Digital

and

GLOBAL.

The best possible protection starts with understanding: We know the legal challenges of the IT industry in IP and IT law and have been successfully advising our clients in this area for many years.

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IT industry

Die IT-Branche zählt zu den dynamischsten und zukunftsträchtigsten Industriezweigen weltweit. Sie umfasst so unterschiedliche Bereiche wie Softwareentwicklung, Cloud Computing, Cyber Security, Künstliche Intelligenz (KI), Internet of Things (IoT) sowie Big Data und Data Analytics. Diese Branchen treiben Innovationen in nahezu allen Wirtschaftsbereichen voran. Der globale und digitalisierte Markt bringt ständig neue Geschäftsmodelle und technologische Entwicklungen hervor – ein Umfeld, das nicht nur technisches Know-how, sondern auch fundierte rechtliche Beratung erfordert, um Risiken zu minimieren und Wettbewerbsvorteile zu sichern.

The IT sector is the engine of digital transformation – it creates new business opportunities through innovative technologies and global networking and at the same time requires a legally secure framework in order to make sustainable use of these opportunities.

Relevant areas of the IT industry

Software development

Software development is at the heart of the IT industry. Agile methods, continuous updates and innovative licensing models present companies with complex challenges, particularly with regard to copyright and contract design. The use of open source software also requires clear legal regulations to protect intellectual property.

Cloud computing

Cloud services offer companies flexibility and scalability, but require careful contractual and data protection checks. Compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and special IT security regulations is essential in order to avoid liability risks.

Cybersecurity

As digitalization increases, so does the risk of cyberattacks. Companies need to invest in robust IT security concepts and observe the legal framework in order to protect their systems and data effectively.

Artificial intelligence (AI)

AI is an important driver of innovation, but it also raises new legal questions. Issues such as liability, transparency and ethical responsibility are at the heart of the discussion when it comes to the use of intelligent systems.

Internet of Things (IoT) and Big Data

The networking of numerous devices (IoT) and the analysis of large amounts of data (big data) open up new opportunities – but also pose challenges for data protection and data processing.

IP and IT law in the IT industry

The IT industry is characterized by constant technological change, internationality, innovation and creativity. Companies in this industry face particular challenges when it comes to protecting their software, know-how, trademarks and technologies. At the same time, digital business models, online trading and data protection are becoming increasingly important. Sound legal advice in intellectual property and IT law is therefore essential in order to assert oneself in the market, protect one’s own innovations and minimize legal risks in IT projects.

Depending on the business model and orientation of the company, different areas of law can become relevant in the field of IP and IT law.

Trademarks in IT

Eine starke Marke ist auch für IT-Unternehmen unerlässlich, um sich im Wettbewerb zu behaupten und das Vertrauen der Kunden zu gewinnen. Eine Marke kann die eigene Position im Kampf um Aufmerksamkeit im Internet stärken und Trittbrettfahrer und dubiose Anbieter, die sich an die eigene Marke anhängen wollen, auf Distanz halten. Dies ist auch im Zusammenhang mit der Registrierung und Nutzung von Domains relevant. Hier spielen längst nicht mehr nur Wort- und Bildmarken eine wichtige Rolle, sondern auch andere Markenformen, um sich rechtlich abzusichern und die eigenen Assets zu schützen.

We support companies in the IT industry worldwide in the registration, administration and monitoring of trademarks. We carry out similarity searches in advance to ensure that new trademarks are clearly distinguishable from existing ones and thus eligible for protection. On behalf of our clients, we effectively enforce trademark rights against infringers or defend our clients against trademark claims.

Competition law and know-how protection

Especially in a globalized IT market, the protection of trade secrets and innovative advantages is of crucial importance. Competition law provides the framework for preventing unfair business practices, while know-how protection safeguards the internal value of a company.

Der Know-How-Schutz bietet die Möglichkeit, vertrauliche Geschäftsinformationen vor unbefugtem Erwerb, unbefugter Nutzung und Offenlegung zu schützen. IT-Unternehmen sollten daher wirksame Maßnahmen ergreifen, um ihre sensiblen Informationen, wie z.B. Software-Code, effektiv zu schützen.

In addition, issues of market obstruction and market restriction play a particularly important role in the area of competition law, as many IT sectors are dominated by individual or a few large providers.

Patents in the IT sector

Das Patentrecht schützt technische Erfindungen und ist daher auch für die IT-Branche interessant. Allerdings ist die Patentierbarkeit von Software in vielen Ländern, so auch in Deutschland, eingeschränkt. IN Deutschland sind Programme für Datenverarbeitungsanlagen als solche nicht patentierbar. Ein Patent für Software kann jedoch erteilt werden, wenn eine Software einen “technischen Beitrag” leistet, also ein konkretes technisches Problem mit technischen Mitteln löst.

The legal situation regarding software patents varies internationally. In the USA, for example, software inventions can be patented more easily, whereas in the European Union, patent protection is only granted with restraint.

Software licensing and copyright

The most important property right in the IT sector is probably copyright, as software generally enjoys copyright protection, at least if it was created by humans. Software products are exploited by granting copyright usage rights via corresponding license agreements.

It is crucial to establish clear rules to protect intellectual property and to prevent and restrict unauthorized use and editing to the extent permitted. The protection of the company’s own source code is regularly of great importance. The access required by customers in exceptional situations can be guaranteed via escrow agreements.

Data protection and data security

Compliance with and consideration of data protection regulations and IT security laws is of central importance for all IT companies. This is because the IT industry is not only concerned with protecting its own data, but also the data entrusted to it by its customers, meaning that privacy by design must be taken into account during development.

IT is far more than just technology – it is a key economic factor and driver of innovation. Only those who know the specific legal challenges of the IT sector and take suitable protective measures at an early stage can operate successfully in the long term. Comprehensive advice on IT and IP law forms the basis for avoiding legal risks and strengthening your own competitiveness.