Meet us in #London this week, at the EBRD 2025 Annual Meeting and Business Forum! 🌍 👉 On 13-15 May, our team of experts will join EBRD’s flagship annual event focusing on global and regional economic priorities. This year with the theme “Expanding Horizons, Enduring Strengths”, the event will revolve around the Bank’s five-year strategy, Ukraine’s reconstruction, global economic challenges, and investment opportunities across the region. ✨ Our team on the ground: Ferenczi Kristóf, Firm Managing Partner Csilla Andreko, Partner, Hungary, Firm-wide Co-Head of Banking & Finance  Daniel Bilak, Partner, Ukraine Illya Muchnyk, Partner, Ukraine Sher Yunusov, Partner, Uzbekistan We’re looking forward to connect in London! #ExceptionalTogether #InTheKnow #EBRD2025 #EBRDam #MeetUs #Conference #Geopolitics #Economics

🇪🇺 📢 European Commission issues first in-depth decision on the foreign subsidies regulation 📑 The European Commission published its landmark decision in the e& / PPF case — the first in-depth ruling under the foreign subsidies regulation. The decision provides critical insight into how the European Commission interprets foreign subsidies and market distortions. Importantly, the implications go far beyond state-related undertakings considering that private equity firms account for one third of all notifications. The case concerned Emirates Telecommunications Group (e&) acquiring PPF Telecom’s network and infrastructure businesses in #Slovakia, #Hungary, #Bulgaria, and #Serbia. Following a Phase II investigation, the Commission approved the deal subject to commitments addressing foreign subsidy concerns and potential market distortions. 🔍 Key takeaways for dealmakers: This decision is a clear signal to dealmakers and investors, particularly those backed by non-EU governments or sovereign funds. ✔️ Plan ahead – build in sufficient time for potential FSR review ✔️ Be vigilant during the acquisition process – purchase price valuation may be assessed ✔️ Assess foreign financial contributions early ✔️ Ensure transparency and robust documentation throughout the deal process 📖 Read more about the Commission’s decision and what it means for your business: https://lnkd.in/dAHrpkx2 #ExceptionalTogether #InTheKnow #ForeignSubsidyRegulation #MergersAndAcquisitions #PrivateEquity #EUCompetitionLaw #FSR #Telecom #Compliance #RegulatoryUpdates

Meet us at Vienna Arbitration Days 2025! 🎉 🌍 Join us today and tomorrow at this renowned conference, where leading arbitration experts come together to discuss the traditional and innovative approaches to dispute resolution, in line with this year’s special theme, “Orchestrating efficiency in arbitration: A symphony of modern solutions to the classic challenge”. We’re proud to be represented by: 👇 Radim Kotrba, Managing Associate (#Prague) and Firm-wide Co-Head of Dispute Resolution, József dr. Antal, Special Counsel (#Budapest), and Michal Hrušovský, Managing Associate (#Bratislava). 🤝 They’re looking forward to connect with fellow practitioners and exchange fresh perspectives. Learn more about the event: https://lnkd.in/ge5gSEG #ExceptionalTogether #MeetUs #InTheKnow #Vienna #VAD2024 #VAD #Arbitration #DisputeResolution #ViennArbitrationDays2025

📢 🇭🇺 We are proud to have advised MVM, Hungary’s leading state-owned energy group, on the sale of its telecoms subsidiary, MVM NET, to Pro-M. MVM NET is a key player in Hungary’s telecoms market, operating a nationwide infrastructure that delivers critical communications services to the energy sector and public institutions. 🔍 “This achievement is a testament not only to the dedication and professionalism of our team, but also to the unwavering commitment and strategic focus demonstrated by our client throughout the process which were critical in driving the transaction to a timely and successful closing.” said Gábor Gelencsér, Partner and Head of Corporate and M&A in our Budapest office. 💼 Our team was led by Gábor Gelencsér (Partner), with key support from László Palócz (Counsel) and Aron Barta (Managing Associate). 🔗 Read more here: https://lnkd.in/djDYPDQv #ExceptionalTogether #MergersAndAcquisitions #CorporateLaw #Hungary #DoneDeals #Telecommunications #EnergyLaw

