Hungary and the European Union have adopted the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Performances and Phonograms Treaty. Hungary ratified the Treaty on 27 November 1998, with its provisions coming into force on 20 May 2002. Subsequently, the European Union ratified the Treaty on 14 December 2009, and it entered into effect on 14 March 2010.

The Directive 2016/943 on the protection of undisclosed know-how and business information (trade secrets) is key in harmonising national laws concerning trade secrets. Hungary transposed the Directive through Act LIV of 2018 on the protection of trade secrets.

It is reported that passive sharing is mandated and is effective in both the mobile (based on commercial agreements) and fixed sectors. Pursuant to Art. 90 of Act C of 2003 on Electronic Communications, service providers that hold ownership or usage rights over an electronic communications facility are required to enter into contracts to ensure the shared use of network elements and related facilities. The obligation specifically covers ownership and access to structures, internal wiring, support columns, antennas, towers and other supporting constructions, substructures, cable ducts, inspection chambers, and cabinets. However, it does not extend to parts of the structure that are open to customer traffic and serve that particular function.
In addition, Directive 2014/61/EU (Art. 3.2) establishes that Member States shall ensure that, upon written request of an undertaking providing or authorised to provide public communications networks, any network operator must meet all reasonable requests for access to its physical infrastructure under fair and reasonable terms and conditions, including price, with a view to deploying elements of high-speed electronic communications networks. Such written request shall specify the elements of the project for which the access is requested, including a specific time frame.

The Hungarian Government holds shares in certain telecommunications companies. Historically, the State has held shares in Antenna Hungária Zrt., which, as of 2024, is owned by 4iG Plc. (78.76%) and the Hungarian State (23.22%). Furthermore, in January 2023, Antenna Hungária Zrt, together with Corvinus International Investment Zrt. (representing the Hungarian State) and Vodafone Europe B.V., signed a binding agreement for the acquisition of 100% of the shares in Vodafone Magyarország Zrt. (‘Vodafone Hungary’). Following the financial closing, Antenna Hungária Zrt. acquired an indirect controlling stake of 51%, while the Hungarian State retained an indirect stake of 49%.

It is reported that Hungary does not mandate functional separation for operators with significant market power (SMP) in the telecom market. However, accounting separation is required by law. According to Sections 68 and 105 of Act C of 2003 on Electronic Communications, the National Media and Communications Authority (NMHH) may, by decision, impose detailed obligations of accounting separation in relation to specific activities concerning interconnection or access for service providers with significant market power in wholesale service markets. A service provider subject to accounting separation obligations is required to submit an accounting separation statement, prepared in accordance with the requirements set out in this Act, the NMHH Decree on the detailed rules for keeping separate accounting records, and the President’s resolution. This statement must be submitted to the President for approval within 45 days of the adoption of the annual report pursuant to the Accounting Act.

The National Media and Infocommunications Authority (NMHH), established under Art. 10 of Act C of 2003 on Electronic Communications, serves as the competent executive authority for the supervision and regulation of telecommunications services in Hungary. The NMHH operates as an independent regulatory body, formally separated from direct government influence in its decision-making processes.

Section 3 of "Act L of 2013 on the Information Security of State and Municipal Bodies" imposes local processing requirements on state and local government entities as well as organisations providing essential services. Under this provision, data within the scope of the Act must be processed in electronic information systems that are operated and stored in Hungary. Exceptions are narrowly defined: data may be processed outside Hungary only within the territory of an EEA State and only where the supervisory authority for the security of electronic information systems grants approval or an applicable international treaty provides for such processing. For entities delivering services classified as critical, such as those in the energy, transport, agriculture and healthcare sectors, electronic information systems may only be hosted within EU Member States.
The Cybersecurity Act adopted in December 2024 repeals Act L of 2013 with effect from 1 January 2025.

Hungary is a party to the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT).

There is no general principle for the use of copyright-protected material comparable to the fair use/fair dealing principles. Directive 2001/29/EC defines an optional but exhaustive set of limitations from the author´s exclusive rights under the control of the “three-step test” in line with the Berne Convention that establishes three cumulative conditions to the limitations and exceptions of a copyright holder’s rights. The Directive has been transposed by Member States with significant freedom.
Chapter 4 of the Act LXXVI of 1999 establishes copyright exemptions, including a right of citation, the right of use for educational purposes, private use and news reporting.

It is reported that internet piracy in Hungary is a significant issue. Stakeholders have noted that the Hungarian government should allocate sufficient resources to its law enforcement authorities to effectively combat intellectual property rights violations, particularly those occurring online.

Hungary and the European Union have adopted the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Copyright Treaty. Hungary ratified the Treaty on 27 November 1998, with its provisions coming into force on 6 March 2002. Subsequently, the European Union ratified the Treaty on 14 December 2009, and it entered into effect on 14 March 2010.

Under Art. 62. k of the Act CLXLIII on Public Procurement, foreign firms are excluded from government procurement if they are registered in a country that is neither an EU member nor a member of the WTO Government Procurement Agreement nor if they are registered in a country that has no double taxation treaty with Hungary or the EU.

Art. 85 of the Utilities Directive (2014/25/EU) contains provisions allowing contracting public entities to reject foreign goods not covered by any EU international commitments from its tender procedures. In these cases, a tender submitted for the award of a supply contract may be rejected where the proportion of the products originating in third countries exceeds 50% of the total value of the products constituting the tender (Art. 85.2). Additionally, in cases of equivalent offers, the provisions provide for a preference for European tenders and tenders covered by EU's international obligations. In practice, this possibility has rarely been used.
In Hungary, the Directive has been transposed with Act CXLIII of 2015 on Public Procurement.