BACIU PARTNERS

Regardless of the angle of the picture (speaking both literally – hence the photos, and metaphorically - hence the takeaways shared below), the keywords remain the same: level playing field principle, self-regulation, and impact studies. Andrei Cosma moderated the panel joined by Carmen Buriu and Alex Ghiurcau, our distinguished guests, on "Advertising in the gambling industry amid legislative pressures" during the recent ReUNION OF GAMBLING PROFESSIONALS, organized by Casino Inside. The three engaged in a practical discussion about the challenges related to advertising restrictions and analyzing the necessary balance between the protection of vulnerable groups and the viability of the industry, in the context of a "legislative inflation". The debate revolved around topics that have a potentially significant impact on setting trends and operationalizing viable market approaches: 📌 Adapting to recent legislative changes on gambling advertising, with key sub-themes: ◾️Restricting out-of-home (OOH)advertising to a maximum format of 35 m²: The panel highlighted the need for increased consultation with all parties concerned and transparency to avoid sudden regulation changes. ◾️The obligation to notify the ONJN about the advertising contracts both for OOH and TV. 📌 Suggestions for legislative initiatives to improve the functioning of advertising in the industry: ◾️The main conclusion was the need for a "level-playing field" where all operators follow the same rules without differentiated approaches. ◾️Self-regulation has emerged as a more efficient solution than the overlapping of normative acts, which often generate redundant obligations that are not based on impact studies. We thank our guests for a dynamic and engaging discussion!

  The IP Enforcement Portal (IPEP) Forum 2024 hosted by EUIPO - European Union Intellectual Property Office reconfirmed its positioning as a highly anticipated gathering for IP professionals, enforcement authorities, and stakeholders, designed to foster collaboration and share the latest tools and strategies for more effective IP enforcement. Iulia Dobre and Maria Andreea Moldovan shared valuable insights into the challenges and advancements in the enforcement of IP rights as generated by the event, including on topics like: 📌 Mandatory e-AFA submissions 📌 Efforts of police and customs authorities 📌 E-commerce platforms’ strategies 📌 Innovation and future plans   💡 To raise awareness of intellectual property aspects and help companies understand the relevant concepts, risks, and benefits connected to them, BACIU PARTNERS professionals constantly attend highly reputable events, such as the EUIPO supported or organized conferences. Please get in touch if you would like to discuss more on any of the above topics.

"𝐔𝐧𝐟𝐚𝐢𝐫 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐒𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐬", a conference recently organized by the IPR Working Group (GLPPI) and with the support of the Scientific Association of Intellectual Property Law, the Romanian Association of Competition Law, and the US Department of Justice, and hosted by the National Institute of Magistracy, brought together over 80 professionals active in the field of intellectual property. George-Mihai Irimescu was invited as speakers in the panel "𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐬 𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭 𝐬𝐮𝐛𝐬𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐤 𝐨𝐫 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧", joining a distinguished line-up of intellectual property professionals. His presentation, "𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐔𝐧𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐬", provided valuable insights into this topic, focusing on: ◾️ A brief overview of the history of the protection of unregistered trademarks ◾️ Analysis of the protection of unregistered trademarks at the European Union level and in two Member States, Denmark and Italy ◾️ Reflections on the protection of unregistered trademarks in Romania The discussions that followed the panel generated an intense and constructive exchange of ideas, highlighting common challenges and possible solutions in the field of distinctive sign protection. 

🎉 In recognition of the combination of legal expertise, client service, and ethical standards promoted by the firm, BACIU PARTNERS was awarded the "𝐁𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐋𝐚𝐰 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐦 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐑𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐚" distinction at the 2024 Casino Inside Gala Awards, the Romanian Gaming Celebration event now in its 10the edition. "We are committed to fostering knowledge exchange and sharing best practices with our clients, industry peers, and dedicated professional associations. Our collaborative efforts focus on achieving collective goals, and we consider that independent recognitions such as the Casino Inside award serve as a testament to our team's dedication to this approach. Congratulations to the entire BACIU PARTNERS Gaming & Gambling Regulatory team for this outstanding achievement!" mentioned Ana-Maria Baciu on accepting the award. ✨ We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our clients and business partners for their unwavering trust and support. Your confidence in us is a driving force behind our success. Also, congratulations on your 15th anniversary, Casino Inside, Dan Bernovici and Marius Raileanu — a celebration that has become a reference for the industry! May there be many more to come. - joining Ana-Maria for the Awards Gala: Andrei Cosma, Adela Nuta, Anca Stefanescu Toma

⚠️ Rapiditatea și eficiența procedurii ordonanței președințiale sunt adesea umbrite de o serie de ambiguități procedurale, deși aceasta beneficiază de un cadru normativ specific. Unul dintre cele mai dezbătute subiecte în acest context este caracterul obligatoriu al întâmpinării în calea de atac, o chestiune ce generează divergențe și dificultăți practice atât la nivelul instanțelor de judecată, cât și în rândul părților direct implicate în litigiu. ❓Depunerea întâmpinării în calea de atac a ordonanței președințiale este sau nu un act procesual obligatoriu? Acesta este întrebarea-premisă de la care vom porni pentru a sublinia impactul acestei incertitudini asupra eficienței procedurii în sine și asupra garantării principiului dreptului la apărare, ca regulă de bază a procesului civil. 💡 În acest context, Oana- Cătălina Matei Ionescu și Iunia Radu au pus în discuție atât problemele actuale de interpretare a legii, cât și soluții posibile care ar putea contribui la crearea unei practici judiciare unitare în materie disponibil și în primul link de mai jos (română și engleză).