📣 Our Franchising Law Handbook is now available! 📘 We are pleased to release the Franchising Law Handbook, our comprehensive guide on franchising law, developed by our IP and Competition law experts across multiple jurisdictions. The initiative was led by Partner Natalia Kirichenko to support businesses navigating the increasingly complex and fast-evolving legislation in this field. 🌍 👉 Access the guide here: https://lnkd.in/dBZ6sA7B 📌 The Handbook offers practical insights into key legal frameworks and regulatory requirements. It is designed to serve as a hands-on tool—whether you are launching a franchise, expanding internationally, or managing cross-border compliance challenges. The guide reflects our direct experience advising clients on structuring and negotiating franchise agreements, protecting intellectual property, managing disputes, and ensuring regulatory compliance. Our team is here to support the growth and protection of your franchise operations. Please contact Natalia Kirichenko to learn how we can assist with your franchising needs. 📩 #ExceptionalTogether #InTheKnow #Franchise #FranchisingLaw #Handbook #FranchisingLawHandbook #IP #CompetitionLaw #IPLaw

🇺🇦 🇷🇴 As we commemorate Victory in Europe Day, honouring the millions who sacrificed their lives to defeat tyranny in WWII, we are deeply reminded that peace and security are never guaranteed—they must be protected. This week we were proud to support the #GICA 2025 Spring #Conference “Industrial Cooperation in Times of Global Uncertainty” in #Bucharest – a leading defence and security event. Industry and government leaders, along with sector experts shared insights into their countries’ efforts to strengthen the defence sector in response to the increasingly challenging global security environment. 🎤 Daniel Bilak, Partner in our Kyiv office, was invited to speak on the localization of war production within the Ukrainian defence sector. He highlighted how Ukraine’s response to the war—together with that of its allies—has transformed the global defence industry's approach to offsets. His key takeaways include: 🔹 Ukraine’s Defence Industrial Base (#DIB) is rising fast—from $3B in 2021 to an expected $35B capacity in 2025 and requires international partnerships to meet demand. 🔹 Offset agreements, once standard, now require reinvention to deliver real value—co-production, IP transfers, and R&D, where weapons suppliers take much more “skin in the game” in terms of building a customer’s defence industrial base. 🔹 Innovation is driving software-defined warfare: drones, autonomous systems, and AI-driven technologies are making traditional heavy hardware vulnerable and increasingly obsolete, resulting in shifting procurement priorities. 🔹 Tech players in this area, like Helsing, Palantir, Auterion, and Anduril are challenging legacy primes, proving that agility and software-defined capabilities are the future of warfare. As a result, tie-ups between traditional “primes” and the new “tech primes” will be the future of military solutions offered to customers. 🔹 Ukraine’s warfare experience, industrial potential, and operational insights are essential to Europe’s defence resilience. 📞 Connect with Daniel Bilak for your #Defence sector needs—and invest in #Ukraine! #ExceptionalTogether #GICA2025 #InTheKnow #DefenceIndustry #WarProduction #InnovationInDefence #DefenceTechnology #UkraineReconstruction #RebuildUkraine #SlavaUkraini

🎬 The tariff war has crossed over to the film industry – what now? The U.S. announced a decision that could reshape the global film industry: the administration proposed a 100% tariff on all movies produced outside the United States. The details are not yet known, but the new tariff is prone to have major implications in the industry in our jurisdictions such as #Czechia, #Croatia, #Hungary, #Serbia, and #Slovakia — all popular destinations for U.S. production companies. 💡 Read the short article written by Petr Bratský, Managing Associate (Prague) and Firm-wide Co-Head of Interactive Entertainment & Gaming, and Anna Marciano, Associate (Prague), who shed a light on the most burning questions and possible implications of the decision: https://lnkd.in/dAc7WNi5 #ExceptionalTogether #InTheKnow #FilmIndustry #Tariffs #EntertainmentLaw #CEE #FilmTariff #LegalInsights