In addition to numerous advantages, digitalization has brought certain risks that companies and individuals have to face, and these are mainly related to the protection of personal data, i.e. the implementation of the GDPR.
The Cvjetićanin&Partners Law Firm has been providing legal assistance to highly digitalized companies that are leaders in their respective industries for more than a decade. The firm’s team is composed of young, innovative and promising people, who always try and succeed in offering their clients solutions tailored to their business models.
What do you think is the most important factor for the success of a digital company in the Serbian market?
I believe that trade secrets carry the greatest value for such companies. Hence, there is an overriding need to protect data that are the subject of a trade secret. In practice, this is most often done by concluding an NDA (non-disclosure agreement).
In addition to protecting their trade secrets, what else is important to such companies?
The protection of intellectual property rights is equally important. First and foremost, this is trademark protection, which provides the company with a market identity and makes it recognizable. Moreover, the possibility of protecting the company’s Internet domain from common practices such as cyber squatting depends on the timely registration of the trademark. Unfortunately, there are a lot of such disputes, and we resolve them quite efficiently before panels such as the RINDS Commission for Domain Name Dispute Resolution.
Also, for IT companies, the protection of computer programmes (applications) that are their products is very important. Computer programme has copyright protection, but we also
advise that the source code should be deposited with the Intellectual Property Office, for additional legal security.
Young generations of lawyers favour digitalization and the areas of law that regulate this matter
Does digitalization have downsides?
In addition to numerous advantages, digitalization has brought certain risks that companies and individuals have to face, and these are mainly related to the protection of personal data, i.e. the implementation of the GDPR.
What do you think of the young, up and coming lawyers?
Young generations of lawyers favour digitalization and the areas of law that regulate this matter. I think universities should recognize that by establishing a new department for studying this area of law. Our law firm strives to provide its modest contribution by organizing and conducting student internships over the years, in cooperation with universities.