Hannes Snellman’s cross-border Technology practice is one of the leading practices in the Nordic market. Our Technology team has vast experience in all aspects of technology law matters, ranging from traditional IT and outsourcing transactions to cloud computing, the Internet of things (IoT), agile software development, fintech, data and data regulation, as well as robotic process automation and artificial intelligence (AI).

Our team advises both buyers and suppliers of technology and related services, most typically on business-critical projects. We have the privilege of working with some of the world’s most innovative companies and companies seen as pioneers in their field, which means that we are continuously exposed to new technologies and business models that are shaping industries. We also continuously follow and analyse the legal implications of the technologies and business models of tomorrow, so that we know what is coming well before it becomes mainstream and can help our clients efficiently navigate in the increasingly important and complex field of technology law.

As the world is continuously becoming more converged with industries one after another being affected by the advances of technology, digitalisation, and the data economy, advising clients from silos is not an option for us. Therefore, we work closely and seamlessly with our other practices to include the necessary industry and sector expertise into the assignments of our Technology practice.

We understand the global nature of today’s business and have established relationships with the leading technology law practices around the world. This means that we can and do serve our clients wherever their business and need for legal services may take them and are capable and used to managing global projects for our clients.

Our seasoned Technology Litigation team understands the complexity of technology-related disputes whether they are in 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 in Finnish and Swedish authorities and courts, as well as in 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

The 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 as well as 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, as well as 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.

Among a wide variety of compliance areas that companies nowadays need to be aware of, data protection is regarded as a “new-comer”. This is not because there has not been any previous legislation on the topic, but because the strict new requirements set forth in the upcoming EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the ePrivacy Regulation, coupled with potentially massive fines for non-compliance, has meant that data protection privacy has quickly become one of the hottest areas within the field of compliance.

To help our clients to steer through the changing waves, we offer a complete and tailor-made approach on data protection compliance, including management and implementation. Our approach is strongly influenced by our view that meeting the requirements of the GDPR (and other data privacy legislation) should be regarded as a business enabler and not solely as a compliance issue. We advise our clients in:

• everyday questions regarding the interpretation of and compliance with data protection and privacy laws
• drafting and reviewing relevant documentation (privacy policies, consent forms, etc.)
• general matters and help with negotiating and drafting data processing contracts and clauses
• preparing data protection impact assessments
• internal and external communication related to data protection
• sector and industry specific privacy questions (for example, HR, healthcare, financial services, electronic communications)
• training their HR, Legal, IT, sales & marketing teams, among other things

Hannes Snellman’s Technology practice advises clients in relation to the public procurement of technology. Due to our exceptionally deep knowledge of public procurement, we are able to offer strategic advice to both contracting authorities and bidders. Our team advices clients before, during, and after tendering competitions. We provide assistance to contracting authorities in the preparation of invitations to tender, market surveys, negotiated procedures, as well as Market Court proceedings and contractual negotiations. We provide assistance to bidders with regard to participation in market surveys, analysis of invitations to tender, compliance with invitations to tender, submitting of bids, Market Court proceedings, as well as contractual negotiations. In addition, our experts regularly offer training sessions to our clients.

Parties

Sanoma Media Finland Oy (Seller), Schibsted (buyer), Oikotie Ltd (target)

Transaction

The sale of Sanoma’s online classifieds business Oikotie to Schibsted

Deal value

EUR 185 million

Role

Counsel to Sanoma Group

Core team

Riikka Rannikko, Jesper Nevalainen, Mikko Huimala, Agda Vähä-Piikkö, Jenni Heurlin, Anton Pirinen

Parties 

Siemens AB, Vizendo

Transaction

Siemens has acquired Swedish service and software company Vizendo AB, a provider of virtual operator training for industrial companies.

Deal Value

Value not public

Role

Counsel to Siemens AB

Parties

Fortum Recharge AS, Infracapital, Fortum

Transaction

Infracapital in the acquisition of 63% of Fortum Recharge AS with subsidiaries.

