We provide sound and practical legal solutions which take into account our clients’ perspective, concerns and priorities.
Our teams have been working together within and across departments for many years to provide a specialised, consistent and high-standard service.
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- Aviation
- Banking, Finance & Capital Markets
- Corporate & M&A
- Employment
- Energy & Environment
- EU, Competition & Antitrust
- Human Rights
- Insurance
- Intellectual Property, Data Protection & Privacy
- Life Sciences & Healthcare
- Litigation, Arbitration & Dispute Resolution
- Privatisations
- Project Finance & Public Private Partnerships
- Public Procurement
- Real Estate
- Tax
- Telecommunications, Media & Technology
Bernitsas Law is a market leader in the provision of commercial law services in Greece and one of the largest firms in the country.
Telecommunications, Media & Technology
Our practice is one of the foremost in Greece. We advise all market participants on regulatory compliance, reporting requirements, licensing, data protection, commercial agreements, corporate transactions and disputes in these sectors.
a top-notch practice
The Legal 500 EMEA 2019
well-informed ... deep knowledge and experience ... full-service offering ... they can cover complex matters
Chambers Europe 2019
experts in the field of telecommunications ... always inform us of various changes in the regulations in a timely manner
Chambers Europe 2018
one of the best in Greece in the telecommunications field ... expert lawyers provide very good, responsive and clear advice
The Legal 500 EMEA 2018
source highlights the practitioners’ responsibility and devotion
Chambers Europe 2018
a corporate powerhouse with an impressive TMT department
Chambers Europe 2017
delivers detailed responses in a timely manner and stands out for its knowledge of the field and its client-friendly approach
The Legal 500 EMEA 2016
Our history dates back to advising the Hellenic Republic on the drafting of the first bills leading to the liberalisation of the market and on the award of the first cellular licences to private operators. Since then, we have consistently acted in groundbreaking transactions in this sector, advising telecom entities in regulatory, antitrust, mergers, acquisitions, restructurings and capital markets offerings. We advise leading telecommunications providers, many on an ongoing basis, on their regulatory compliance, commercial activities and licensing, antitrust, data privacy, tax and employment matters. We have experience in assisting foreign telecoms operators in establishing or expanding their presence in Greece. Our team is also skilled in representing clients before the Hellenic Telecommunications and Post Commission (EETT) and other regulatory bodies and works with our Disputes team in administrative and commercial litigation in this sector.
Our practice has acted for many of the major television and radio stations, newspaper and publishing groups, production and media companies in Greece, many of which we advised from their establishment. We have years of experience in drafting distribution, licensing, transmission, production, joint venture, outsourcing and advertising agreements and representing clients before the National Council for Radio and Television (ESR) and the courts. We advise on the data protection and privacy requirements and competition and antitrust issues affecting our clients’ businesses. We have acted in significant restructurings, mergers, acquisitions and financings in the Media sector.
We provide end-to-end legal services to suppliers, distributors, developers, technology companies and their customers. We have experience advising on outsourcing, service, supply, systems procurement and software and hardware licensing and distribution agreements. Our practice has a sector specific focus on regulatory risk and compliance, in particular internet and e-commerce, data protection and privacy rules as these relate to technology activities, electronic communications, signatures and encryption and export control. Our Intellectual Property team advises on copyright, patent and trademark protection, infringement and enforcement for technology and software. We also represent clients in disputes, particularly relating to systems procurement and IT contracts.
Who to contact
Contact Augustine
Recognitions
CYTA Cyprus Sale of Cyta Hellas to Vodafone
Bernitsas Law advised CYTA Cyprus in their sale of CYTA Hellas SA to Vodafone-Panafon Hellenic Telecommunications Co. SA, with a transaction value of €118m.
BMW Hellas and BMW Austria Bank Advice
We advise BMW Hellas and BMW Austria Bank (Athens Branch) in relation to data protection issues, including GDPR compliance projects, as well as with regard to the contractual documents and privacy statements concerning its ConnectedDrive services.
Net Neutrality Advice
We advised a multinational technology company, active in the e-commerce marketplace, on the regulatory framework governing network neutrality issues, such as a zero-rating policy intended to be launched by a local telecoms operator.
Data Protection in the Electronics Sector
We are advising the Greek subsidiary of a market leader in electric and electronic devices on data protection issues, including its regulatory obligations under former data privacy regime, such as submission of notifications to the Hellenic Data Protection Authority (HDPA), advising on the transfer of personal data outside the EEA, reviewing the relevant data transfer agreements, advising on employee monitoring and assisting on the drafting of data protection policies and privacy statements, as well as on its GDPR compliance exercise.
Advice to Acun Medya
We advise Acun Medya Turkey and Acun Medya Greece on the drafting, negotiating and execution of TV production agreements with stations in Greece and agreements with TV series participants and services providers in Greece and abroad, as well as consulting and sponsorship agreements, employment issues and GDPR compliance projects.
Licensing and Regulatory Compliance in Telecoms Sector
We provide ongoing legal support to a multinational provider of global voice origination services, operating under a general authorisation regime in Greece, in relation to the regulatory aspects of telecoms law and compliance with their licensing requirements to the Hellenic Telecommunications and Post Commission (EETT).
Mobile Network Access
We advised a Japanese telecommunications company with regard to its contemplated resale of mobile network access to automobile companies in Greece.
Advice to International Telecoms Company
We advised an international telecoms operator on the surveillance and censorship laws and regulations in place, on the classification of telecommunications networks as critical national infrastructure and on specific obligations arising under the local rules to ensure the security of the network infrastructure to which operators of telecoms networks must adhere.
Recording of Public Images Advice
We have advised a multinational automotive supplier in respect of data privacy issues relating to the recording of images from public spaces through test cameras operated on test vehicles for R&D purposes.
Advice to International Software Solutions Manufacturer
We advised an international software solutions manufacturer on domestic data protection and telecommunications law implications of the implementation of their customer data processing software solution by the local subsidiary of a European telecommunications provider.
Advice on Provision of Free Wi-Fi Services
We advised a leading owner, developer and manager of designer outlets on the provision of free Wi-Fi services in their mall in Greece.
Advice on Communications Management System
We advised a leading international science company on the use of a marketing preference and communications management system from a US software provider and the transfer of the local subsidiary’s customers’ personal information to a data center in the US for marketing purposes.
Online Banking Platform Compliance Issues
We advised a foreign financial institution on the legal and regulatory framework and compliance risks associated with their use of a web-based online platform for corporate clients.
Data Protection Training and Advice to Multinational Mass Media Corporation
We have provided training to the international multi-media business of a multinational mass media corporation on the application of the local data protection and privacy principles in the context of mobile apps and websites, covering topics such as privacy policies, obtaining consent, data analysis, cookies, the right to be forgotten, privacy by design and the rules applicable to dealing with children online.
Communication Privacy Security Policy
We advised an international telecoms company in relation to the implementation of a security policy for the purposes of safeguarding communication privacy required by the Hellenic Authority for Communication Security and Privacy (ADAE).
- advice on national and EU law and regulations governing telecoms, media and technology
- application of EU and national data privacy legislation to telecoms or technology related activities and industries
- applications for telecoms licenses to the Hellenic Telecommunications and Post Commission (EETT)
- compliance with EETT regulatory and reporting requirements
- applications for transmission, production and advertising licences to the National Council for Radio and Television (ESR)
- compliance with ESR licensing requirements
- advice on commercial agreements, including joint ventures, agency, distribution, transmission, production, management,
- advertising and licensing agreements
- advice on intellectual property rights arising from the provision of media, telecoms and technology related activities