Tiago Bessa
Head of Practice Partner Information, Communication & Technology, Partner IP Transactions
Tiago Bessa
Tiago Bessa joined VdA in 2007. He is the Head Partner of the Information, Communication & Technology practice, and Partner in the IP Transactions practice area. He has worked on numerous matters and transactions in different industries, such as Electronic Communications, Postal Communications, Media, Entertainment and Gaming, and Technologies. He is also active in other cross-cutting areas, such as Copyright, Internet Law and Consumer Law.
Regarding media and electronic commerce, he has been actively involved in several projects concerning the launching of new products, namely OTT services, in-car Wi-Fi services and Wi-Fi in public transports. In addition, he has been advising clients in media regulatory issues and has been highly active in the last years in the gambling sector as well. Tiago has been involved in different matters regarding the clearance of copyright and neighbouring rights, payment of compensation for private copying in Portugal.
Tiago has in-depth knowledge and experience with innovative technological projects in the electronic communications industry and across several jurisdictions and regions, notably Europe and Africa. He has also assisted Governments and Regulatory Entities in connection with the definition of regulatory policies and legislative drafting, having also advised various international organizations such as International Telecommunications Union, the World Bank and the European Investment Bank.
Tiago is VdA’s representative in the project WhatNext.Law, an R&D Center aimed at assisting organisations to take full advantage of the opportunities brought by the digital transition.
Lawyer of the year E-Sports - IP&TMT Awards 2022
Lawyer of the year E-Sports - IP & TMT Awards 2021
Law Degree – University of Lisbon, Faculty of Law.
Post-graduation in Competition Law and Regulation – University of Lisbon, Faculty of Law (2006/2007).
Advanced Programme on Law and Economics of Regulation – Catholic University of Portugal, School of Economics and Business Administration (2007/2008).
Master Degree in Business Law – University of Lisbon, Faculty of Law (2014) with the thesis “The Private Copying of Works Protected by Copyright”.
Before joining the firm, he worked as an associate at Macedo Vitorino & Associados.
Author and co-author of various articles and works namely:
- “The Intersections between the Digital Services Regulation and the Artificial Intelligence Regulation”, in AI Act - The New European Artificial Intelligence Regulation, Almedina, 2025
- “The scope of the Digital Services Regulation” article published in Revista de Direito Intelectual, no. 2 of 2024, Portuguese Intellectual Property Law Association, 2024
- “Legal Challenges of Extended Reality Technologies” article for the Portugal XR Report 2024
- “Challenges for the Electronic Communications Sector in 2024”, article published in the magazine of the International Association of Portuguese Expression Communications (AICEP), 2024
- “Artificial Intelligence and Copyright”, in Revista Diurna, 2024
- The EU Digital services act and its implications in Portugal, in Lexology, 2024
- Desafios do Setor das Comunicações Eletrónicas em 2024, in Revista da Associação Internacional das Comunicações de Expressão Portuguesa (AICEP), 2024
- Uma Nova Vida para o Direito de Autor ou Uma Oportunidade Perdida?, in Advocatus, 2023
- The new European Resolution on esports and video games: a new approach to the sector?, in Lexology, 2022
- A Look at the Future: the Growth of Telecoms Arbitrations in Africa, in Global Arbitration Review, 2022
- The new Portuguese electronic communications law has been approved and a new wave of regulation has just began, in Lexology, 2022
- Do 5G ao 6G: a tecnologia ao serviço das cidades do futuro, in WhatNext.Law, 2022
- New Rules in Portugal for Removing and Preventing Access to Copyrighted Content in the Digital Environment, in Lexology, 2022
- Winter Is Coming Portuguese Telecoms Market In 2021, in Iberian Lawyer, 2021
- Portuguese Government Approves 13-Point Strategy for 5G, in Lexology, 2020
- Anacom approves regulation for 5g auction, in Lexology, 2020
- European Commission presents two proposals for regulations - the digital services act & the digital Markets Act, in Lexology, 2020
- Information, communication and technology-P2B regulation, in Lexology, 2020
- EECC Transposition - Portuguese Regulator ANACOM Publishes Draft, in Lexology, 2020
- “The apple doesn't fall far from the tree”, in The Lawyer, 2020
- “Regulação das Comunicações Eletrónicas”, in Garantia de Direitos e Regulação: Perspectivas de Direito Administrativo, AAFDL, 2020
- “What to Expect from Portugal‘s Review of Online Gaming Regulations”, in EGR Global, 2018
- “As Novas Regras sobre Neutralidade de Rede e Gestão de Tráfego na Internet”, in Estudos de Advocacia em Homenagem a Vasco Vieira de Almeida, Almedina, 2017
- "TMT Portugal – Law & Practice, in Chambers Global Practice Guides, 2015
- O Novo Regime Jurídico dos Jogos e Apostas Online”, in Revista Advocatus, 2015
- "Ensaio sobre a Cópia Privada de Obras Protegidas por Direito de Autor”, Tese de Mestrado Científico, Biblioteca da Faculdade de Direito da Universidade de Lisboa, 2014
- "Direito Contratual de Autor e Licenças (Voluntárias) de Exploração da Obra", in Revista da Ordem dos Advogados, Ano 72, IV, Out. - Dez 2012
- "Crise, Regulação e Supervisão de Hedge Funds", in Revista de Direito das Sociedades, Ano II (2010), n.ºs 3/4, Almedina, 2010
- "O Esgotamento do Direito de Patente e do Direito de Marca", Relatório de Estágio de Mestrado, Biblioteca da Faculdade de Direito da Universidade de Lisboa, 2010
- "Introdução ao Private Enforcement do Direito da Concorrência: subsídios para a sua compreensão e reforço em Portugal", Relatório de Estágio de Mestrado, Biblioteca da Faculdade de Direito da Universidade de Lisboa, 2010
- "Lei dos Serviços Públicos Essenciais. Uma Análise Crítica", in Revista Comunicações, APDC, Abril de 2008
Admitted to the Portuguese Bar Association.
Officer of the Leisure Industries Section at International Bar Association (IBA).
Portuguese Association for the Development of Communications (APDC).
Portuguese Association of Intellectual Property (APDI).
English, Spanish.
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Chambers Europe
TMT - Band 1
Band 4 -
Legal 500
Portugal | TMT - Tier 1
Next Generation Partner
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Legal 500
Portugal | TMT - Tier 1
Key Lawyer
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Legal 500
Portugal | TMT - Tier 1
Key Lawyer
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IFLR 1000
Other highlights (31st Edition) -
"Knowledgeable, reasonable, has excellent relationship with colleagues and is calm." -
Legal 500
Portugal | TMT - Tier 1
Recommended"Tiago Bessa stands out as a professional combining a deep knowledge of the postal services and communications market with a solid academic background, providing solid advice and creative solutions. He delivers documents of an excellent quality revealing a profound legal analysis and attention to detail. He is also extremely accessible and dedicated; (...) Tiago Bessa are both partners with extensive experience and expertise in legal consultancy in the telecoms sector. They have the particularity"
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Legal 500
Portugal | TMT - Tier 1
Recommended Lawyer