Since the onset of the Russian invasion in 2014, and particularly since the full-scale invasion that began on February 24, 2022, Ukraine has found itself in the epicenter of a new and challenging reality. This ongoing conflict has sparked a remarkable surge in Ukraine’s defense technology sector.

More than two years ago, in April 2021, the European Commission presented its long-awaited proposal to regulate the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in Europe. AI is a rapidly developing group of technologies. Today, there is little doubt that these technologies have the potential to bring (and are already bringing) enormous economic and societal benefits across a wide range of industries and social activities. However, in the absence of legal regulation, these technologies can also be abused, with particularly severe consequences for both individuals and society.

On June 22, 2023, the Polish telecommunications regulator (the President of UKE) announced an auction of 3,6 GHZ frequencies intended for the 5G network. The auction will consist of a few phases, including submissions of initial bids, a formal assessment, trial auctions, auctions, and reservations of frequencies. It is expected that the auction will be settled this year. Despite the announced plans, the auction is affected by significant cybersecurity issues which have yet to be resolved.

Cybersecurity is trending in Czechia again not only because of recent large-scale cyber-attacks targeting important institutions such as hospitals, the Czech public radio, or the national highway directorate (resulting in some of its systems being unavailable for several months) but also due to legislative developments. Specifically, cybersecurity is also making headlines as it is time for many Czech businesses to get ready for the NIS 2 Directive (Directive (EU) 2022/2555 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 December 2022 on measures for a high common level of cybersecurity across the Union).

Recently, the Serbian Parliament enacted amendments to the Act on Electronic Communications (Act). The Act was drafted through a collaborative effort of representatives from a broad range of organizations, including the Regulatory Agency for Electronic Communications and Postal Services (RATEL), the Regulatory Agency for Electronic Media (REM), the National Alliance for Local Economic Development (NALED), the Foreign Investors Council, the National Convention on the European Union, supplemented by expert opinions from the business sector.

The initiation of the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA) on May 2, 2023 marked a pivotal turning point in digital markets. Designed to counteract the monopoly-like tendencies of so-called “gatekeepers” – large online platforms wielding significant power – the DMA is revolutionizing the digital space. However, its implications extend beyond these giant companies, and it’s essential to examine the impact on smaller EU members like Slovenia.

On May 31, 2023, the Sofia City Court issued a landmark decision in the field of copyright protection, pursuant to which three internet providers were directed to disable the access of their users to peer-to-peer file-sharing platforms Zamunda and The Pirate Bay – to both the main torrent websites and any known proxies allowing access to these platforms.

In the digital era, the protection of personal data has become a critical concern. Governments and regulatory bodies worldwide are actively working to ensure that individuals’ privacy rights are upheld and telecommunications providers play a significant role in this landscape. In this context, a brief review of the Hellenic Data Protection Authority’s (HDPA) case law concerning telecommunications providers in Greece over the past 12 months would lead to invaluable insights into the evolving respective legal landscape and the challenges faced by both organizations and individuals in safeguarding personal data.

Following global trends, Croatia has seen rapid growth in influencer marketing in the past few years. On one hand, the main benefit is evident: partnering with the right influencer helps a brand grow exponentially. On the other hand, same as with social media posts, the accompanying legal and reputational risks can go viral in no time, so brand companies, marketing agencies, and influencers should tread carefully.

The most accurate sentence that describes AI language models would be: “I’m sorry, the answers are ready, you just need to ask the right questions.”

In accordance with the Law on Foreign Direct Investment Policy in Bosnia and Herzegovina, foreign investors are guaranteed the following:

The end of September 2023 not only marked the close of the month but also heralded the replacement of Macedonia’s previous Law on Advocacy with a new substantially amended law. The new law, which entered into force on 3 October 2023, introduced significant amendments designed to elevate the level of practice of law in Macedonia.

The Ministry of Economic Development and Tourism adopted the Draft Law on Real Estate Brokerage. The adoption of this law is motivated primarily by the need to suppress the grey economy that is flourishing in the field of real estate brokerage. The second, equally important motive is the protection of participants and the prevention of abuses and fraud in real estate sales.

In the past, banks have predominantly relied on financial metrics to guide their funding strategies. However, with the prominence and importance of ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) principles, a paradigm shift is underway. Sustainability metrics are gaining prominence in the decision-making process for financing companies or projects.

After a delay of more than a year, an act on preventive restructuring (the "Act") implementing the EU directive on preventive restructuring frameworks finally became effective in the Czech Republic on 23 September 2023. The long-awaited Act introduces a brand-new legal tool preventing the insolvency of viable enterprises in temporary financial distress.

At the end of September, the long-awaited Regulation (EU) 2023/1804) on the deployment of alternative fuel infrastructure, and repealing Directive 2014/94/EU (“AFIR”) was published in the Official Journal of the European Union. Though the entry into force of AFIR is 13 April 2024, it is worth reviewing the key takeaways that the AFIR introduces as part of the EU’s Fit for 55 package.

Trade secrets are an invaluable asset for many businesses, often encompassing years of research, innovation, and strategic development. Protecting them is paramount, and the legal landscape surrounding this protection is ever-evolving. The European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) recently published the report “Trade Secrets Litigation Trends in the EU” (June 2023), which provides fresh insights into the state of trade secrets litigation within the European Union.

September 2023 – According to Article 5 of the Serbian Banking Act (Zakon o bankama), no person other than a bank licensed in Serbia may engage in the granting of loans unless authorised by law. One Serbian law that does allow foreign banks (i.e., banks not established and licensed in Serbia) to provide cross-border loans to Serbian entities is the Serbian Foreign Exchange Act (Zakon o deviznom poslovanju). In particular, Article 18(7) of the Foreign Exchange Act expressly allows Serbian entities to borrow cross-border from foreign banks, which are not required to obtain a banking licence in Serbia for this purpose.