WH Simion & Partners

26/05/2026

➡️ Go to article: https://whpartners.eu/news/second-cjeu-ruling-in-the-pelham-case-defines-the-notion-of-pastiche/

🖋️ Authors: Cătălin Velișcu, Silvana Tihon

Starting with a song produced in 1997, and a legal dispute debuting in 2004, the Pelham saga is a case originating from the German courts which brought to light the interaction between the concept of sampling and copyright.

As a technique, sampling involves taking a segment of an existing audio recording and repurposing it in a new composition. From a copyright perspective, such a practice would ordinarily qualify as infringement due to the unauthorised reproduction of protected material. Yet, as the Pelham case illustrates, certain exceptions may legitimately authorise such use.

06/05/2026

📸 Highlights from the IMGL Spring Conference 2026

Last week, Cosmina Maria Simion, Managing Partner at WH Simion & Partners, took part in the IMGL Spring Conference 2026 held in Washington, D.C.

Cosmina led a panel discussion on “IP, Advertising and Platform Liability in iGaming”, bringing together international practitioners to unpack the evolving legal landscape. The conversation focused on how operators and platforms can navigate tightening advertising rules, manage third-party risks, and address compliance challenges across multiple jurisdictions, while also reflecting on recent enforcement activity and practical approaches adopted in the industry.

James Scicluna, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at WH Partners, also attended the conference.

28/04/2026

📸 Highlights from the AIJA Seminar in Florence

How can technology meaningfully reduce fraud in healthcare systems? This was a key question explored last week in Florence at the AIJA seminar From Code to Care: Combating Business Crime in Today’s Innovative and Traditional Healthcare Sector.

Petruș Partene, Managing Associate at WH Simion & Partners, contributed to the discussion during the session “The Role of Technology in Preventing Healthcare Fraud” on Friday, 24 April. His intervention examined how technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, and machine learning are increasingly being applied to detect and reduce fraudulent activity, including billing discrepancies and identity fraud. The discussion also highlighted the expanding use of data analytics in improving the accuracy and efficiency of fraud detection within healthcare systems.

Patrick Massa, Managing Associate at WH Partners, also attended the seminar.

24/04/2026

Cosmina Maria Simion, Managing Partner at WH Simion & Partners, will speak at the IMGL Spring Conference 2026, taking place from 29 April to 1 May 2026.

On 30th April, Cosmina will moderate the panel titled '𝘐𝘗, 𝘈𝘥𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘗𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮 𝘓𝘪𝘢𝘣𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘪𝘯 𝘪𝘎𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨', alongside legal professionals from Spain, Switzerland, Canada and the United States. The discussion will address key issues including advertising restrictions, affiliate structures, platform liability for third-party content, and the challenges of cross-border marketing compliance. It will also examine recent enforcement actions and highlight best practices.

➡️ More information here: https://whpartners.eu/news/cosmina-simion-to-moderate-ip-panel-at-imgl-2026-spring-conference/

23/04/2026

Petruș Partene, Managing Associate at WH Simion & Partners, will be speaking at From Code to Care: Combating Business Crime in Today’s Innovative and Traditional Healthcare Sector, a seminar hosted by AIJA and taking place from 23–25 April in Florence.

On Friday, 24 April, Petrus will contribute to the session 'The Role of Technology in Preventing Healthcare Fraud', discussing how emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, and machine learning are being leveraged to detect and prevent fraudulent activities, including billing fraud and identity theft. The session will also examine how data analytics can enhance the accuracy and efficiency of fraud detection systems within healthcare.

Patrick Massa, Managing Associate at WH Partners, will also be attending the seminar.

➡️ More information here: https://whpartners.eu/news/petrus-partene-to-speak-at-aija-healthcare-sector-seminar/

10/04/2026

➡️ Go to article: https://whpartners.eu/news/one-man-controller-the-responsibility-of-individuals-under-the-gdpr/
🖋️ Authors: Petruș Partene, Catalin Veliscu

In a recent sanctioning decision, the Romanian Data Protection Authority (“ANSPDCP”) applied multiple administrative fines to a natural person, amounting to a total of EUR 10,000.

