IT law
Whether data protection, examination and creation of terms and conditions, defense against warnings, escrow and more. - we offer the entire range of IT law!
Better to
Specialist lawyer for IT law
The rapid development of information technology has made life easier and revolutionized it in many areas. At the same time, however, it also entails a large number of legal challenges and questions. IT law is a complex and constantly evolving area of law that requires expert advice and representation. Therefore has Attorney Stephen Hendel, LL.M. specializes in this area as a specialist lawyer for IT law.
Reasons for hiring a specialist lawyer for IT law
- Specialized Knowledge: A specialist lawyer for IT law has in-depth knowledge in the areas of data protection, copyright law, IT contract law, telecommunications law and e-commerce. Due to his specialization, he is well equipped to provide competent advice and representation both preventively and in the event of a dispute.
- Current case law: IT law is subject to constant change. New laws, regulations and court decisions affect the legal landscape and require continuous education. A specialist lawyer for IT law is obliged to constantly educate himself and stay up to date in order to offer his clients the best possible advice and representation.
- Complex issues: Technology and law are two disciplines that are often difficult to understand. Specialist lawyers for IT law can present complex technical and legal issues in a clear and understandable way, so that clients can make well-informed decisions.
- Avoiding Risks: With the advice of a specialist lawyer for IT law, potential legal problems can be identified and avoided at an early stage. This saves time, money and aggravation that can arise in a legal dispute.
- Network and experience: Specialist lawyers for IT law have an extensive network and experience from a large number of cases. This enables them to fall back on proven solutions and to successfully represent their clients.
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News about IT law
Here you will find our latest articles on the topic.
Terms and Conditions, Cancellation Policy, Privacy Policy and Co.
Almost every day we are asked, from startups to large companies, whether the general terms and conditions used are in order. Only in the rarest of cases were we presented with appropriate terms and conditions for the respective company. But why is that so? Probably because many entrepreneurs get their general terms and conditions from competitors or questionable websites. The professional creation of terms and conditions by a lawyer is not necessarily expensive. Before you go to a lawyer, however, you should ask yourself whether you need any terms and conditions at all. At this point, many clients ask us the question "Why, you need general terms and conditions in business dealings?" But that's just not the case! Nowhere is it written that you absolutely need terms and conditions for your business operations.
When do I need terms and conditions?
Actually, only if you want to settle a large number of (more or less similar) business transactions.
A good example of this is a car wash. You can personally tell every car driver that they need to disassemble the antenna, or you can do this with a clear notice before the car driver passes your car wash. This notice counts then already as general business condition after the §§ 305 ff. BGB.
And when do I need no terms and conditions?
For example, if you offer individual work for the customer, which in any case require a longer consultation time.
A good example would be a luxury car here. He must advise each customer individually about his car and the following work. Then it offers for the tuner hardly any or only a small added value, if he uses AGB.
With the use of terms threaten warnings!
Terms and conditions are a popular field of activity for many Abmahner - especially in the field of online use of terms and conditions. Maybe you have heard of the IDO Association? If so, you probably have been warned already.
First, the good news: the cost of such a warning from the IDO Association are reasonably low. The bad news, however, is that you should give or even have to sign a so-called penalty injunction. If you violate the duties regulated herein, then very high penalties are imminent.
How do I protect myself against AGB warnings?
You either have your terms and conditions professionally created by a lawyer or you waive the terms and conditions. You should always keep in mind that you are not required to use terms and conditions. If you do not use any general terms and conditions, the legal situation is governed by the laws such as the German Civil Code (BGB), HGB etc. This is completely sufficient for most applications.
What do I do if I am warned?
In that case, you should contact a lawyer immediately. Make sure that the lawyer is familiar with Internet law and warnings. Under no circumstances should you sign the (mostly) enclosed declaration of discontinuance without prior examination. Here threaten massive disadvantages!
Right of withdrawal
If you run an online shop, in most cases you also need a cancellation policy.
What happens if I have no cancellation policy?
Then, sooner or later, a competitor of yours will report to you via his lawyer or a dissuasion association with a competition law warning. Such legitimation follows, inter alia, from § 8 para. 1, 3 No. 1 UWG. In these cases, the one already mentioned above applies: Never sign prematurely such a punishable cease and desist declaration! Always go to a lawyer specialized in internet law and warnings.
What else needs to be considered?
In short: pretty much!
Here are just a few examples that are important in an online business.
OS dispute platform
Since January 9, 2016, EU regulation number 524/2013 has come into force. At this point we would like to refer to an essay by our lawyer Stephan Hendel refer. The Link can be found here.
So you need to include the following link in a clickable way on your website https://ec.europa.eu/consumers/odr
Other problem areas
In addition, many other problem areas must be considered. For example, in accordance with Article 246c and 246a EGBGB, you are required to inform us about the individual technical steps that lead to the conclusion of a contract, whether the contract is stored by the contractor after conclusion of the contract and accessible to the customer, or whether a statutory warranty right exists in accordance with Article 246a § 1 para. 1 p. 1 no. 8 EGBGB.
The EU GDPR?
In this context is also the new General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) which came into force on May 25, 2018. The aim of this new regulation is initially a largely uniform data protection law within the entire EU. The main objective is to strengthen the rights and control options of those whose personal data are processed.
In many respects, this date was to be understood as an absolute “deadline”, because the new General Data Protection Regulation brings many changes for both companies and consumers - compared to the previous legal situation. Above all, entrepreneurs should take a look at the innovations, because violations are punished with sometimes draconian measures.
Especially for entrepreneurs, the knowledge of the changes in IT law is an absolute must. In this context, mention should be made of the new General Data Protection Regulation, which is published on 25. May 2018 entered into force.
Online shop operators in particular should check their internet presence for legality. Just missing or wrong cancellation instructions are often warned. Especially in this area your Internet presence should have no weaknesses.
Who has to prove in court that the company complies with the GDPR?
The responsible person of the company is obliged to do this. He wears gem. Art. 5 para. 2 and Art. 24 DSGVO accountability.
This also includes the "appropriate technical and organizational measures" to ensure conformity.
In terms of liability law, this means that there is a kind of reversal of the burden of proof on the part of the entrepreneur. So far, an interested party has had to prove to the court itself that a company is liable as the responsible body for incorrect processing of data. Now this duty is performed by the person responsible for the data processing.
Are there already warnings due to the GDPR?
These are available.
The first client has already turned to our law firm on 25.05.2018, ie on the day the DSGVO came into force. He had a warning from a (supposed) patient.
What happened?
The client's website does not yet have an SSL certificate. This is gem. § 9 BDSG duty when operating a website with contact form.
Was this warning to be taken seriously?
Yes, definitely! Although we were able to find errors within the warning, this does not necessarily exclude compensation under Art. 82 DSGVO.
How should I behave if I am warned?
In any case, you should consult a trusted lawyer who is familiar with Internet law, competition law and IT law. Since it is initially mostly unclear which of these areas of law is actually affected, we recommend a specialized law firm.
Your contact for questions about IT law
Should you also have questions, we will gladly advise you at any time and analyze your needs situation in individual cases. Our Attorney Stephen Hendel has over 16 years of programming experience himself and therefore knows exactly how technical solutions can be reconciled with legal solutions. That is why we also advise many well-known technology companies such as TeamSpeak Systems Inc.
