Georgi Kanev is a Managing Associate in the Sofia office, the co-head of the firm-wide IP&T service line and the head of the local IP&T and Data Privacy practice.

Georgi focuses on the technology, media and telecommunications (TMT) sector, including interactive entertainment and gaming, as well as on commercial and consumer law. He specializes and is extensively involved in IP, technology, digital regulation, e-commerce, advertising and data privacy matters.

Georgi Kanev’s deep understanding of the TMT sector, coupled with his responsiveness and result-oriented approach, are at the core of his exceptional legal services. We greatly appreciate his ability to deliver creative solutions in a timely manner. His professionalism and ethical standards are inspiring and set a very positive example.

My main contact in the TMT team is Georgi Kanev. He is very inventive and motivated to find the best solutions for the client. Georgi has an outstanding level of knowledge of data protection. I highly value his appreciation of the commercial aspects of the deal and his attention to detail.

Legal 500, 2024

RECENT ENGAGEMENTS INCLUDE ADVISING

IP&T

• KBC GROUP on the master transitional services agreements for IT services and infrastructure in relation to the EUR 1,009 million acquisition of Raiffeisenbank Bulgaria from Raiffeisen Bank International
• CHAOS GROUP on a complex cross-border IP licencing transaction in relation to the acquisition of ownership of IP rights over various copyrighted works specific for the client’s business
• KASTA CCHS, the native, ERC-20 token of Ka.app, on the registration of a few European Union Trade Marks (EUTMs) with the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), including assistance with the securing of a grant offered by the SME Fund of the EUIPO and general advice on trade marks protection and maintenance

Data & Cybersecurity

• THERMO FISHER SCIENTIFIC on a complex regional GDPR implementation project in six of its sites across Europe (Switzerland, France, Germany and the Czech Republic), including a GDPR training programme implemented by the company’s managers
• AN AMERICAN MULTINATIONAL TECHNOLOGY COMPANY on the launch of a Smart TV Service in several EU and non-EU jurisdictions, including Bulgaria
• A VIRTUAL PET COMMUNITY PLATFORM on the consequences of a data breach that had the potential to compromise the data of over 69 million accounts around the world
• INTERNATIONAL PAYMENT SERVICES COMPANY on the implementation of a web-based B2B content management application across CEE, including compliance with data privacy laws and other regulatory matters

M&A and Corporate

• KIN + CARTA, a global digital transformation consultancy listed on the London Stock Exchange, on the acquisition of Melon Group, a Bulgarian digital transformation consulting firm, for £23.5 million.
• HLD-BACKED 52 ENTERTAINMENT, a worldwide leader in bridge online (BBO, Funbridge) and e-sailing (Virtual Regatta), on its expansion into strategy and mind games by the acquisition of Casualino (also known as Zariba Group), the largest independent gaming studio in Bulgaria
• UKG, an American multinational company for HR and workforce management solutions, on the acquisition of Immedis, a global payroll company offering cloud-based payroll platform headquartered in Ireland with significant operations in Bulgaria
• LC INTERACTIVE, a UK online media company, on the acquisition one of Europe’s leading platforms for online gambling, sports betting and affiliate marketing (oddspedia.com), from the iGaming company iRocket

EDUCATION

• 2017: CopyrightX: ILAC 2017, US Copyright Law course under the auspices of Harvard University
• 2011: University St. Kliment Ohridski, Sofia, Bulgaria, Faculty of Law, LL.M.

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATION

• Sofia Bar Association
• Patent Office of the Republic of Bulgaria, Trade Marks, Geographical Indications and Industrial Designs representative
• European Union Intellectual Property Office, Trade Marks and Designs professional representative

LANGUAGES

Bulgarian, English

PUBLICATIONS

• Impact of Intellectual Property on M&A Transactions in Bulgaria and Beyond, The Recursive, February 2023
• The future of VR and AR technologies depends on their regulation (in Bulgarian), CIO magazine, 2020