Find Lawyers in France for Information Technology Law
Practice Area Overview
The guide to measuring information and communication technologies in education of the UNESCO Institute for Statistics defines information and communication technologies (ICT) as a "diverse set of technological tools and resources used to transmit, store, create, share or exchange information. These technological tools and resources include computers, the Internet (websites, blogs, and emails), live broadcasting technologies (radio, television, and webcasting), recorded broadcasting technologies (podcasting, audio and video players, and storage devices) and telephony (fixed or mobile, satellite, visio/video-conferencing, etc.)".
As far as definition goes, INSEE refers to an international agreement set by the OECD asserting that the information and communications technology (ICT) includes the following economic sectors:
• Manufacturing sector (manufacture of computers and computer equipment, TV, radio, telephone, etc.);
• Distribution sector (wholesale hardware, etc.)
• Service sector (telecommunications, computer services, broadcasting services, etc.).
Internationally, ICT are often considered as the integration of telecommunications technology, computer, multimedia, and audio-visual. A United Nations report highlights the impact of the convergence of ICT: "Convergence has removed many distinctions between ICT sectors, including broadcasting, computing and telecommunications, and has fostered innovation in non-ICT sectors such as financial services. As a result, end-users access content, services and applications on multiple platforms, increasing the versatility and sophistication of information access and communications use".
In an innovative field by definition, one of the main roles of IT lawyers is to be a link between innovators and managers to ensure the proper legal understanding of regulatory, financial, competitive issues, in particular through risk management. Thus, IT lawyers are in constant contact with the legal and technical departments of their clients to tailor with them the most appropriate solutions to their needs.
International practice per se, information technology law requires lawyers to counsel their clients on international matters such as cross border investment, international trade, and translational regulatory frameworks regarding specific matters such as personal data or spectrum management.
Therefore, IT lawyers advise clients regarding sales agreement, licensing, outsourcing, e-commerce, Internet and broadcasting services, intellectual property, personal data, industry, and administrative regulations. IT lawyers also represent clients before the competent courts and administrative bodies or authorities.
With regard to the technology manufacturing sector, lawyers counsel clients concerning the regulatory framework applicable to the protection of data and knowledge; the technical and legal standards to be considered and the consequences of the use of new technologies.
IT lawyers also advise distributing companies through commercial agreements, licensing, or complex contracts. It may for example include software as a service (“Saas”) or cloud outsourcing agreements.
Companies providing information technology services also need IT lawyers to be advised on transactional and regulatory matters. For example, lawyers will help a company in the whole process preceding and following the release of a new broadcasting service.
Finally, IT lawyers will defend the interest of their clients before any courts regarding civil matters (commercial and intellectual property) and criminal matters (in case of offence related to telecommunication law). Lawyers will also represent clients before administrative and regulatory bodies especially with regard to broadcasting regulations.
Le Guide de mesure pour l'intégration des technologies de l'information et de la communication en éducation de l'Institut de Statistiques de l'UNESCO définit les Technologies de l'information et de la Communication ("TIC") comme un "ensemble d’outils et de ressources technologiques permettant de transmettre, enregistrer, créer, partager ou échanger des informations, notamment les ordinateurs, l’internet (sites web, blogs et messagerie électronique), les technologies et appareils de diffusion en direct (radio, télévision et diffusion sur l’internet) et en différé (podcast, lecteurs audio et vidéo et supports d’enregistrement) et la téléphonie (fixe ou mobile, satellite, visioconférence, etc.)".
L'INSEE quant à elle fait référence à une convention internationale fixée par l'OCDE pour affirmer que les technologies de l'information et de la communication (TIC) englobent les secteurs économiques suivants :
• secteur des producteurs de TIC (fabrication d'ordinateurs et de matériels informatiques, de TV, radios, téléphone…) ;
• secteur des distributeurs de TIC (commerce de gros de matériel informatique…) ;
• secteur des services de TIC (télécommunications, services informatiques, services audiovisuels…).
A l'international, on considère souvent les TIC comme l'intégration des techniques de télécommunication, de l'informatique, des multimédias et de l'audiovisuel. Ainsi, un rapport des Nations Unies insiste sur l'impact de la convergence des TIC : "La convergence a supprimé nombre de distinctions entre les secteurs des TIC, notamment la radiotélédiffusion, l’informatique et les télécommunications, et a favorisé l’innovation dans des secteurs autres que les TIC, tels que les services financiers. Dès lors, les utilisateurs ont accès à du contenu, à des services et à des applications sur de multiples plates-formes, ce qui accroît la versatilité et la sophistication de l’accès à l’information et de l’utilisation des communications."
Matière intrinsèquement internationale, le droit des TIC oblige les avocats à accompagner leurs clients sur des questions d'investissements à l'étranger, de commerce international et de règlementations transnationales dans des domaines particuliers comme les données personnelles ou la gestion des ressources de télécommunication.
