Your Italian IP & Tech Desk.
Serena Mattei, an Italian lawyer admitted to the Special Register of Supreme Court advocates, supports businesses and international law firms on matters involving the Italian and European markets. Her boutique model prioritises direct contact, personal attention and assistance proportionate to each client’s needs.
Alongside her legal practice, she serves as a Lecturer and Tutor for the Italian Trade Agency (ITA – Agenzia ICE), working with companies on international IP strategies and regulatory compliance. Her collaboration with Ascheri Group in the United Kingdom extends the discussion to cross-border business needs.
01
EU compliance and market access
Supporting software companies and technology businesses entering the Italian and European markets, identifying applicable obligations and risks to address.
- AI, data and emerging technologies Advice on the AI Act, GDPR and data protection, copyright, consumer protection and open-source licensing compliance, with a focus on SaaS platforms and software developers.
- Software copyright and IP auditing Review of source-code ownership and due diligence on the chain of rights, including contributions by employees, freelancers and overseas contractors, to identify issues before market entry.
02
Contracts and strategic advice
Protecting the value of software through agreements designed around the project, its commercial relationships and the Italian and European legal context.
- Software licensing and services Drafting and localisation of EULAs, licensing agreements, Service Level Agreements (SLAs), and maintenance and support contracts.
- Development, integration and cloud Structuring relationships between software companies, end customers and Italian subcontractors for software, app and cloud architecture development and integration.
- Confidentiality and NDAs Non-disclosure agreements tailored to the information being protected and to relationships governed by Italian and European law.
- Localisation and distribution Commercial distribution, agency and merchandising agreements to support products and content in their target markets.
- Source-code escrow Negotiating agreements for the deposit of source code with independent escrow providers to support continuity in complex software projects.
03
Litigation and enforcement
Representation in intellectual property and contractual disputes before Italian courts, including the specialised divisions.
- Software piracy and IP enforcement Assessment and pursuit of interim and evidence-preservation measures, including Italian descrizione orders, seizures, injunctions and preventive technical assessments in cases of unauthorised software copying or use.
- Breach of contract and unauthorised use Assistance with unpaid licence fees, breaches of non-disclosure agreements and software use beyond the agreed contractual scope.
- Source code, trade secrets and know-how Representation in disputes concerning code plagiarism, misappropriation of trade secrets and know-how theft, including matters involving employees and contractors.
- Mediation and arbitration Assessment and handling of alternatives to court proceedings, taking account of the technical complexity, time and costs of the dispute.
04
Gaming and digital entertainment
Dedicated support for the intellectual property and contractual matters that accompany the development, distribution and commercialisation of video games.
- Software and content protection Review of copyright and intellectual property issues affecting gaming software in the Italian and European context.
- Video-game trade marks Advice and assistance with trade mark registrations before the Italian Patent and Trade Mark Office (UIBM) and, where required, EUIPO.
- Hardware and patents Assistance with legal issues relating to the protection of gaming hardware and the assessment of patentability requirements.
- Licensing and digital distribution Drafting and negotiation of agreements for software and content use and distribution, including digital and streaming platforms.
- Contentious and non-contentious protection Assistance in handling claims and protecting rights, assessing the most suitable approach for the circumstances.
Why work with the firm
- Direct senior-level contact International firms and businesses communicate directly with the lawyer responsible for the matter, maintaining an ongoing dialogue about key decisions.
- The flexibility of a boutique An agile organisation, with conflict checks before accepting instructions and attention to the specific requirements of each project.
- Clear and proportionate fees Transparent definition of the scope of work and fees, with flexible arrangements for startups and growing SMEs.
- Lecturing and tutoring for ITA – Agenzia ICE Teaching and mentoring companies brings practical experience of internationalisation, intellectual property and regulatory compliance into the legal practice.
- A practical business perspective Legal choices are considered alongside the needs of those developing a product, entering a new market or building a commercial relationship.
- An international network, a direct relationship Collaboration with Ascheri Group enables discussion of cross-border corporate and tax issues, including matters relating to royalty flows.