🚩 Gambling advertising has always been one of the most sensitive topics for the local market. Every year, we witness the enforcement of new legal restrictions and the emergence of numerous other legislative proposals aimed at limiting or censoring the industry's advertising. In this context, Andrei Cosma will moderate the panel on 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐲 𝐀𝐦𝐢𝐝 𝐋𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐬. 🗣 Hosted by the 12th edition of the Gambling Professionals ReUNION, a flagship event organized by Casino Inside, the discussion will facilitate a spot-on debate joined by our distinguished guests Carmen Buriu, Geanina Oprița, and Alex Ghiurcau. The panel aims to discuss the latest challenges related to advertising restrictions, analyzing the much-needed balance between protecting vulnerable groups and the industry's viability in the context of legislative inflation. 𝐁𝐀𝐂𝐈𝐔 𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐍𝐄𝐑𝐒 is a Legal Partner for the event which is designed to bring together representatives from online and land-based operators, affiliates, suppliers, and professional services firms, as well as relevant authorities.

Două noi acte normative care vizează protecția desenelor și modelelor industriale au fost recent publicate în Jurnalul Oficial al Uniunii Europene. Acestea aduc schimbări importante pentru a alinia legislația la cerințele erei digitale și ale progresului tehnologic, inclusiv tehnologia imprimării 3D. Pachetul legislativ, format din Directiva (UE) 2024/2823 și Regulamentul (UE) 2024/2822, reformează cadrul existent, asigurând o mai bună protecție a desenelor și modelelor industriale și o armonizare a legislațiilor statelor membre. Scopul? Eliminarea diferențelor semnificative dintre nivelurile de protecție națională, precum și crearea unui cadru modern adaptat nevoilor producătorilor de piese aftermarket, creatorilor de conținut digital și altor industrii relevante. Andreea Bende și Narcis Codori au analizat unele dintre cele mai importante modificări aduse de noua legislație, subliniind implicații posibile pentru comunitatea de afaceri. Articolul este disponibil în română și engleză în primul comentariu de mai jos.

In a world defined by change, the regulation of gambling advertising is no exception. Ana-Maria Baciu joined the conversation during the 15th edition of the EEGS, speaking in the panel designed around the theme "New restrictions on Gambling Advertising: Is this removing the competitive edge of licensed operators over unregulated ones?". A key takeaway? One consistent trend: restrictions are becoming increasingly stringent with each passing year. The panel delved into the progression of these regulations, reflecting on past developments to anticipate what lies ahead, as those contributing to the evolution of the industry should remain focused on the dynamic landscape that defines it, exploring how regulatory frameworks are evolving across different jurisdictions. The goal of the panelists? Equip stakeholders with insights to prepare for the challenges and opportunities the future may bring to the region. "𝐋𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐝, 𝐰𝐞'𝐫𝐞 𝐛𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐭 𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫'𝐬 𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧 𝐄𝐮𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐧 𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭. 𝐔𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐞𝐬!" concluded Ana-Maria. Congratulations, Eastern European Gaming Summit team for another consistent and coherent event! Always a pleasure!

Partnerships are the bedrock of success, and far too few achievements are truly individual. Whether we’re navigating challenges or pursuing ambitious goals, it is the collaboration, trust, and shared vision we build with others that enable advancement. The message of the distinguished guests at the AmCham Romania Thanksgiving celebration was crystal clear: while gratitude anchors us, it should never make us complacent. 🍂 To be grateful is not to be content with the status quo but to recognize the opportunities to explore, learn, and make the interaction process worthwhile while making our voices—individually and collectively—heard, reverberating our values, and fully aware that every decision we make has a ripple effect. Every decision! 🙌 Thank you, AmCham Romania, for this special occasion. We are grateful for the continued growth and collaboration spirit you are infusing into the community!   BACIU PARTNERS is a proud member of AmCham Romania. CC: Corina Roman and Anca Stefanescu Toma

⚙️ The importance of harmonizing GDPR enforcement and enhancing international cooperation in data protection was the topic to kick off the 2024 IAPP Europe Data Protection Congress, thanks to the impressive keynote by Didier Reynders, European Commissioner for Justice. And with this, from its first note, this year’s edition impressed with the comprehensive agenda proposed by the organizers that addressed key topics in data protection and privacy. Other though-provoking topics on the agenda included: 💡 the "AI Act in Action" series, featuring six in-depth sessions that explored the EU AI Act's framework, including its legal mandates, associated challenges, and strategies for achieving compliance. 💡 the sessions on children's privacy policies, data governance strategies, cybersecurity readiness, data subject requests, enforcement trends, cross-border data transfers and the role of Data Protection Officers. Overall, the Congress provided extremely powerful insights into crucial data protection challenges and trends, providing participants with the much-needed tools to prepare for evolving regulations. Thank you, Adela, for these fantastic takeaways! We've made a note for 2025: let's keep the inflow of first-hand insights coming. And guess what? 'Tag, you're it! 😊