Areas Of Practice

 

IT & IP, Telecommunications and Media

In response to the rapid development of new technologies and the increasing demand of our clients, we provide complex legal services in the field of Information Technologies & Intellectual Property (IT & IP) and eBusiness. Our practice encompasses various kinds of IT & IP transactions, including acquisition, enforcement, licensing, joint ventures and other forms of protection and exploitation of IT & IP assets.

In addition, we advise our clients in matters concerning copyright and copyright related laws, such as motion picture productions and co-productions, production financing and agreements with authors and performing artists.

A significant part of our practice involves transactions concerning telecommunications and media. The lawyers of our firm have extensive experience in the field of television broadcasting and Internet. They have been advising some of the leading TV broadcasters, such as CET 21 spol. s r.o. (operator of TV Nova - the largest private TV station in the Czech Republic), on a number of issues, including the acquisition of new broadcasting licenses from the Council for Radio and Television Broadcasting and the long-term and complex process of the transition from terrestrial analog to terrestrial digital television broadcasting. In connection with the above, we have been advising our clients, which include large media agencies, with respect to the sale of television and Internet advertising as well as the development and structuring of sale policies.

In order to provide our clients with a complex set of services, KBA also participates in the lawmaking process regarding media and telecommunications legislation. Based on our substantive knowledge and reputation, we have been invited on numerous occasions by the responsible governmental authorities to provide our comments on draft laws to be adopted in the media and telecommunications sector, such as the Media Act, Electronic Communications Act, the Technical Plan of Transition from Terrestrial Analog Television Broadcasting to Terrestrial Digital Television Broadcasting and the Act on Audiovisual Media Services on Demand.

Selected engagements in the field of IT & IP, Telecommunications and Media in which KBA’s lawyers have been involved include representation and advising of:

  • CET 21 spol. s r.o. in connection with the process of transition from terrestrial analog television broadcasting to terrestrial digital television broadcasting.
  • CET 21 spol. s r.o. in connection with the obtaining of television broadcasting licenses.
  • A leading international media group in connection with the contemplated launch of Direct-to-Home (DTH) TV broadcasting and Czech law issues relating to the licensing proceedings connected thereto.
  • CET 21 in the preparation and structuring of a business policy related to the sale of advertising on television channels and Internet servers operated by CET 21
  • AVG Technologies CZ, s.r.o. (formerly GRISOFT, s.r.o.), the producer of the worldwide antivirus software AVG, including negotiations and preparation of numerous software licensing agreements and other related agreements.
  • A provider of advisory services in the field of software and hardware in connection with a dispute concerning the use of a technical solution regarding the sale of SMS tickets for the public transportation system.
  • A leading innovator and services provider in the field of payment solutions through cellular phones in connection with the preparation of contractual documentation regulating the cooperation of the company and its foreign business partners.
  • YMS Czech Republic, spol. s r.o. (formerly GCWare, spol. s r.o.), an operator of dynamic integrated traffic and navigation systems of the Fleet Management type, in connection with the preparation of contractual documentation regarding provision of electronic communication services. YMS Czech Republic, spol. s r.o. is a member of the YMS/GCWare alliance, which successfully realizes the implementation of system solutions within the European Union and the Near East Region.
  • Companies within the Media Pro Group, one of the leading European movie production groups, in connection with feature film productions and their financing, including foundation of SPV companies and preparation of contractual documentation.