Deal Value 

Value not public

Role 

Swedish and Finnish counsel to Infracapital

Parties

Smartly.io Solutions Oy and its owners, Providence Equity Partners

Transaction

Counsel to Smartly.io and its owners in the sale of a majority stake to Providence Equity Partners

Deal Value

EUR 200 million

Role

Counsel to Smartly.io Solutions Oy and its owners

Parties

Tieto Corporation, EVRY ASA

Transaction

The combination of Tieto and EVRY through a cross-border merger

Deal Value

Value not public

Role

Counsel to EVRY ASA

Advised a Finnish listed construction company on co-operation agreement and data protection issues concerning a cloud-based smart building solution.

Advised a global pharmaceuticals company’s Finnish entity on various day-to-day matters, including contractual arrangements and regulatory advice.

Advised a global pharmaceuticals company on data protection and e-privacy issues in relation to the deployment of data loss prevention tools and other similar systems.

Counsel to clients on providing regular advice on privacy practices concerning employment, such as whistleblowing schemes and an employer’s rights to employees’ electronic communications.

Counsel to a number of clients (both customers and suppliers) on the data protection aspects of their outsourcing agreements.

Advised the Finnish Committee for UNICEF and the Finnish Red Cross on their GDPR preparation projects.

Advised a global vehicle manufacturer on data protection and privacy issues related to the use of on-board cameras in vehicles.

Advised a client on data protection issues in relation to imaging a public road network.

Counsel to various listed and non-listed companies in carrying out GDPR compliance projects and providing GDPR advice, including drafting of privacy policies, data protection impact assessments, data processing agreements, data retention policies, data flow mapping, etc.

Counsel to a world-leading ERP provider on a complex, multi-tier contractual arrangement concerning international data transfers.

Counsel to a leading private provider of optician and ophthalmological services in carrying out a full GDPR compliance project. The project included, among other things, a thorough review of the client’s current data processing practices and drafting of various policies, DPAs, and other relevant documentation.

Counsel to a multinational medical devices provider on contractual and data protection matters concerning its products and related cloud-based services.

Counsel to a company on the Market Court process concerning the procurement of IT equipment worth EUR 20 million.

Counsel to a client on the procurement of novel scientific equipment

Counsel to a state-owned company in providing regular advice on technology-related outsourcing.

Counsel to Microsoft in providing regular advice on public procurement.

Counsel to the Greek authorities on agile deliveries in public procurement.

Counsel to a significant IT service provider on a novel agile development project. The advice included strategic advice as well as contract drafting and negotiations.

Counsel to a client on public procurement matters relating to the social welfare and healthcare reform in Finland.

Counsel to a state-owned company on the procurement of a critical ICT system.

Counsel to Accenture on the public ICT procurement of a significant ICT system.

Counsel to a vendor-side client on various public IT procurement projects for the defence and security sector.

Counsel to a telecom and network equipment manufacturer in providing regular strategic advice on the public procurement of technology.

Counsel to an insurance company on a business acquisition.

Counsel to a telecom operator on the purchasing of a virtual operator and ICT service provider.

Counsel to a Finnish industrial company on its multinational ERP project including several plants in Finland and roll outs in several other countries.

Counsel to a global industrial company on its full scale IT outsourcing arrangement with a service provider.

Counsel to Valmet Corporation on various IT separation and IP licensing matters in relation to Valmet’s acquisition of a process automation systems business from Metso Oyj.

Counsel to a Finnish industrial company on its reselling arrangements of cloud services in Japan.

Counsel to Ramirent Oyj on its outsourcing of IT workplace, ICT infrastructure, service desk, and service management to Advania Ab.

Counsel to Berner Oy, a Finland-based manufacturing and importing company on the contracting for the procurement of a new ERP system.

Counsel to Scandic Hotels Group on IT separation, IPR, and transitional matters in connection with its acquisition of Restel's hotel operations in Finland.

