The yearbook of the Hungarian tax authority summarising the most important tax events and statistics for 2022 has been published. It shows, among other things, the number of fines imposed and the effectiveness with which the tax authority's decisions can be challenged. We have compiled the most important and informative figures from the yearbook.

Lakatos Koves & Partners has advised Polish listed company Selena Group on a strategic collaboration with Hungary's Masterplast to establish a glass wool factory in Szerencs. Peremiczki & Turi reportedly advised Masterplast.

Whichever product or service you are discussing, there are certain names, images or slogans that immediately come to mind. When setting up a business, it is crucial for any founder that the brand they represent has a distinctive, recognizable, ringing name. Building a solid business reputation is a long and bumpy road, but safeguarding legal protection for a brand name or logo to ensure exclusivity is much easier than many people think: the solution lies in trademark protection.

Former Deloitte Legal Managing Associate Adam Boross has joined Jalsovszky as its new Head of the Banking and Finance group.

In 2016, when local authorities had been able to levy municipal taxes for more than a year already, we summarised the lessons that had been learned up to then from this newest genre of local taxes. At the time, we were waiting with bated breath to see what the future would bring, that is; to see just how creative local governments would get in thinking up new taxes. So what did ever happen to the ‘kitsch tax’, the ‘pony tax’ and all those other local levies? Now that a few years have passed, the time has come for us to once again peer into the weird and wonderful world of municipal taxes.

Cytowski and Partners has advised Axoflow on its USD 2.5 million seed round co-led by Credo Ventures, 500 Emerging Europe, and Notion Capital, including several CEE angel investors. Diamond Law reportedly advised 500 Emerging Europe.

The Hungarian Code of Advertising Ethics (hereinafter referred as: the “Code”) has not been revised since 2015, but the achievements of the times and the accelerated flow of information made it necessary to include some specific elements into the Code. Following approval by the advertising industry bodies, the new Code came into force on June 30, 2023. The purpose of this article is to highlight the most important changes to the content, in order of their position in the new Code.

Kinstellar, working with Watson Farley & Williams, has advised South Korea's Yanolja Cloud on its acquisition of Go Global Travel from the AMI Opportunities Fund.

Pontes Budapest has advised BayWa AG on the sale of its Aufwind Schmack Elso Biogaz Szolgaltato subsidiary operating the Szarvas biogas power plant to Hungary's MOL Group.

With the Schrems II judgment, which invalidated the Privacy Shield, the CJEU (Court of Justice of the European Union) make it more difficult to comply with the GDPR for companies transferring personal data from the EU to the US. However, the new EU-US Data Privacy Framework (or “Framework”) adopted on 10 July aims to put an end to this situation. But how does the Framework make data transfers between the EU and US easier? In this short article, we explain the basics of the new Framework and answer the above question.

Based on the GDPR, data controllers have several obligations, such as maintaining the records of data processing or in case of joint controllers, entering into an agreement which determines their respective responsibilities for compliance with their data protection related obligations. In a recent case, the Court of Justice of the European Unio (‘CJEU’) needed to decide on the issue whether the non-compliance with these obligations constitutes unlawful processing resulting in the duty to erase the personal data of the data subject.

Vodafone Hungary Head of Regulatory Magdolna Csomor has joined 4iG as Deputy Head of Group Regulatory.

Hengeler Mueller has advised Muhr und Bender on the acquisition of RUAG International Holding’s aerostructures activities in Oberpfaffenhofen and Eger. Baker McKenzie, and reportedly Pestalozzi, advised RUAG International Holding. Reportedly, Lakatos, Koves & Partners and Novalex advised Muhr und Bender as well.

The Court of Justice’s strike on protectionism in favor of ‘strategic companies’ in the Member States.

Smart grids are rapidly becoming the backbone of modern electricity networks. The integration of digital communication and control technologies enables smart grids to optimize electricity generation, distribution, and consumption. However, the increased use of digital technologies and the massive amounts of data generated also raises serious concerns about data security. This article will explore the data security concerns around smart grids.

Schoenherr, working alongside Jones Day, has advised GfK SE on the EUR 315 million sale of its European Consumer Panel business to YouGov. DLA Piper advised YouGov.

On 13 June 2023, the Hungarian Parliament adopted a new law regulating the employment of foreign workers. The law introduces the concept of guest workers (third-country nationals from countries outside the EEA and from non-neighbouring countries) and establishes guidelines for their employment in Hungary.

The EU Directives on Work-life balance and on Transparent and predictable working conditions were introduced into the Hungarian national legislation in January 2023 and brought about significant changes and obligations for employers. What do they mean for businesses?