Christoph advises national and international clients on a broad range of regulatory questions and has particular industry-specific experience in the areas of technology, media, and telecommunication.

His practice focuses on three key regulated industries, where he advises clients regarding all aspects of their compliance with industry-specific EU and national legislation. Firstly, Christoph advises companies that operate any kind of online platform, including social networks, online marketplaces, media platforms, or video-sharing services. Secondly, he advises clients that provide any kind of communications service, particularly focusing on web-based or OTT services. Thirdly, Christoph advises operators of audiovisual services, regardless of whether they broadcast their content linearly or operate on-demand services.

Christoph’s regulatory experience spans areas such as hate speech, online gambling, protection of minors, access to media platforms, broadcasting licenses, or cooperation with law enforcement authorities. In addition to advising clients on their compliance with existing laws, Christoph also has particular public policy experience. He helps his clients in assessing the potential business impact of upcoming laws and regulations, as well as with their strategic internal and external positioning towards such initiatives. Christoph also assists his clients in commercial transactions or corporate transactions where relevant regulatory questions may be of particular relevance.

Furthermore, Christoph also advises clients on regulatory questions regarding the rollout of new technology products to markets in the EU, be it home entertainment products that have to comply with European eco-design laws or connected car equipment that may require type approval under road vehicle regulations.

Christoph is counsel at Morrison Foerster's German office in Berlin and a member of the Litigation practice group.

Representative Experience

• Ongoing advice for an international video-sharing platform regarding all regulatory aspects of operations in the EU, including hate speech initiatives, youth protection, media intermediary regulation, and online gambling laws.
• Ongoing advice to a major German broadband network operator regarding all regulatory aspects of content distribution, including cable carriage agreements and related civil and administrative legislation.
• Ongoing advice to an international technology company regarding the compliance of its web-based communications services with EU telecoms regulation.
• Ongoing advice to several international media companies regarding their compliance with revised German rules governing media platforms distributing audiovisual content and their user interfaces.
• Advice to UK-based providers of broadcasting and video-on-demand services regarding the impact of Brexit on their services, including representation vis-à-vis the German media authorities in broadcasting licensing procedures.
• Advised an international e-mobility company regarding regulatory and commercial aspects of the rollout of its vehicle sharing service to the German market.
• Represented Axel Springer in its dispute with the German media authorities regarding the application of the German broadcasting license regime to the distribution of its web-based audiovisual formats.
• Advice to a global video game developer regarding the inclusion of loot boxes in video games under gambling and consumer protection aspects.
• Advice to Tele Columbus regarding all regulatory aspects and commercial negotiations with content and technology partners in the context of the launch of a new audiovisual platform.
• Advised a major German mobile phone service provider in regards to regulatory and consumer protection efforts regarding the implementation of the EU’s “roam-like-at-home” framework.
• Coordinated several multijurisdictional reviews of applicable regulatory regimes regarding the international rollout of new communications services based on a network of international MoFo offices and local counsel.
• Advised several international technology companies regarding the EU rollout of connected car products or features, e.g., regarding infotainment features, telematics devices, or remote control solutions.
• Advised an international media platform provider regarding compliance of its end-user devices with EU eco-design regulation.

Secondments

• Secondment with the German public policy team of a global e-commerce and technology company, focusing on the internal and external positioning regarding ongoing German regulatory legislative initiatives.
• Secondment with the European legal team of a global e-commerce and technology company, supporting the impact assessment regarding future EU legislation governing the use of emerging digital technologies.
• Secondment with the legal team of a leading German cable network operator, supporting product and engineering teams with regulatory advice regarding new legislation and content marketing teams with contracts advice regarding cable carriage.