While the total sum exceeds the standard level of fines generally applied by ANSPDCP, it maybe considered a rather surprising amount for a natural person. Moreover, the facts of the case themselves are particularly noteworthy.

ANSDPCP investigated the situation after having received two complaints about personal data being published on a website which was, in essence, dedicated to exposing scammers.

27/03/2026

We’re proud to be recognised by Legal 500 as a Tier 1 firm in TMT: Gambling Law and to see our efforts in Intellectual Property acknowledged within the rankings, highlighting the breadth of our expertise across highly dynamic and innovation-driven sectors.

A special mention goes to Cosmina Maria Simion, recognised as a Leading Partner under TMT: Gambling Law and recommended within the Intellectual Property rankings, who is particularly noted for her "𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯, 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘳𝘦𝘨𝘶𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺 𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵", Alina Tace, featured as a Next Generation Lawyer in both areas and described as "𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘬𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘺 𝘥𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦", and Petruș Partene, now featured as a Leading Associate within TMT: Gambling Law, described as "𝘢𝘯 𝘦𝘹𝘤𝘦𝘱𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘨𝘪𝘴𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘶𝘯𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘥 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸𝘭𝘦𝘥𝘨𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘰𝘳."

Congratulations to our wider TMT, Gaming, and IP team on this recognition and for their "𝘥𝘦𝘦𝘱 𝘭𝘦𝘨𝘢𝘭 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘴𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘢 𝘱𝘳𝘢𝘨𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘤, 𝘤𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘵-𝘧𝘰𝘤𝘶𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘴𝘦𝘵."

26/03/2026

23/03/2026

Due to continued growth, we are looking to recruit an 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐋𝐚𝐰𝐲𝐞𝐫 to join our team, providing legal services across regulatory, licensing, corporate, and commercial matters.

In this role, you will be:
🔶Providing legal and business advisory services to clients, ensuring their best interests are met in line with the Firm’s high standards of practice
🔶Acting as a key contributor within the Firm’s Practice Group by sharing knowledge and experience, particularly in areas of gaming and gambling, corporate and commercial law, with the Firm’s partners and employees
🔶Drafting, reviewing and negotiating commercial contracts including supplier contract, service level agreements, white-label agreements, intellectual property and software licensing agreements, and other sector specific work
🔶Offering advisory services and support related to licensing obligations, ongoing compliance and regulatory requirements within the Gaming and Gambling industry, and other regulated industries
🔶Liaising with local and international regulatory authorities on behalf of clients
🔶Monitoring developments in Romanian and EU law and advising clients accordingly of any relevant changes
🔶Contributing to the development of the Firm’s expertise and reputation in gaming and gambling related legal areas, while supporting business development efforts
🔶Promoting a collaborative, team-oriented environment in line with the Firm’s core values

Requirements:
🔶A Degree in Law
🔶A valid warrant to practice law in Romania
🔶A minimum of two years’ experience
🔶Excellent written and spoken communication skills in both Romanian and English
🔶The ability to manage multiple tasks, work independently, and meet tight deadlines effectively

What we offer:
🔶Private health benefits
🔶Hybrid working
🔶Continuous training & development
🔶Attractive remuneration package

Join a fast-growing, highly respected firm and take the next step in your legal career.

Apply now – send us your CV at [email protected]

17/03/2026

➡️ Go to article: https://whpartners.eu/news/navigating-the-balance-between-player-rights-and-operator-protection/
This article was first published in Casino Inside magazine.
🖋️ Authors: Cosmina Maria Simion, Petruș Partene

The gaming industry sits at the intersection between a consumer base that generates large quantities of personal data, and an increasingly sophisticated regulatory framework that empowers individuals to demand access to that data.

Data Subject Access Requests (commonly referred to as DSARs) have, since the introduction of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in 2018, become one of the most utilised tools in the data subject rights toolkit. For operators in the gaming sector, whether in online casino, sports betting, or broader interactive entertainment, DSARs represent both a legal obligation and, increasingly, an operational challenge.