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30/10/2024
2024 ITechLaw European Conference in Munich
CMS lawyers are pleased to be attending the ITechLaw European Conference 2024 held in Munich on 30 October - 1 November. Below you can find our top tips for those visiting Munich for the conference, helpfully provided by our Technology lawyers based in the Munich office:Munich (Germany) is the capital of Bavaria. It is a city strongly influenced by Bavarian traditions and rich in history and culture. Many people refer to Munich as the northernmost city in Italy. This is due to the mild summer climate, a touch of Mediterranean flair and the short geographical distance to Italy. Some Facts: Distances:From Munich to the Italian border = 180 Km (approx. 112 miles)From Munich to Hamburg = 770 Km (approx. 480 miles)From Munich to Berlin (580 Km (approx. 360 miles)Pop­u­la­tion:1.589.706 inhabitants (2024). The third-largest city in Germany after Berlin and Ham­burgThe city's metropolitan region is home to about 6.2 million people and the third biggest metropolitan region by GDP in the European Uni­on­Re­com­men­ded:Art and Culture: Munich boasts world-class museums, galleries, and theaters. Visit the Alte Pinakothek for art lovers, the Deutsches Museum for science enthusiasts, and catch a performance at the Bavarian State Opera. Rich History: Munich is steeped in history, from its medieval origins to its role as the capital of Bavaria. Explore iconic landmarks like Marienplatz, Nymphenburg Palace, and the historic city gates. Green Spaces: Escape the hustle and bustle of the city in Munich's expansive green spaces. Relax in the English Garden, one of the largest urban parks in the world, or explore the botanical wonders of the Botanical Garden. Transportation: Munich's efficient public transportation system makes it easy to navigate the city. Utilize the U-Bahn, S-Bahn, trams, and buses (the easiest way to buy tickets is via MVV app), or explore by bike along the city's extensive network of cycling paths. Day Trips: Take advantage of Munich's central location to explore nearby attractions. Embark on day trips to the fairytale Neuschwanstein Castle, the picturesque town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber, or the charming villages of the Bavarian Alps. English-friendly Destination: While German is the official language, English is widely spoken and understood in Munich. Visitors can easily communicate with locals and navigate the city without language barriers. Safety and Cleanliness: Munich is known for its safety and cleanliness. Enjoy peace of mind as you explore the city's streets, parks, and attractions. Beer Culture: Munich is synonymous with beer, particularly during Oktoberfest. Experience Bavarian beer culture at traditional beer gardens like Hofbräuhaus and Au­gustin­er-Keller. Bavarian Cuisine: Indulge in hearty Bavarian dishes such as weißwurst (white sausage), pretzels, schnitzel, and sauerkraut. Don't miss out on trying traditional Bavarian delicacies at local restaurants and beer gardens e.g. Hofbräuhaus. Not re­com­men­ded:Trav­el­ling without cash: Don’t forget cash (there are still many local markets and smaller establishments that don't accept credit cards in Munich). Late hour shopping: Don't expect 24/7 shopping (unlike most major cities, Munich has strict shopping hours, and the shops close at 8pm on weekdays). Ordering the wrong beer: Don’t order a “Pilsener (Pils)”, always order a “Helles”. Feeding the pigeons: Feeding pigeons is not allowed in and around Munich. Walking on bike lanes: Munich is full of cyclists and there are many bike lanes. Please be aware that there might be a lot of traffic on the bike lanes and watch out for speedy cyclists when you are a pedestrian. At CMS, we are proud to have some of the leading global legal specialists in the technology, media and communications sector. Fuelled by huge customer demand for cutting-edge products and increased supply of pioneering services, the sectors of technology, media and communications are each undergoing unprecedented change. Innovation is key, and so tech and telecoms suppliers, and creators and distributors of media, need to protect their investments and maximise their commercial opportunities. At CMS, our global team of over 1000 specialist Technology, Media and Communications (TMC) lawyers has been exposed to virtually every risk and challenge you face. With our long-standing focus on advising suppliers, users, regulators and financiers in the sector, we are best placed to deliver innovative solutions through our award-winning disputes, transactions, IP, commercial, data privacy and security, employment and tax practices. To find out more about our capabilities across TMC, please visit International TMC webpage.
