a competition law breach.

Vyskocil, Kroslak a spol.’s František Vyskocil and Petr Ostrouchov lead an IP practice that focuses on copyright in relation to media and entertainment law, particularly in the film and music industries. Vyskocil advised local film industry bodies, such as the Association of Motion Picture Producers, and Czech film production company Biograf Jan Sverák on various matters, and also represented Metrostav in IP litigation. Ostrouchov recently handled drafting and disputes for leading record labels such as Sony, Universal and Czech classical music label, Supraphon, as well as advising local film production company Negativ on financing, distribution and production agreements.

Václav Valvoda leads Allen & Overy’s communications, media and technology practice in Prague. Recent highlights include advising Ceské Radiokomunikace on regulatory issues concerning its digital television broadcasting services and on selling its retail operation to T-Mobile Czech Republic. WPP is another significant client.

Having entered the market in 2008, Bird & Bird s.r.o lost associate Tomáš Novák, who previously led the Prague team, and is now running his own practice. Regional practice head Stephen Kines’ ‘deep IT industry knowledge and J worldwide experience’ is recommended along with ‘new star’ Vojtech Chloupek, who heads the IP team in Prague, and Miloslav Šinfeld. The team’s expertise spans media, technology, pharmaceuticals and energy. Recently, the practice advised clients on acquisitions and restructuring in the telecoms, broadcasting and electronics industries, and advised international brand names on copyright and other IP issues. Clients include BKS Capital Group, Discovery Channel and Infosys Technologies.

CMS Cameron McKenna v.o.s.’s TMT practice represents clients such as 3i Group, Hitachi, local IT company AutoCont and private equity groups, and has particular experience in representing IT clients. Ian Parker and senior associate Tomas Matejovsky head the team, which has been advising on various regulatory and IP issues including litigation, drafting agreements and domain name matters. IP specialist Gabriela Vendlova left to set up Law Offices of JUDr Gabriela Vendlova, Ph.D and Partners.

Vit Horácek heads the TMT practice at Glatzová & Co., v.o.s., which handles non-contentious matters and litigation. Jindrich Jelínek also advises on IT and IP issues for clients such as Ford, Mazda and Volvo, as well as local technology company Ysoft.

Kinstellar s.r.o advokátní kancelár’s ‘very efficient’ counsel Hana Gawlasova heads the TMT group in Prague, which advises clients such as Microsoft and British Telecom on IT and telecoms. Recent instructions include advising on regulatory, data protection and corporate matters, including competition law issues relating to a cross-border acquisition and a successful settlement in a domestic IT arbitration regarding software agreements.

Richard Wagner heads the team at Pokorný, Wagner & Partners, which also includes IP specialist Pavel Beránek and telecoms expert Dalibor Šalek. Wagner and Beránek advise clients such as Nestlé and Telefónica O2 on trade mark, competition, data protection and licensing matters, while Šalek recently advised MobilKom on regulatory issues before the local authority. Other clients include Czech Airlines and CSOB.

Squire, Sanders & Dempsey, v.o.s., advokátní kancelár is focused particularly on telecoms, with practice head Petr Slach leading advice on transactional, regulatory, EU and competition law matters. Clients include T-Mobile, Orange and Amdocs. The team advised Bohemia TeleKom on funding, licensing and mobile network operational issues.

Weil, Gotshal & Manges’s managing partner Karel Muzikar leads the TMT practice, with Martin Kramar also advising on regulatory litigation. The practice represents state and municipal authorities as well as corporate clients, and recently advised the City of Prague on competition aspects of an electronic payment card system. The team also represented Telefónica O2 in litigation against several local competitors concerning regulatory issues.

Weinhold Legal, v.o.s. advises on telecoms, media and internet matters. Clients include 20th Century Fox, Thomson Reuters, Vodafone and various state ministries. Practice head Martin Lukáš has experience in IT, IP and competition law, including data protection and security matters, while Thilo Hoffman advises on IT and telecoms outsourcing for clients such as Mafra and Siemens. The team also acted for Walt Disney Group on licensing and IP protection rights.

White & Case’s TMT practice is led by Václav Jerman, whose experience includes IT and telecoms corporate and regulatory matters. Michal Smrek is particularly notable for private equity transactions relating to telecoms, IP or entertainment. The group’s recent instructions include IP rights transactions for IT and media companies.

Ondrej Knebl leads the TMT practice at BBH, advokatni kancelar, v.o.s., and has particular experience in IT law and outsourcing. The Czech Ministry of the Interior is a key client, which the team advised on telecoms and ICT infrastructure services, including contract agreements and outsourcing. Other clients include the insurer Ceská pojišt’ovna and Omnicom Media Group. Former practice head Jan Petrik left the firm.

Pavel Vincik leads bpv Braun Partners TMT team, which advises software producers on licensing agreements, data protection and IP infringement issues.

Peter Valert heads DLA Piper Prague LLP’s regional TMT group, and the Prague team advises IT and telecoms clients on IP, data protection and licensing issues. Clients include global names from the media, banking and pharmaceutical sectors.

Havel, Holásek & Partners s.r.o. advises IT, media and telecoms companies on matters relating to IP, data protection, regulatory, IT outsourcing, software implementation, and M&A. Recent highlights include advising IBM on software and IP issues for a major Czech project and representing T-Mobile during its acquisition of Ceské Radiokomunikace. The group also advised Kapsch TrafficCom on regulatory and trade mark law concerning an electronic payment system for a toll road. Its eclectic client base includes TV broadcasters, investment companies, publishing houses and online travel agencies. Robert Nešpurek heads the team.

Prague-based Pavel Kvicala heads Norton Rose v.o.s.’s TMT group, and advises on telecoms, regulatory, licensing and competition matters and IP disputes. Recent work includes advising Genesis on its acquisition of Profimedia Group, and representing Sandoz/Hexal in patent matters.

Robert Nemec heads PRK Partners’ TMT practice, which advises telecoms clients on regulatory and licensing issues.

Rowan Legal recently advised T-Systems on contract agreements concerning outsourcing IT services for a mobile operator. Practice head Martin Maisner specialises in IT law and acts on contentious and non-contentious instructions. Josef Donát focuses on outsourcing. Tomáš Nielsen left the firm.

Traplová Hakr Kubát Law and Patent Offices’ Jarmila Traplová specialises in contentious and non-contentious trade mark matters.

Josef Vejmelka and Petr Wünsch at Vejmelka & Wünsch, s.r.o. offer advice on IP and IT issues.