Technologie und Datenschutz

We regularly represent companies that have become victims of large digital platforms (such as Amazon, Google, Meta, and Apple), standing out as one of the few non-conflicted law firms that meet big tech companies at arm’s length in legal disputes.  We offer a specialized team of lawyers with the experience and technical expertise necessary to successfully litigate cases on behalf of our clients.

In the technology sector, we advise on all aspects of antitrust law in digital markets and relevant tech regulation (e.g., the Digital Markets Act). We represent our clients in complex competition law disputes before German and European courts, the European Commission, and national competition authorities. In addition, we regularly enforce claims for damages in courts on behalf of injured parties against market-dominant digital platforms, ensure fair access to digital platforms for companies (so-called account suspension cases), bring actions for injunctive relief against anti-competitive practices, and act in fast-track proceedings. We also represent companies in proceedings of European competition and regulatory authorities, and advise on antitrust compliance for digital business models.

In the area of data protection, we advise on compliance with the GDPR and comparable regulations. Deliberate data protection violations can give big tech companies an unfair advantage over their competitors who comply with data protection law. We support companies in defending themselves against such practices and pursue claims for damages resulting from these violations. We play a leading role in this evolving area of law, paving the way with groundbreaking cases and complex big-ticket litigation. 

We act for a broad range of clients. Our clients include start-ups, medium-sized companies, and global players. What they all have in common is that they either operate in digital markets or their business model depends on them. 
We fight for our clients' interests at every stage of litigation. At the same time, we always seek efficient solutions for settling disputes and, accordingly, facilitate negotiations and seek settlement solutions to avoid time-consuming and costly court proceedings.

We understand the situation of those who have been harmed by digital platforms, and are aware of the economic consequences and hardships stemming from these actions. We act quickly and resolutely, are well known among the relevant courts and authorities, and are familiar with the specific procedural issues that commonly arise in these settings. In addition, we maintain close contacts with litigation funders, which we can leverage for our clients. With offices in several European countries and a strong international network, we can assist our clients across borders.

Selected cases in which we are or have been involved:

• Acting for Immowelt in a novel preliminary injunction proceedings against ImmoScout based on the "market tipping" paragraph in German antitrust law
  
  
• Enforcing data protection claims for damages against Google and META for collecting personal data via Android mobile phones and META Business Tools, respectively
  
  
• Representing numerous German and international providers of comparison shopping sites in damages proceedings against Google with a total volume of over EUR 1.5 billion
  
  
• Pursuing antitrust damages claims for a legal service provider against Google based on anti-competitive practices in the field of advertising technology (AdTech) within the framework of an assignment model in favor of injured website providers
  
  
• Representing NetDoktor in the successful enforcement of antitrust injunctive relief claims against the cooperation between the Federal Ministry of Health and Google
  
  
• Fast-track and main proceedings against Google for suspending the advertising account of an e-vignette provider
  
  
• Pre-liminary injunction proceedings against Meta on behalf of Filmwerkstatt Düsseldorf and Goliathwatch based on the abusive suspension of their accounts
  
  
• Complaint to the EU Commission addressing Google's violation of the DMA through its practice of so-called site reputation abuse  
  
  
• Defending an internet company in an investigation by a European antitrust authority
  
  
• Advice on antitrust compliance for a novel business model supporting the sale of products via online marketplaces using AI-based cloud technology
  
  
• Long-standing advice on antitrust compliance relating to online distribution for various suppliers of electronic consumer goods
  
  
• Advising on the antitrust-compliant setup of a hybrid online marketplace

For years, our technology and data protection practice has been recognized by leading industry publications and independent legal rankings for its outstanding expertise and successful representation in complex national and international proceedings. You can find our awards here.

Information on the relevant practices in our offices in Europe and the US can be found here:

Belgium
The Netherlands
France
Sweden
United Kingdom
United States