Dans un secteur innovant par définition, l'un des principaux rôles des avocats spécialisés en la matière est d'être un lien entre innovateurs et managers afin d'assurer une bonne traduction juridique des enjeux réglementaires, financiers et concurrentiels notamment grâce au management des risques. Pour cela, les avocats en droit des TIC sont en constante relation avec les départements juridiques et techniques de leurs clients afin d'élaborer avec ces derniers les solutions les plus adaptée à leurs besoins.
Ainsi, les avocats conseillent leurs clients tant en matière de vente, de licence, d'infogérance, de commerce électronique, de services Internet et audiovisuels; que sur des questions de droit des données personnelles, de règlementations professionnelle et administrative.
Plus particulièrement dans le secteur de la production de biens technologiques, les avocats conseillent leurs clients quant au cadre règlementaire applicable, à la protection des données et du savoir, aux normes techniques et juridiques à prendre en considération ainsi qu'aux conséquences de l'utilisation de nouvelles technologies.
Les avocats conseillent également les entreprises distributrices de produits innovants par le biais de contrats de vente, de contrats de licence ou d'entreprise. Il peut par exemple s'agir de contrats de "Saas" (Software as a service) ou de contrats d'externalisation du système d'un client (infogérance).
Les entreprises opérant dans le secteur de la fourniture de services de communication électronique font appel aux avocats spécialisés afin d'obtenir des conseils tant sur des aspects règlementaires que transactionnels. Ainsi, par exemple, lorsqu'un client souhaite mettre en place un nouveau service audiovisuel, les avocats spécialisés en TIC sont à même de le conseiller et de l'accompagner dans les démarches nécessaires.
Enfin, les avocats spécialisés en TIC se chargent de la défense des intérêts de leurs clients devant les juridictions pour tout contentieux civil ou commercial et pour tout contentieux pénal, notamment en cas d'infractions aux règles applicables aux entreprises de télécommunication. Les avocats représentent également leurs clients devant les autorités administratives compétentes comme la CNIL, autorité en charge du respect de la réglementation sur les données personnelles.
Alain Bensoussan created in 1978 a law firm dedicated to technology law and data protection law. His law firm was the first French law firm to be ISO 9002: 1994 certified in 1998. In 2014 he created Association du droit des robots, an association promoting the development of the law of robots. He is the founder and president of Lexing®, the first global network of lawyers specialized in technology law. He has been designated “Lawyer of the Year” in Technology law or Informatio...
Jeanne BOSSI MALAFOSSE is head of the Personal Data Department and co-head of the Life Sciences Department. She has significant experience in personal data protection and various questions relating to life sciences, particularly in the area of health information systems.She assists organizations in the following subjects : compliance with personal data protection principles in all sectors preparation for Europe’s new General Data Protection Regulation regulatory framework of planned hea...
Georgie Courtois focuses on all aspects of NTIC (computer law, internet-related matters, data protection, cryptology…), intellectual property (copyright, trademark and domain name infringement) and commercial law. He represents clients in complex litigation before civil, commercial and criminal courts and before supervisory authorities. He also assists clients with consultation, contractual drafting and negotiation. Georgie is passionate about technology. This special understanding of ...
Louis de Gaulle is involved in matters requiring diverse and extensive legal experience both in litigation and transactions. He regularly appears before civil, administrative and arbitration courts. Louis de Gaulle’s legal strategy acumen and innovative capacity in the management of cases is praised by his clients. He specialises in intellectual property, new technologies, commercial law and public law.He is a certified specialist in Intellectual Property and Commercial Law at the Paris...
Frederic Destal specialises in public law and is involved in regulatory issues linked to governmental authorities and legislatures, as well as in all types of administrative disputes. He also assists and advises during procurement procedures and at the termination of the delegation of public services particularly in the telecommunication networks sectors (internet, fibre optics, etc.). He is also involved in major telecommunications projects. Frédéric Destal also has profound ex...
Partner of BG2V since 2023 – Member of the Paris Bar since 2000 Experience : BG2V, Hoyng Rokh Monégier, Cotty Vivant, Linklaters. Education : DESS in the law of obligations from the University René Descartes Paris V Practice areas : Marie advises and litigates on intellectual property law. In particular, she advises French and international clients on copyright, trademarks, designs and models. She advises companies on their mergers and acquisitions and all operations r...
Lawyer to the Paris Bar since 2006, Olivier Hayat practised in Parisian law firms specialising in IT, media and distribution law. In 2014, Olivier founded his law firm dedicated to digital and intellectual property law. Olivier practises information technology law, both in counselling and litigation, and focus his expertise on IT project negotiations, personal data (GDPR compliance and assistance to CNIL control) and also intellectual property and communication law. He has a diversified clien...