Counsel to a multinational energy company on its digitalisation process on various levels, e.g. in relation to the delivery of charging solutions and a related cloud-based service concerning electronic vehicles.

Counsel to an international supplier on frame agreement negotiations with a large Finnish financial services provider concerning the delivery of various new ICT systems, including a system for insurance management.

Counsel to a leading private healthcare provider on its corporate transactions from the perspectives of data protection, patient data regulatory, and ICT.

Counsel to a Finnish listed equipment rental company on the procurement of a warehouse management solution. 

Counsel to a listed ICT company in providing regular advice on its commercial projects and service contracts, data protection matters, and corporate matters.

Counsel to two listed companies on complex license negotiations involving a multi-vendor setup.

Counsel to a world-leading provider and developer of ERP systems and services in providing regular advice on its software licensing transactions in the Nordic countries.

Counsel to a Finnish listed construction company on the procurement of construction and building information modelling (BIM) software.

Counsel to a global manufacturer of wearable consumer technology on product regulatory matters, such as WEEE regulations, packaging requirements, and products markings.

Counsel to a multinational financial sector company on a dispute regarding a breach of agreement.

Advised a Finnish listed company on a dispute regarding licensing and data.

Counsel to a Finnish company on a dispute relating to the termination of a project agreement against an IT service provider. The dispute was settled on terms favourable to the client. 

Counsel to a multinational IT company on a dispute relating to the supply of an IT system. A highly favourable outcome was obtained for the client, as the adverse party accepted liability exceeding the limitation of its liability under the contract. 

Counsel to a Finnish company on a dispute regarding licence fees in connection with the outsourcing of the company’s IT department. The dispute was settled on terms favourable to the client.

Counsel to a Finnish public procurement entity in their procurement of ICT systems and software from several service providers accompanied by related support and maintenance agreements. 

Counsel to a multinational network corporation in their establishment of a joint venture with a Finnish multinational corporation 

Counsel to a multinational insurance company in their system delivery project and hosting services arrangement with a service provider. 

• Very good knowledge of GDPR and privacy issues. Very service-minded. Easy to cooperate with. Good understanding of our business.
• Deep knowledge and expertise in the subject matters I engage them in, and prompt responses.

• 'The firm attracts praise for its "very high standard of work," and "very good cross-border capabilities."'
• 'Another satisfied client enthuses that the team is "modern, innovative and keeps one step ahead of the transformation of the legal environment."'

• 'The team is recognised as "efficient and easy-to-reach."'

• 'Clients recommend the firm for multi-jurisdictional matters and describe the service as "high quality."'

• ‘'The team is ‘excellent, responsive and very accommodating.”’

• 'Clients note that the lawyers “have a good understanding of the area,” adding that its “cross-border capabilities are well organised.”
• ‘Interviewees also say the team is “very good and skilful” and that there is “fast and open co-operation” within the department.'

• 'An interviewee says: "I love working with them because they always have very practical advice. I was impressed with the team at both senior and junior levels."'
• 'One source enthuses that the team "always has very practical advice and has a tendency to come up with very good approaches."'

• '"I was very satisfied with the whole service; the advice given and its quality, and the agreed schedules were met. I also appreciated the level of industry knowledge.", "The way the lawyers communicate is business-minded, with no legal jargon - they are very easy to work with."'

• 'Hannes Snellman is praised for its in-depth industry knowledge and quality of advice.'

• 'The team is known for particular strength on technology matters, advising financial institutions on outsourcing. "The lawyers have a business mindset and a deep knowledge of this area." "The team is practical, pragmatic and willing to learn."'

• ‘Hannes Snellman is praised for its ability to ‘achieve miracles in tight schedules.’

• ‘IP litigation head Panu Siitonen covers trade mark, copyright and patent disputes, with particular expertise in advising sports clients. Clients agree he is a “very, very talented lawyer. He is hard-working and energetic.”’