IT Law Attorney Vienna – Mag. Schaunig
Legally secure solutions for the digital economy
We are your reliable partner in IT law. Whether you need advice, contracts, protection of intellectual property or representation in lawsuits & proceedings – as a lawyer we are at your side. In Vienna, Austria & throughout Europe.
We take your IT rights into our own hands
Digitalization is changing the way companies operate, collaborate and provide services. IT law issues are no longer peripheral matters; they affect companies of all sizes on a daily basis.
IT law governs the legal relationships between all parties involved in connection with information technology or IT services. It is an area of law that overlaps with many other fields, such as copyright law, contract law and data protection law. IT contracts may therefore cover a wide range of matters—from the provision of hosting and cloud services to the development, licensing or maintenance of software.
Whether you need software agreements, IT contracts, general terms and conditions, or advice on the GDPR, data protection and IT law, our entire team at our Vienna law firm is here to assist you from start to finish.
As IT lawyers in Vienna, we also advise SMEs, start-ups and international companies on all legal matters relating to IT contracts, outsourcing and digital compliance — personally, directly and 100% in-house.
Your request, our services
Contracts
- Creation & testing
- License agreements
- IT contracts
- Framework agreements
- Agreements on data and technology transfers
- General terms and conditions — including for online shops and digital services
- Privacy policy
- Joint venture agreements
- Auftragsdatenverarbeitungsvertrag
- Service Level Agreements
- also for apps, taking into account the requirements of the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
Consulting
- Individual advice, tailored to your needs
- on data protection, GDPR & compliance
- Contract law
- Digitization
- Software law
- Copyright
- Internet, Domains, E-Commerce
- when implementing new software solutions
- in the event of claims brought against you by third parties (e.g. injunctive relief or loss of profit)
Proceedings & lawsuits
- judicial
- out of court
- beforeåsupervisory authorities
- Claims for damages
- Warranty claims
- Legal action
- interim injunctions
- also in cases of domain grabbing (the registration of multiple domain names for abusive purposes)
- Injunctive relief, loss of profit
- etc.
Protection of intellectual property
- Trademark applications (national, Europe-wide, international)
- Copyright
- License law
Employee training
- on compliance and IT law
- tailored to your specific needs
- for both small and large teams.
Additional services:
- Support with IT outsourcing projects
- Assistance with licence audits
- Legal support in the event of cyberattacks
- Legally compliant implementation of online shops (e.g. cancellation policy)
What we offer you as IT law attorneys
In-house support
For many companies, large law firms are too expensive and impersonal. As a lawyer, we look after you 100% in-house, are your personal partner and represent you professionally in and out of court.
Legally compliant documents
We create all the necessary documents directly in our office – legally compliant and tailored to your requirements. We keep an eye on all deadlines and always make time for your questions and requests.
Contracts for Austria & Europe-wide
We can offer you contracts for Austria and other EU countries. Your bonus: Our contract law firms in the respective country check the contracts once again before we pass them on to you.
Why IT contracts are important
Innovation drives companies forward. Being and remaining on the legally compliant side is the be-all and end-all – and the best safeguard for your company.
This is precisely why IT law contracts must be watertight in all respects. Whether liability, warranty or intellectual property rights: only a legally compliant structure avoids conflicts and court proceedings in advance.
One important point is that traditional contract law often cannot clearly address every question or specific feature of the IT sector. Tailored provisions designed specifically for the IT context are often required. You should therefore consult a specialized lawyer when drafting IT contracts and software agreements.
When drafting the contract, this ensures that all parties know what their rights, obligations and services to be performed are. It also includes provisions on delays, data protection, GDPR and the protection of intellectual property.
As IT law attorneys based in Vienna, we are your reliable partner, helping you avoid legal pitfalls before they arise by drafting and reviewing your contracts.
Your lawyer in 1020 Vienna
Drafting legally compliant IT framework agreements
IT framework agreements provide a stable legal foundation for long-term IT collaborations — for example, with software developers, external IT service providers or technology partners.
Instead of drafting a new contract for each individual project, framework agreements establish the fundamental terms and conditions once and on an ongoing basis.
Particularly important provisions of an IT framework agreement:
- Scope of services and quality standards
- Limitations of liability and allocation of risk
- Confidentiality and data protection (GDPR compliance)
- Intellectual property: Who owns the rights to the developed code or system?
- Termination and amendment rights in the event of technological changes
Tip: A well-drafted IT framework agreement helps prevent costly disputes and provides both parties with long-term legal protection.
Service Level Agreements (SLAs) – legal safeguards for IT services
Our values
SLAs are used whenever a company receives ongoing IT services—whether cloud hosting, IT support, software maintenance or managed services.
A legally sound Service Level Agreement clearly defines the service quality guaranteed by the provider.
