The use of information technologies (IT) has revolutionized the economy on a massive scale. Almost all industries and business areas are affected. Digitization is leading to disruptive changes in products, services, processes, markets and, increasingly, in the organization and culture of companies. In result companies have to face a lot of legal challenges while using new technologies or artificial intelligence (AI).
The digital transformation is being driven decisively by cloud computing, Big Data, the Internet of Things (IOT) and the increasing use of AI and thus machine learning. Not only are data-based business models emerging but also service quality, customer experience or customer loyalty can be significantly improved across all industries. Moreover costs can be reduced and the efficiency of customer-centric and internal business processes can be increased.
Cloud computing is already standard in IT today and the basis for further innovative solutions. These include IOT use cases such as Industry 4.0, Connected Car, Smart Energy, Smart City or Smart Transport. They are all based on new technologies that can be used to store, process and evaluate large volumes of data.
They enable companies to use personalized profiles to gain new insights into potential prospects and customers, their risk potential or their buying behavior. The interest in Big Data is great. This applies not only to companies with data-based business models, but increasingly to banks, financial service providers, insurance companies and energy providers.
The use of new technologies or AI is therefore on the agenda of many companies that want to increase their production and gain competitive advantages. Even small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) cannot escape the "digitization pressure" if they do not want to lose market share, margins or their position in the value chain. New players are constantly entering the market with IT-based business models, services and products and pose a threat to traditional market players.
Digitization has transformed e-commerce into a booming billion-dollar market with double-digit growth rates. Consumers and business customers increasingly order products and make use of services on the Internet. As a result, the number of e-commerce projects is also growing continuously: e-shops must be created and optimized, performance must be measured, store software for mobile devices either must be adapted or trustworthy e-payment systems must be integrated. Search engine marketing or the use of social networks to address customers have become standard.
In order to gain competitive advantages as an online retailer, it is important to make offers that meet the needs and requirements of the customers and retain them. Data is therefore also highly relevant in eCommerce in order to survive in an international and highly competitive market.
Digital skills in the company are therefore a decisive competitive and success factor. Large companies as well as SMEs or start-ups must adapt to the growing technical and legal challenges of digital transformation and take measures to minimize legal risks - especially while dealing with sensitive data. Thus, urgent questions arise above all in the areas of data protection and data security, the protection of copyrights or liability in a networked world.
In order to obtain competitive advantages in the hard-fought online trade, a constant alignment with national and international guidelines from online-specific regulation and classic legal matters, such as civil law, is important. Consumer protection issues can also be legally challenging.
We support you in all legal matters, in the implementation of your digital business strategy, from the development and licensing of software to international IT asset deals. We assist you in implementing you business plan in practice and make your products marketable. We advise you on legal and regulatory requirements of business models, on possibilities of advertising or marketing, on linking of content or lawful handling of personal data in the digital environment – in a national and cross-border legal context.
Our advice in e-commerce includes the legal structuring of your online sales or marketplace, the drafting of general terms and conditions, information and imprint obligations, sales cooperations or the enforcement of rights in case of competition infringements or unfair business practices. We also negotiate and draft the contracts you require, such as software contracts, contracts for IT projects, outsourcing etc. You can rely on our legal expertise and our economic and technical know-how.
Our clients are companies in the ITC industry (i.e. telecommunications companies, cable network operators as well as providers of online services, platform operators, software developers). In addition, we advise large and medium-sized companies which are not from the ITC sector but increasingly digitize their business activities. These include service providers, distribution companies (robotics), library service providers, equipment and lighting manufacturers. Industry associations also rely on our legal know-how.