10/07/2024
Navigating the UPC: Insights from Year One
Join us on 10 July at 3:00 pm (CET) for an insightful online seminar as we delve into the inaugural year of the Unified Patent Court (UPC). Since its opening in June 2023, the UPC has changed the patent enforcement landscape in Europe and affected patent strategies for many companies. 12 months into its operation, we will analyse the trends emerging from the first decisions and the implications for overall strategies for patent en­force­ment. Dur­ing the webinar, you will hear from CMS patent experts (lawyers and patent attorneys) from several jurisdictions, including Austria, France, Germany, the Netherlands, and the UK. They will provide a comprehensive overview of the UPC’s first year in numbers and discuss the issues relating to preliminary injunctions, security for cost and enforcement. You will also hear about the pros and cons of opting out of the system and why you might want to reconsider this de­cision. Wheth­er you are a patent holder or a licensee, whether you have opted out of the Unitary Patent System or not, this webinar will provide valuable insights into the impact of the UPC on all companies with innovative activities in Europe.  Topics covered:  UPC’s year one in numbers – overview in stat­ist­ics Pre­lim­in­ary injunctions – Landmark decisions in the UPC’s first year Victory – what happens next? Should you revisit your opt-out decision?The webinar will be held in English language and attendance is free of charge. Please register by clicking on the button below.
09/07/2024
2024 Insurance sector webinar programme
Notwithstanding the extraordinary times we’ve all been operating in, the insurance sector continues to deal with fast-paced changes. Insurance companies should keep up with changing regulations and market trends that will impact on their day-to-day operations and long-term business. It has become crucial for (re)insurers, brokers, their risk managers and general counsels to get the right insight and advice across a wide range of claims and coverage, and regulatory and corporate issues. To deliver the expert responses that the insurance market needs, the CMS Insurance Group has developed a comprehensive programme for 2024.
02/07/2024
Webinar: From Local to Global: Hiring Internationally in the Dutch Mobility...
We are pleased to invite you to the webinar "From Local to Global: Hiring Internationally in the Dutch Mobility Sector" on Tuesday, 2 July 2024 from 15:00 - 16:00 CEST, online via GoTo Webinar. In today's...
26/06/2024
Africa Energy Forum 2024
Meet CMS Energy & Climate Change experts
26/06/2024
CMS Expert Guide for directors and CEOs
Welcome to the CMS Expert Guide for Directors and CEOs, last updated in June 2024. In carrying out their roles, company directors and CEOs must ensure compliance with the complex and evolving legal and...
24/06/2024
Digital Defense with Keynote Speech by Stacy Cummings, General Manager...
mediumThe GTWN (Global Telecom Women’s Network) and CMS invite you to join a webinar exploring the current status of digital developments and the impact of upcoming regulations on the pace of change. With the EU leading the way in outlining the frameworks within which development should take place, we will discuss how this will be interpreted globally, and ultimately shape the digital generation. The haunting presence of war continues to dominate news headlines and geopolitical tensions are higher than ever before. What is rarely mentioned however is how the nature of warfare itself is changing, with unprecedented speed. The NATO Support and Procurement Agency's (NSPA) view is that there are now five ‘domains’ of warfare: Land, Maritime, Air, Cyber and Space. Wars have been fought on land and sea for millennia, but war in the air is just over a century old. And we are only beginning to understand what cyber war and space war may mean for the world. Digital technology is fundamental to this transformation. While cyber is naturally digital, digital developments also underpin innovation in each of the four do­mains. NATO’s vision of the future includes the connection of command functions across all five domains through a common network, with a 5G-like network linking mobile command posts and handheld devices, as well as bringing advanced data analytics, cloud computing and AI onto the battlefield. We are delighted to announce that Stacy Cummings, General Manager at the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA), will be giving our Keynote Speech. Prior to joining NSPA, Ms. Stacy Cummings served as a career member of the Senior Executive Service in the Office of Secretary of Defense in the United States. Most recently holding the position of the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Ms. Cummings advised the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Acquisition on matters relating to the Department of Defense Acquisition System while advancing innovative, datadriven approaches across the acquisition enterprise. From January 2021, Ms. Cummings was selected to perform the duties of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment. In this position, she was responsible to the Secretary of Defense for all matters pertaining to acquisition, contract administration, logistics and materiel readiness, installations and environment, operational energy, chemical, biological, and nuclear weapons, the acquisition workforce, and the defense industrial base.  Stacy will be accompanied by Olga Belyakova, Partner at CMS in Kyiv. With over 20 years of focus in these sectors, Olga is best-placed to deliver innovative solutions and pragmatic advice on IT outsourcing, data protection, cybersecurity, cloud technology, IP and employment issues, as well as operational issues regarding data centres, AI, fintech and social media platforms. Specifically, Olga is constantly involved in the structuring of employment relations between the companies and software developers. Importantly, as a highly-acclaimed specialist in data protection, Olga constantly advises clients on legal issues in relation to the processing and protection of personal data, including with the help of cloud-based tech­no­logy.    The discussion will be chaired by GTWN Founding President, global infrastructure, network and innovation expert and entrepreneur, Candace Johnson.   For further information, please take a look at the Digital Defense publication which you can read here.   We look forward to you joining us and having the opportunity to put your questions to our speakers.
