IT law and intellectual property

We understand technologies—the ones you use and the ones you develop

CUSTOMER PROFILE

We can help you navigate complex legislation

Are you developers or commissioning custom-build solutions?

We have a long-standing history of working with companies that develop software for dentists, payment terminals, or who even run a game studio. But we also advise the other side—when you, as a customer of IT services, have custom software built and want to ensure everything is in order.

Are you looking for lawyers who understand your business?

We are not limited to a specific area of specialization; our focus is on aligning our resources with the unique needs of our clients. We work across a range of interdisciplinary matters, including business sales and shareholder dispute resolution. In the IT sector, we also focus on employment law and investment matters. Our experience includes handling projects with values ranging from tens of millions to billions of crowns.

Are you growing or launching something brand new?

We serve both growing start-ups and a number of established Czech and foreign IT companies. Companies usually come to us when they have a product or service in the works and need legal support, or are developing something new and need guidance on launch-related matters.

Do you see yourself in our client profile?

IT company with proprietary products
Manufacturing company offering innovative solutions
Developer specializing in customized solutions
Game studio
Third-party software distributor
Digital agency

REFERENCE PROJECT

Brno-based AURA is a global leader in information systems for military logistics. Their MC CATALOGUE program supports the creation of cataloguing data for equipment, weapon systems, and spare parts for defense ministries. When a new contract arises with specific government requirements from a particular country, we step in to assist in negotiations.

Until recently, military software was provided through on-premises solutions—installed and operated on the hardware of the client company or end-user. However, a request from Australia changed the status quo, as the local government required software as a service (SaaS). Our role was to negotiate contracts that addressed the needs of both the government and our client. We ensured compliance with our client’s cloud-based requirements while respecting local customs and European regulations.

We have been working with this law firm for over 10 years. Thanks to their in-depth knowledge of our business, they were able to adapt our existing contract documentation to a new licensing model. The attorney’s support extends way beyond drafting contracts; I especially value their ability to facilitate dialogue with all parties involved and their proactive approach. Hosting online meetings with Australian government officials at 5 a.m. our time is far from standard.

— Filip Engelsmann, CEO of AURA, s.r.o. —

LAW FIRM

Projects we enjoy

Biometric document signing in a medical office, automated commodity purchasing via a mobile app, or a video application that integrates data from open sources, industry databases, and social networks…

We have gained extensive experience in these areas and are pleased to share our expertise. Do you have an idea, embarking on a new product, and need to think through every detail to ensure it is legally sound? Complex, challenging, and unique cases—these are exactly what our team thrives on.

REFERENCE PROJECT

SONET is a software company providing comprehensive services in payment technologies. It actively manages tens of thousands of payment terminals across the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Austria, and Hungary, processing up to one million payment transactions daily. Since 2019, it has been part of the multinational Payten Group.

We have been providing services to Sonet for eight years. We started off by supporting individual transactions, documentation, and labour issues. A few years later, alongside the then-owner, we prepared the documentation and contracts for the sale to the multinational group. The transaction was successful, and we continue to work with the client. Our role now also includes supporting the client in communications with legal teams from Asseco Group (Payten), a leading player in banking and other financial sectors in the region.

Iva Horáčková and the law firm team provide us with operational support—they create model documentation, revise employment contracts in line with Labour Code amendments, and manage contracts related to product and service distribution. Our collaboration is fast, seamless, and efficient. We consult with them on a wide range of legal matters, including European regulation of the digital and financial sectors. They always find solutions, even when facing challenges arising from differing interpretations and formulations under Czech and Polish law.

— Dana Chudáčková, Legal Counsel at SONET, s.r.o. —

We address legal issues related to your product...

Product stabilization and development

We work with various licensing models, whether you provide on-premise or cloud-based software. We can assist you in selecting and setting up a licensing model or adapt contracts and documentation to suit your existing model. Is your product subject to special regulations? We can help with all the associated legal matters.