Julien Horn focuses on information technology and intellectual property litigation. He also handles transactional and contractual work on IP and IT assets. Julien Horn’s litigation practice is prominent in the field of software litigation, patent litigation, and trademark litigation. He has also acquired significant expertise in the planning and monitoring of innovative mass litigation campaigns for IT and software companies. He regularly publishes articles on IP and IT issues in the le...
Jean-Marie Job has developed highly specialised expertise in various areas of health and especially in the fields of pharmaceuticals and biotechnology. He is also involved in the creation of IT contracts and issues related to the management of personal and commercial data. He represents numerous clients before the CNIL (Commission Nationale de l’Informatique et des Libertés). Before joining the law firm of de Gaulle Fleurance & Associés in 2001, he practiced for fiftee...
Serge Lederman intervenes as counsel as well as in litigation in industrial property law in sectors as diverse as fashion, design and media and the food industry, and literary and artistic property law in the areas of art, media and communication. Recognised by his clients for his analysis of litigious matters and the stakes at hand, as well as his sharp grasp of litigious strategies, Serge Lederman advises companies and institutions on an international level and on domestic operations. He is...
Francine Le Péchon-Joubert has developed in-depth expertise on all complex copyright, trademark and patent issues and in all types of contracts and proceedings in connection with intellectual property and data processing.She is also in charge of the optimisation and the protection of a vast portfolio of renowned brands worldwide.Francine Le Péchon-Joubert handled several disputes relating to the abrupt rupture of commercial relations and is active on issues of licensing and othe...
French qualified lawyer specialised in Information Technology, Data Privacy and Intellectual Property. Fluent in English. Her career as a specialist intellectual property and information technology lawyer began in Paris in 2001, in a major international law firm. From there, she was subsequently posted to Shanghai, in the People's Republic of China, for 4 years.After this enriching international experience, she spent several years as a Partner in a French law firm specializing in IT, media an...
A member of the Paris Bar since 1989, Stéphane PERRIN graduated from the Faculties of Law of PARIS XI and PARIS II Universities, where he gained a DEA postgraduate qualification in Intellectual Property. He also graduated from PARIS II Faculty of Law’s Institute of Legal Studies. He began his career within the law firms DS Avocats (PARIS) and DUBARRY, SERVAN-SCHREIBER & WEIL (PARIS then BRUSSELS), then as a partner in SCP FLAMBARD & Associés, before creating his ow...
Professional activity · Lawyer, Member of the Paris Bar (admitted in 2011); · Lexing Alain Bensoussan Avocats, Head of the Compliance and Certification department; DPO recommended to lawyers by the CNB (French National Bar Council). Education Certificat d’Aptitude à la Profession d’Avocat (Bar Exam) (2011); Master 2 in Technical Innovation Law (2010); Master 1 in Business Law (2009). Experience Data Protection Compliance: o managing French and international pr...
Charles-Edouard Renault specializes in media, audiovisual and entertainment law, as both advisor and litigator and is thus continually at the forefront of new developments linked to content and technology in the production sector (website content, film restoration and digitalization, VOD and SVOD etc.), film finance and M&A operation in the entertainment sector as well as in communication crisis (corporate or professional e-reputation protection, follow-up of online audio and video playba...
Frédéric Sardain leads the IP, Tech & Data practice. His team’s activity covers transactional IP/IT, complex digital projects, strategic litigation as well as data compliance and cybersecurity. He is the author, with Pr. Philippe Gaudrat, of the “Traité de droit civil du numérique” published in 2015 by Larcier (2 volumes), a subject he taught for ten years at the Université Panthéon-Assas (Paris II). He regularly acts as a paneli...
Cécile Théard-Jallu has developed in-depth expertise as an attorney in private practice representing multinational corporations, including major US and European firms and organizations in the R&D and healthcare sector (public or private research institutions, academics, pharmaceutical laboratories, biotechnology companies, medical equipment manufacturers, service providers, software or connected health platforms publichers, investors, competitiveness clusters, tech transfer ...
Sophie joined DLA Piper in 2014, as an associate of the IPT department's litigation practice, led by Fabienne Panneau.Educated in France and the United Kingdom, she advises her clients mainly in the distribution and new technologies sectors and assists them in all related litigation.Her practice focuses on commercial litigation (contractual relationships, restrictive practices, deceptive and unfair commercial practices, unfair competition) and IT litigation (internet, liability of technical i...
Hermien van der Vynckt is mainly involved in matters relating to intellectual property (trademarks, patents, designs and copyrights) and information and communication technologies (computer law, internet-related matters, data protection, etc.), both in advice and litigation. He joined De Gaulle Fleurance & Associés in 2016 and has developed a special knowledge of issues regarding anti-counterfeiting programs (software, on-line sale) as well as the audiovisual and media sector.
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