On 28 April 2023 the European Commission ("Commission") put forth a proposal (Link) to revise Directive (EU) 2015/2366 (Payment Services Directive, "PSD2"), which was adopted on the EU level in 2015 and transposed into Austrian law by the Payment Services Act (Zahlungsdienstegesetz 2018 – ZaDiG 2018).

Schoenherr has successfully protected the trademark rights of Jaegermeister in a dispute regarding their imitation by a discount private label by obtaining an EU-wide preliminary injunction before Austria's Supreme Court of Justice.

Brandl Talos has advised the shareholders on their sale of Ready2Order to Zucchetti. Schoenherr advised Ready2Order early investor Franz Hoerhager, while Schindler Attorneys advised Co-Founder Christoph Zhu on the transaction. Fellner Wratzfeld & Partner advised the Zucchetti Group.

Schoenherr has advised Verbund – via its Verbund Energy4Business and Verbund Thermal Power subsidiaries – on the acquisition of all shares in Solarpower Holding together with its subsidiaries MSP Solarpower and IFIX-Solar from its shareholder. SCWP Schindhelm reportedly advised the sellers.

Schoenherr has advised DDM Holding on the acquisition of a non-performing loan portfolio with a face value of over EUR 1 billion from Intrum. DLA Piper advised Intrum on the sale and its exit from the Romanian market.

The so-called M&A tool is probably the most impactful element of the Foreign Subsidies Regulation (FSR), affecting many global and even local transactions. A first read of the FSR's provisions may give the incorrect impression that the tool covers only few large transactions, but its impact may be much more significant than this. Let us take a closer look at what to keep in mind when engaging in an M&A transaction process.

Binder Groesswang has advised microbiome technology R&D company Biome Diagnostics on its investment round with Uniqa Group company SanusX. Schoenherr reportedly advised the investors.

Nicotine pouches are small pouches or pads containing nicotine and no tobacco. They are placed under the lip so that the nicotine is absorbed into the body through the mucous membrane. This alternative to traditional tobacco products, especially cigarettes, has been growing in popularity in recent years.

Hungary’s agricultural sector has a rich historical tradition but faces challenges due to insufficient financing. The European Union’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) provides funding for farm restructuring and market support, while Hungarian farmers can seek financing from banks and cooperatives. The Hungarian government has also established various programs to provide financing for agriculture, including subsidies for machinery and technology investments and funding for training. 

The practice of the Romanian Competition Council (RCC) over the last few years can be summed up in a rather simple headline: many (more) cases and substantial fines.

With most of Europe facing turbulent times, Romanian markets are experiencing vibrant PE fund activity across a wide plethora of sectors. Popovici Nitu Stoica and Asociatii Managing Partner Florian Nitu, Wolf Theiss Partner Ileana Glodeanu, and Schoenherr Partner Madalina Neagu take a deep dive into the markets and their drivers.

The CEELM Top 10 series looks back over the past ten years and celebrates the milestones we have achieved together. First up: most-read Briefings, with each article featuring a short description reflecting the authors’ opinion at the time.

Kinstellar has advised Danish developer Jantzen Renewables ApS on its sale of the Helios 1 photovoltaic cluster in Romania to OMV Petrom. Schoenherr reportedly advised OMV.

Schoenherr has advised HS Timber Industrieinvest on establishing a joint venture with Hat Trick to build a sawmill in Argentina and produce and trade logs worldwide. PHH advised Hat Trick.

Schoenherr, working with the UK's Marriott Harrison, has advised the professional audio mixing console manufacturer Audiotonix Group on its acquisition of Austrian start-up Sonible. Held Berdnik Astner & Partner and RafterMarsh reportedly advised the sellers.

Schoenherr has advised the joint lead managers on Raiffeisen-Landesbank Steiermark’s EUR 500 million issuance of mortgage-covered bonds. Wolf Theiss advised the issuer.

Did You Know that a total of 11 law firms have worked on four or more reported Energy/Natural Resources deals in CEE so far this year? According to the Activity Rankings function of the CEELMDirect website, the leaderboard is led by Norton Rose Fulbright, which has worked on ten Energy/Natural Resources deals reported since January 1, 2023.

The German Supply Chain Due Diligence Act (Lieferkettensorgfaltspflichtengesetz; "LkSG") is effective from 1 January 2023 for companies and branches based in Germany with more than 3,000 employees, with further extension to companies with more than 1,000 employees from 1 January 2024.