The Legal 500

CMS’ team recently acted in a contentious IP matter for a leading software company. It also handles transactions for clients in the software sector, including advising Intel on its multi-jurisdictional acquisition of mobile navigation company Telmap. Corporate partners John Fitzpatrick and Horea Popescu lead the practice.

Musat & Asociatii’s IT team has ‘a strong understanding of the local business and legislative environment’. It advised General Motors on the regulatory aspects of the proposed installation of the GM Infotainment system and On-Star System into cars on sale in Romania. It also advised Apple Inc regarding sales of its products in Romania through the Apple Store, and represented Facebook in a project relating to music management embedded in Facebook pages. Other clients include Discover Europe, First Data and Intel. Catalin Baiculescu is ‘responsive, influential and well connected’.

Nestor Nestor Diculescu Kingston Petersen assisted Orange during ANCOM’s tender process to bid for the rights to use certain radio frequencies, and recently advised an international automotive manufacturer on the implementation of eCall devices. Other clients include Microsoft Romania, Nokia Romania and Level 3 Communications. Adina Chilim-Dumitriu is the practice head.

Popovici Nitu & Asociatii is recommended for its handling of complex matters. In 2012, it advised Orange Romania on the expansion of its 3G licence, and assisted Hewlett-Packard Romania with various matters including the implementation of public procurement contracts for e-prescription software and an electronic health register. The team also handles corporate and transactional matters, including the merger of GTS Telecom and Datek Telecom.

Tuca Zbarcea & Asociatii provides ‘an excellent service’ to clients including Cosmote Romania, for which it recently acted in a public consultation regarding the regulatory framework applicable to mobile virtual operators. It also represented Vodafone in its bid for usage rights relating to various radio frequencies. Other clients include Ericsson Telecommunications, PokerStars and Cinema City. Vlad Cercel and Şerban Pâslaru are the key lawyers.

bpv Grigorescu Stefánicá’s team is ‘very responsive, reliable, and good value for money’. In addition to corporate matters, it also provides more specialist advice, including acting for MediaCafé on trade mark and copyright matters, and advising The Institute for Computers on software and technology services procurement. Alexandru Rusu and Catalin Grigorescu are recommended.

Biris Goran SCPA has significant IP expertise. Highlights included acting for Inspire Multiplex Private on the registration of its trade mark portfolio, and advising Red Bull Romania on IP matters and sponsorship agreements relating to advertising and promotional campaigns. Ana Maria Andronic heads the team.

Bulboaca & Asociatii has ‘in-depth market knowledge and a strong team that provides excellent value for money’. It advised The Walt Disney Company on the provision of electronic content in Romania, and Verizon Romania on the provision of telecoms services. Practice head Razvan Stoicescu is ‘a brilliant adviser – he has excellent legal expertise and combines this with fantastic technical understanding’.

Clifford Chance Badea’s IT and media practice mainly focuses on corporate advice. Recent highlights include advising Innova Capital on its acquisition of card-processing business PayNet. Daniel Badea and Nadia Badea are the key partners.

Dentons acted for OMV Petrom during contractual negotiations concerning its outsourcing of data processing to IBM. It was also selected to advise Gucci on a review of its website terms and conditions. Other clients include Medicarom and CHS. Managing partner Anda Todor is the key figure.

Eversheds Lina & Guia handled a number of corporate matters for clients, and also advised Cosmote on compliance issues and represented another client in an IP dispute with a privately owned broadcaster. Christian Lina heads the practice.

Peli Filip represented a large mobile services operator in an abuse of dominance case, and acted for a major cable distributor in disputes with a broadcaster and the National Audiovisual Council of Romania. Carmen Peli and Cristina Filip are recommended.

RTPR Allen & Overy (Radu Taracila Padurari Retevoescu SCA in association with Allen & Overy LLP) provides corporate support to various clients in the IT, telecoms and media sector. It recently advised KapschBusinessCom on its acquisition of Squario IT Solutions, and assisted 3TS Capital Partners with its purchase of a stake in Avangate. Costin Tărăcilă heads the team.

Vernon | David is ‘an outstanding firm with excellent legal knowledge’. The team is particularly strong in trade mark and other brand management matters, and in 2012 it represented Kosarom in a trade mark dispute. It also acted for BSB in trade mark registration litigation. Practice head Luiza Gijga is ‘highly knowledgeable in the field of intellectual property’.

Vilau & Mitel’s expertise covers corporate advice to media and IT industry clients, and IP enforcement for multinational semiconductor chip manufacturers. Madalina Paisa heads the practice.

Andra Musatescu Law & Industrial Property Offices handles the full spectrum of IT, telecoms and media work for clients such as Orange, EMI and a number of IT and media companies. Recent mandates include various trade mark matters, media-related brand protection work, and patent filings. Practice head Andra Musatescu is recommended.

Buzescu Ca’s ‘responsive and committed’ team advised Google on issues relating to its Romanian subsidiary’s registration with the Data Protection Agency. It is also advising the European Network and Information Security Agency on a study relating to data collection and storage. Other clients include Keydrive and Cobalt IT. Senior associate Magda Alexandru has ‘good knowledge of Romanian data protection law’.

D&B David si Baias continues to represent Orange in three Competition Council investigations. Sorin David is the main contact.

Adrian Roseti heads Drakopoulos Law Firm’s team, which advised Upstream Romania on negotiations with Vodafone regarding e-commerce software solutions, and acted for Reckitt Benckiser on a number of TV and online advertising campaign matters.

Platis Bazilescu LLLP advised eBay on the hosting immunity regime, and represented Infoclick and Newsphone Hellas in tenders before ANCOM. Nicoleta Gheorghe heads the group.

Stratula Mocanu & Asociatii is noted for its film and TV practice. It advises UPC on issues such as cable network permits and negotiations with TV stations. Cosmin Mocanu and practice head Sorin Stratula give ‘great technical advice’.

Voicu & Filipescu SCA represented a large cable telecoms company in litigation against the Customers Protection Agency, and advised a home credit business on data protection and cloud computing issues. Other clients include Dell Services and UPC. Daniel Voicu heads the team.