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New pressure, new delays: the EU’s double move on AI
Europe has just introduced two significant developments that will directly affect how companies build, deploy, and oversee AI in 2026. One strengthens reporting. The other reshapes key compliance deadlines. 1. The AI act whistleblower tool is live—and it changes the game The EU’s new AI Act Whistleblower Tool is officially online, allowing any individual professionally connected to an AI model provider to flag risky or unlawful practices linked to general-purpose AI models and certain regulated AI systems. Reports can be submitted anonymously, in any EU language together with supporting documents via a secure inbox that also supports follow-up questions. While the AI Office will maintain strict
Austria’s Crypto Reporting Act: Clear rules and tax transparency for investors
With the new Crypto Reporting Act ("Krypto-Meldepflichtgesetz" – Krypto-MPfG) effective from 1 January 2026, Austria aligns with international standards for transparency and tax compliance in the digital asset space. This reflects the EU’s broader push for harmonised regulation under DAC8 (the eighth amendment to the Directive on Administrative Cooperation in Direct Taxation, which mandates the automatic exchange of information on crypto-asset transactions between the Member States), the OECD’s Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework ("CARF"), and the EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation ("MiCAR"). The new legislation implements international standards and sends a clear message: the regulatory net is tightening
Kinstellar and Strategy Council deliver the 4th Defence Tech Forum in London
In a recent event held at the Royal United Services Institute, Kinstellar and the Strategy Council, working in partnership with the Embassy of Ukraine in the United Kingdom, co-organised the 4th Defence Tech Forum in London, Financing Joint UK-Ukraine DefenceTech Development and Co-production. Following opening remarks by Stephen Butler, Managing Director of Strategy Council, Daniel Bilak, Partner at Kinstellar Ukraine, framed the event’s two-fold purpose: first, to highlight the significant step-change in UK-Ukraine private sector defence cooperation over the past year under the UK-Ukraine 100-year partnership; second and equally important, to present the investment potential of Ukraine’s defence-tech sector to
Kinstellar advises DAX-listed GEA on Romanian legal aspects of joint venture with RebelDot
Kinstellar, in cooperation with Noerr as lead counsel, has advised GEA Group, a DAX-listed company and one of the world’s largest suppliers of systems for the food, beverage, and pharmaceutical industries, on the Romanian law aspects of its joint venture with RebelDot, a leading Romanian technology company based in Cluj-Napoca. GEA operates in over 150 countries and provides cutting-edge solutions through its industrial cloud platform, GEA Cloud®. The company is listed on the DAX and the STOXX® Europe 600 Index. RebelDot, headquartered in Cluj-Napoca, is a fast-growing technology firm specializing in delivering innovative software solutions, including web, mobile, and AI services, primarily to industrial
ISS & Glass Lewis – The end of standardised proxy voting recommendations?