Key legal considerations:
- Precise definition of availability levels (e.g. 99.9% uptime)
- Response and recovery times in the event of outages
- Contractual penalties and service credits in the event of non-performance
- Escalation procedures and communication obligations
- Liability caps: To what extent is the provider liable for damages?
- Termination rights in the event of persistent poor performance
Caution: Unclear or missing SLAs often result in companies having to bear their own losses in the event of a dispute. Clear contractual provisions are therefore essential.
IT outsourcing in Austria – legal support from an IT lawyer
IT outsourcing offers significant economic benefits—but it also entails complex legal challenges.
Schaunig Law Firm supports companies throughout the entire outsourcing process—from start to finish.
Our approach to IT outsourcing:
- Due diligence: Analysis of the existing IT structures and contracts prior to outsourcing
- Contract drafting: Preparation of the outsourcing agreement, including SLAs, data protection agreements and exit clauses
- Transition support: Legal safeguards during the transition phase.
- Ongoing support: Contract monitoring and adjustments in response to changing requirements
Key legal aspects of IT outsourcing:
- Data protection and GDPR: Data processing agreements (DPAs)
- Allocation of liability between the client and the service provider
- Exit strategies: What happens when the outsourcing arrangement ends?
- Compliance requirements in regulated industries (finance and healthcare) and data protection law
Employee training on IT law, artificial intelligence and compliance
Our values
The weakest link in the IT security chain is often the human factor. Well-trained employees are therefore a key component of any compliance strategy.
We offer practical, individually tailored IT compliance workshops for companies and teams of all sizes. The specific format and content are tailored to your particular needs and relevant areas of risk.
Format and organization:
- Duration: Half-day to two-day workshops, depending on the scope of topics and your needs.
- No minimum number of participants—from small groups to the entire team
- Individually tailored to the specific company, industry and internal processes
Typical training topics:
- GDPR fundamentals and obligations in day-to-day business operations
- IT security law and notification obligations in the event of data breaches
- AI law: Legal requirements under the EU AI Act
- Software licensing law: What is permitted, and what constitutes software piracy?
- Internal compliance policies and their legal significance
- Liability risks for managing directors and senior employees
Financial transactions and IT law – fintech and digital payment systems
Our values
Digital payment systems, fintech platforms and electronic transactions are subject to a complex network of national and European legislation.
Companies operating in this field face complex regulatory requirements — and significant liability risks if mistakes are made.
The most common concerns for companies operating in the field of financial transactions:
- Regulatory requirements: PSD2, the E-Money Directive and the Austrian Payment Services Act (ZaDiG)
- Contractual structures for digital payment processing
- Liability for failed or fraudulent transactions
- General terms and conditions for online shops and payment platforms (legally compliant and GDPR-compliant)
- Crypto-assets and tokens: legal classification and regulatory obligations under the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA)
Advisory process: Following a free initial consultation to assess your needs, Schaunig Law Firm develops a tailored advisory strategy—from contract drafting to ongoing regulatory support.
Your lawyer in 1020 Vienna
Further services offered by our IT lawyers in Vienna
We also provide advice in the following areas of IT law:
- Software agreements: Licence agreements, maintenance and support agreements, and escrow agreements.
- Data protection compliance: GDPR audits, privacy policies and records of processing activities.
- Cybersecurity law: the NIS2 Directive and reporting obligations for security incidents
- E-commerce law: legal notices, general terms and conditions, cancellation policy and distance-selling law
- Domain name law and trademark law in the digital sphere
What to consider when registering a trademark
When applying to register a trademark, it is always important to check whether the desired trademark already exists.
In addition, there are differences depending on whether the trademark application is to be filed nationally, across the EU or internationally:
- National and EU-wide:
The situation here is relatively straightforward. A distinction is made between word marks, figurative marks and combined word and figurative marks. Word marks offer the strongest protection. - International:
This is considerably more complex and costly. The trademark must be registered separately in each country, although centralized filing procedures may be used. This also means that the regulations applicable in each country must be observed. In the United States, for example, many trademark applications are refused.
Our law firm assists you with trademark registrations in Austria, throughout the EU and internationally, and finds the solution that best suits your needs!
Arnulf Schaunig
Your specialized IT law lawyer in Vienna
I am Arnulf Schaunig, a specialist lawyer for IT law. My team and I support you and your company in all IT law matters.
With tailored advice, a clear strategy, robust contracts, and professional representation both in and out of court, we provide comprehensive support.
We see ourselves as your partner and assist you throughout Austria and Europe.
Simply arrange a free initial consultation—we provide honest, transparent and 100% in-house advice and find the best solution for you!
Advantage for existing customers:
Once a year we offer our existing clients a free annual meeting. This appointment lasts approx. 1 hour and takes place in our law firm in the 2nd district. As with the recurring inspection of your vehicle, we check the most important legal areas of your company, find any existing weaknesses and clarify possible optimizations – completely free of charge!