Technology & Data

We help our clients acquire and supply technology and IT, use and process data, and navigate the laws and regulations of digitalisation.

Technology

As one of the leading technology and data practices in Finland, with decades of combined experience from both sides of the table and across the world, we regularly advise clients on some of the most business critical and strategic technology and IT projects, data use, and digital compliance matters in Finland, both in the private and the public sector. We also have a wealth of experience in supporting technology and other companies in developing their day-to-day operations by developing and improving their contracts, contracting strategies, and business models.

Our extensive experience in technology and IT and data law means that we speak the same language as our clients, and we truly understand the applied business models and market practices. We also strive to stay ahead of the development and anticipate how the future will shape contracts, business models, and operations, including shaping the market with novel ways of contracting and novel solutions to complex issues.

Our way of working is pragmatic and solution-oriented without compromising quality. Our one firm approach means that we staff each assignment only with people who are experts in their field, thus enabling us to put forward teams with in-depth knowledge and expertise in all areas of law relevant for the assignment. In cross-border assignments, we co-operate with our extensive network of leading law firms across the world.

Data and Data Protection

Our team advises clients on all matters relating to data protection and privacy laws, from privacy programmes to privacy litigation. Whether its GDPR or other privacy laws, data transfers, contract reviews, use of cookies or privacy risk assessments, our team will help you. While the assignments are often complex, we also support our clients in solving everyday practical issues.

We strongly believe that artificial intelligence and data are business enablers, and we regularly assist our clients to harness the potential while managing the risks associated with the new technology and use of data. We support our clients with their data projects, contract drafting and supply chain management, trainings and risk assessments under the EU data legislation, such as the Data Act and the AI Act. In addition, we provide services covering cybersecurity laws and incident and breach management.

We work alongside our lawyers from our other practice groups, such as Employment, Finance, M&A, and Real Assets, to provide solutions and expertise that best support your business.

Technology Litigation

Our seasoned technology litigation team understands the complexity of technology-related disputes, whether before general courts or in arbitration.

To achieve the business goals of our clients, our seasoned and business-oriented litigators suggest litigation and settlement strategies that may consist, for example, of obtaining a fast interim injunction or other relief, settlement negotiations to resolve the case out of court and before trial, or creative but thorough tactics for litigation or arbitration.

In each case, we form a dedicated team of experts to correspond to the type and extent of the case and work closely with our Dispute Resolution and Competition & Procurement Practices. We represent our clients before Finnish authorities and courts and the European Union Intellectual Property Office and the Court of Justice of the European Union. With regard to arbitration, we represent our clients in international arbitration institutes, such as the WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center, in addition to Finnish and Swedish arbitration institutes.

Our technology litigation team frequently acts, for example in:

• arbitration regarding complex contractual issues, often relating to software
• patent litigation in many different fields of technology
• trade secret litigation
• trademark and domain name litigation also covering anti-counterfeiting and unfair business practices
• copyright and database disputes often relating to software or digital rights
• complex contractual issues relating to intellectual property and technology
• disputes relating to public procurement

Sourcing & Outsourcing

Rapidly evolving technology has transformed outsourcing from a mere cost-saving measure to a strategic catalyst for accessing market-leading know-how and cutting-edge innovations. Today’s effective outsourcing strategies can combine the benefits of the improved quality of IT and business processes with driven down costs and a more responsive business environment.

Acting for both corporate and public-sector clients and top service providers has helped us to understand the priorities of clients across a broad spectrum of technologies and business sectors. We have been guiding clients throughout the outsourcing life cycle, from identifying the right mix of internal and external IT services to contract negotiations and implementation of the outsourcing model. We also advise clients on the outsourcing of the full range of business processes, such as asset and cash management, finance and accounting, human resources and administration, and procurement and facilities and logistics management. The depth of our experience at all sourcing levels (including onshore, offshore, and nearshore) helps our clients turn potential options into viable and well-executed outsourcing partnerships.

In addition to outsourcing, we advise our clients in complex ICT transactions, such as ICT project deliveries, cloud computing contracting, and ongoing ICT service arrangements.

Public Procurement

Hannes Snellman’s Technology Practice advises clients in relation to the public procurement of technology and digital assets. Due to our exceptional combination of a deep understanding in public procurement and technology within the same team, we are able to offer strategic advice in the most demanding matters. Our team advises clients before, during, and after tendering competitions. We provide assistance to contracting entities in the preparation of calls to tender, market surveys, negotiated procedures, and court proceedings and contractual negotiations. We provide assistance to bidders with regard to influencing in tendering competitions during market surveys, analysis of calls to tender, compliance with calls to tender, risk analysis, drafting of bids, review procedures in court proceedings, and contractual negotiations. In addition, our experts regularly offer training sessions to our clients.