For years, proxy advisors Institutional Shareholder Services (“ISS”) and Glass Lewis & Co. (“Glass Lewis”) have shaped voting behaviour at annual general meetings (“AGMs”) of publicly listed companies, including in Austria, through their uniform “benchmark” voting recommendations. This approach, it appears, will soon be history. What’s new Beginning in 2027, Glass Lewis will discontinue its long-standing practice of issuing single, default “benchmark” voting recommendations and instead collaborate with institutional clients to create fully customised voting policies supported by company-specific research reports ahead of AGMs. Glass Lewis aims to have all clients transitioned
Kinstellar advises on landmark acquisition of ČSA and Smartwings by Pegasus Airlines
Kinstellar, in collaboration with Addleshaw Goddard, is proud to have advised on the landmark acquisition of Czech Airlines (ČSA) and Smartwings by low-cost carrier Pegasus Airlines for EUR 154 million (CZK 3.8 billion). This significant transaction, which includes the entire share capital of Smartwings Group and its liabilities, is expected to close by 2026, pending regulatory approval. Both Smartwings and Pegasus will continue to operate under their respective brands as they focus on growth, safety, and enhancing customer experience. Led by Jan Juroška (Partner) and Michal Kníž (Managing Associate), the team included Iva Bilinská (Managing Associate), Zuzana Konečná, Arťom Gnědin, Pavel Hrdý
Alternative distribution models in the automotive sector: Consumer protections and liabilities
Alternative distribution models based on direct sales to consumers can be carried out with the varied involvement of traditional dealers. This means, among other things, producers taking on a significant number of consumer law obligations previously borne by dealers. In any event, the actual liability of producers in relation to direct sales depends on the respective contractual terms between manufacturers and agents. For example, in Austria, the differing contractual terms between a producer and agent, and an agent and customer, can lead to the following scenarios: a) a commercial agent selling vehicles in the name of the manufacturer while the manufacturer as the seller remains fully liable in terms of contractual
Kinstellar supports young Czech video game start-ups at Prague Game Accelerator programme
Kinstellar has recently provided legal mentoring to ten video game start-ups as part of the Prague Game Accelerator, the first-ever Czech accelerator dedicated to young game developers. The program is organized under the auspices of the Prague Innovation Institute and the City of Prague. Over twelve weeks, ten teams from leading Czech universities completed an intensive program led by Czech and international industry experts. Their projects span a diverse range of genres—from logic puzzle adventures to survival RPGs and educational strategy games. As part of this initiative, Kinstellar delivered comprehensive legal guidance tailored to emerging indie studios, covering key topics such as intellectual property
Guidance on FDI screening obligations in Austria
The Austrian ministry responsible for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) matters, the Federal Ministry for Economy, Energy, and Tourism (“the Ministry”), recently released guidance on the assessment of the filing obligation for foreign direct investments in Austria. In particular, it provided clarification on the scope of critical infrastructure and offered information regarding the acquisition of key assets, controlling influence, as well as the micro-enterprise exemption. In general, Austrian FDI rules apply to foreign direct investments into Austria by non-EU, non-EEA, and non-Swiss persons or undertakings. The Austrian FDI regime applies when such persons or entities acquire an Austrian undertaking, obtain 10%
NIS2 and the New Serbian Law on Information Security
The Republic of Serbia has adopted a new Law on Information Security (Zakon o informacionoj bezbednosti) (“Serbian NIS2”), marking a significant reform of the national cybersecurity framework and alignment with the EU NIS2 Directive. The Serbian NIS2 broadens the range of regulated entities, strengthens institutional coordination, and introduces clearer obligations for organisations operating ICT systems of special importance. Secondary legislation is expected in 2025–2026, and the previous law remains partially applicable until the end of 2025 to secure continuity during the transition period. This article provides an overview of the key novelties introduced by the Serbian NIS2, together with an outline of the
Romania’s defence sector outlook – Overview of strategic, legal and financial developments
Romania is entering a new phase in the development of its defence and security sector. In this brochure, we provide an overview of the current strategic, legal, and financial developments driving Romania’s defence transformation, including insights into the National Defence Strategy for 2025–2030, the Security Action for Europe (SAFE) program, and key legislative updates such as Government Emergency Ordinance No. 62/2025. It also highlights key aspects of Romania’s defence procurement processes, industrial cooperation and opportunities for modernisation through innovation and investment, providing a clear picture of the country’s evolving defence landscape. Click on the image below or use this link to
A sector under the spotlight: what recent cases in Romania and at the EU level signal for pharma compliance
Competition and regulatory authorities across Europe are showing renewed vigilance toward the pharmaceutical sector—a field shaped by the intersection of competition law, regulatory frameworks, consumer protection, and IP. Recent cases illustrate that investigations in this area are increasingly complex and precedent driven, offering valuable guidance on how authorities assess commercial behaviour. Sun Wave Pharma case – the Romanian Competition Council unveils unfair competition practices In May 2025, the Romanian Competition Council (“RCC”) announced the conclusion of its investigation into Sun Wave Pharma S.R.L., a major player in the food supplements market in Romania. The inquiry focused on allegations