Dentons represented Vodafone Hungary and the members of HÉT (Hungary's Info-communications Association) in achieving a victory before the administrative court, in a dispute against EJI-MAHASZ, a collective rights management organization representing record companies and performers. The dispute centered around EJI-MAHASZ’s attempt to increase the tariffs related to direct injection as part of its royalty scheme. Acting on behalf of HÉT, Dentons argued that the increase had no basis in law, citing, among other things, the CJEU’s precedent in the Atresmedia case in 2020. The court ruled in favor of HÉT and Vodafone Hungary, annulling the tariffs and sending the matter back to the Ministry of Justice in order to reconvene the approval process for the proposed new tariffs. The case marks a significant turning point in the development of collective management rights in Hungary.

HET is an industrial association which represents the interests of the companies operating in Hungary’s telecommunications market such as: Antenna Hungaria, Vodafone HU, UPC, Telenor, Antenna Hungária, Invitel Digi, Deutsche Telekom HU, etc.

Relying on the combined regulatory and technical experience of the Technology, Media and Telecommunications (TMT) and Litigation and Dispute Resolution teams in Budapest, Dentons successfully represented HÉT and Vodafone Hungary in this unique and complex case. The team’s deep knowledge of copyrights and tariffs were critical to securing the victory.

TMT Partner Tímea Bana led the Dentons legal team which advised HÉT and Vodafone Hungary on the landmark copyright case. She was supported by associates Mihály Czesznak and Mark Fabacsovics.

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