20/06/2024
CMS Expert Guide to cannabis law and legislation
Why this guide? In recent years cannabis trade and related activity has developed into a growth business area. In the life sciences and healthcare fields, there have been increases in the numbers of patients...
19/06/2024
AI Regulations in the EU, UK, and Asia: Essential Insights for HR and Employers
Join the members of the International CMS Employment and Pensions team for a webinar designed specifically for HR professionals, corporate leaders, and legal experts who need to stay ahead of the developments in the AI regulations across jurisdictions. Why Attend? The EU AI Act is poised to reshape the framework within which businesses operate. Understanding its implications is crucial for managing compliance and leveraging AI technology effectively within your HR practices. This webinar, led by employment law experts from CMS, will cover:Overview of the most important regulations in the EU AI Act for em­ploy­ersSpe­cif­ic impacts of the EU AI Act on roles, AI skills, AI-policies and the relationship with the works councilInsights on AI regulation in the UK and AsiaThe session will be conducted in English and is free of charge. We look forward to seeing you.
19/06/2024
CMS Expert Guide to International Arbitration
We live in a connected global environment where the number and complexity of international transactions is ever increasing.  As a consequence, the policies and activities in one area of the world can...
18/06/2024
Finance-related ESG litigation
The combination of a developing regulatory framework and heightened market expectations on both ESG disclosure and practices is creating a fertile ground for growth in litigation and regulatory sus­tain­ab­il­ity-re­lated risks for financial services firms. This is particularly the case against the backdrop of a significant uptick in claims brought by shareholders against companies and directors and the rise of climate activist litigators. Litigation funders are increasingly targeting ESG issues, enabling claimant groups to finance litigation against corporates, likely resulting in an increase in class actions. In addition to the substantial and evolving regulatory disclosure requirements for financial services, greenwashing is in sharper focus for regulators and su­per­visors. CMS have been supporting financial services firms with mapping these sus­tain­ab­il­ity-re­lated legal and regulatory risks, which are primarily connected to the publication of detailed information on sustainability matters – both at entity level and in financial product documentation. The priority questions we address are: How is the sus­tain­ab­il­ity-re­lated regulatory backdrop impacting the level of litigation and regulatory enforcement risk? What are the likely claims/en­force­ment that could arise? Who is likely to make a claim? If a claim/en­force­ment did occur, what is the likelihood of it succeeding and how does this relate to financial impact and reputational damage for our business?  We have various solutions to support with tackling this issue including:  training sessions - typically attendees come from all areas of the business with an interest in sustainability, most commonly legal, compliance and sustainability teams, to understand more of what the risks are and potential mitigation against them; sus­tain­ab­il­ity-re­lated litigation and regulatory risk matrix – mapping the risk of claims and enforcement that could arise, bespoke to your business. The matrix increases the understanding across personnel of the nature of the claims and enforcement that could arise and how to effectively mitigate against them; board packs – directors are increasingly in the greenwashing spotlight, with the requirements on them to take responsibility for sustainability strategies. Our board packs help unpack the legal and regulatory greenwashing risks in an appropriate format for directors. For an initial conversation on how we can support you on greenwashing risk, please reach out to the partners listed on this page or to your usual CMS contact.
18/06/2024
CMS Expert Guide to real estate finance law
A clear understanding of the security available is fundamental for lenders and borrowers. To assist, CMS has launched an interactive International Guide to Real Estate Finance. This provides a clear and...