IP | IT | Law

At the BvD Autumn Conference 2026, Dr Martin Schirmbacher will speak about the data access rights set out in the Data Act, potential conflicts with the GDPR, and the implications for data protection consultancy.

At the 8th Symposium on Freedom of Information, Prof. Niko Härting presented the German Bar Association’s proposals for reforming the Freedom of Information Act. The key points of his keynote speech have now been published in the conference proceedings.

What compensation are data owners entitled to claim if they are required to disclose data from connected products to third parties? Dr Martin Schirmbacher explains the requirements set out in the Data Act regarding fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory contractual terms.

Episode 55 of the sports law podcast “Liebling Bosman” focuses on ticket allocation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the employment law implications of taking on a secondary role in the Baller League. Fabian Reinholz, Robert Golz and Dr Holger Jakob discuss the complaint lodged by Football Supporters Europe and Euroconsumers against FIFA regarding the allocation and pricing of World Cup tickets. In an interview, FSE Director Stuart Dykes explains the background to the issue and the potential rights of football fans. The hosts also examine a court ruling on the conditions under which a head coach’s role in the Baller League could justify dismissal.

Dr Ole Schröder is investigating how legal uncertainty surrounding the processing of personal data hinders innovation and complicates the development of data-driven business models and AI applications in Europe.

In his foreword to the *Casebook on European Data Law*, Dr Ole Schröder assesses the significance of the Council of the European Union in the emergence and further development of European data protection law.

In episode 185 of “Follow the Rechtsstaat”, Prof. Niko Härting and Dr Stefan Brink discuss recent rulings and debates that straddle the line between light and shadow. First, they address a proposal to schedule demonstrations and counter-demonstrations at different times. They then discuss the planned reform of data protection supervision. Other topics include a ruling by the European Court of Justice on a Swedish database containing information on criminal proceedings, as well as the publication of athletes’ personal data in cases of doping offences.

An analysis of the Covid-19 support schemes is now making it increasingly clear that many of the demands for repayment are not simply a reflection of sound budgetary management, but the result of legally questionable tightening of the rules, unclear decisions and hastily conducted mass proceedings. Courts in North Rhine-Westphalia and Baden-Württemberg have set clear limits for the authorities. Whilst other federal states are responding politically to this development, Berlin has so far stuck to a hardline and non-transparent approach.

In episode 184 of “Follow the Rechtsstaat”, Prof. Niko Härting and Dr Stefan Brink discuss well-known contentious issues that are once again in the legal and political spotlight. The focus is on the complaint lodged by Reporters Without Borders against the use of spyware by the Federal Intelligence Service, data protection risks associated with the use of cloud solutions by public libraries, and international data transfers. The two also discuss what implications current developments in the US might have for the adequacy decision on the EU-US Data Privacy Framework.