Distribution

We support you in selecting and structuring a distribution model and the associated contracts. We specialize in establishing partnership or affiliate programs and are well-versed in competition law considerations. We also bring tax implications of distribution to your attention. Additionally, we have expertise in IT procurement matters.

Setting up GDPR compliance framework

Data protection and its implementation are expansive topics. We stay a step ahead by mapping all processes and configurations to meet the practical needs of your business. We define roles and their associated responsibilities. Only then do we create solutions and documentation tailored specifically to the client’s needs.

REFERENCE PROJECT

Compactive is a family-owned business specializing in comprehensive wiring solutions for integrated information, communication, and security systems—from design to software and hardware delivery through to final implementation. Originally focused on IT and low-voltage systems, the company now develops and delivers innovative IoT solutions to well-known buildings and companies, including Olympia Brno, Vlněna Office Park, Infosys, Sonnentor, CTP Invest, CPI Property Group, Darfon, Moduslink, and other major Czech and international corporations.

The company is thriving—it is growing and expanding its operations to other EU countries. Our firm has provided Compactive with legal services closely tied to this expansion. We registered their trademark and subsequently negotiated with the owners of conflicting marks. A significant and complex undertaking involved creating and structuring the distribution system, including distributor relationships, obligations, and all aspects of contract law. We also offer ongoing legal support to the client for individual business cases.

From my position as managing director, I appreciate the firm's comprehensive approach and insight into the various legal areas integral to running a business. I am pleased that we created the entire distribution system together. Thanks to this, we found a solution that takes into account our vision and incorporates practical legal insights—whether for potential future disputes or competition law aspects of distribution.

— Lubomír Kuča, CEO at Compactive, s.r.o. —

SERVICES WITHIN THE SCOPE OF SPECIALIZATION

...as well as support for organizational operations

Company growth, investor entry, or sale

We focus on establishing solid relationships between partners and address relevant tax considerations. Key specializations of our firm include scaling businesses through a legal lens—we’re here to support you, whether you’re expanding, bringing in investors, or even planning to sell.

Good employee relations

Getting employment contracts right, managing remote work arrangements, and providing specific benefits are and will be increasingly important topics—not only in the IT sector. Employment contracts simply must be precise. Period. We draft new contracts, review existing ones, and proactively reach out to clients whenever legislative changes arise.

Innovative ways to motivate team members

Considering an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP)? There are numerous ways to align rewards with company goals. We can advise you on implementing an employee share program within the framework of Czech law.

Trademarks and intellectual property

Are you successful in the Czech Republic and considering international expansion? Do you have unique know-how or trade secrets that your employees have helped develop? It’s crucial to protect these assets legally. We file for both Czech and international trademarks and challenge foreign trademarks that infringe upon yours. And if matters escalate, we’re ready to represent you in court.

REFERENCE PROJECT

Brno-based Kentico, specializing in the development of content management software (CMS), received foreign investment of up to CZK 1.5 billion from the British investment group Expedition Growth Capital.

The transaction required adapting British investment concepts to the framework of Czech law through multiple SPAs, SHAs, and foundational documents. In parallel, the process included not only the investment but also the spin-off of one of the company’s divisions. Given the transaction’s complexity, two teams collaborated—the corporate team, led by David Fyrbach, and the IT team, led by Petr Žídek.

In managing such a complex transaction, we could not have succeeded without the support of top-tier legal, tax, and financial advisors. I greatly appreciate that Petr Žídek and David Fyrbach were always available during the transaction’s preparation. Despite handling a range of related legal matters, they never lost sight of the context of each step, and always looked at the transaction as a whole.

— Gabriela Jakabová —Chief Operations Officer Kentico

We’ve been developing our IT specialization since the firm’s founding in 2012

Our standing in the legal services market is affirmed by repeated recognition in prestigious international rankings, including Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners for TMT—Technology, Media, and Telecommunications—as well as placement in the Law Firm of the Year rankings for Information Technology Law.

The team is led by Petr Žídek, who has been recognized as a Leading Individual in the Legal 500.

More about Petr