Intellectual property, data and technology

Blogs from our legal experts:

• EDPB guidance following the Schrems II ruling
  The European Court decision in the Schrems II case earlier this year left data controllers with a huge headache as much of the legal structure for transatlantic data transfers was left in limbo. Now the European Data Protection Board has adopted recommendations to help organisations deal with international data transfers.

• Launch of a Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence - the GPAI 
  A joint statement issued on Monday announced the creation of the “GPAI”, a global alliance for the regulation of artificial intelligence (AI). Read more...

• New guidance affecting suppliers to the public sector
  The relationship between public bodies and their suppliers during the pandemic has received close attention from Government. Read more...

• How can we make the online world more competitive? - have your say 
  The EU is currently consulting on major changes to its rules for technology companies. Read more...

• Moving out of lockdown - guidance for labs and research facilities
  The UK Government’s efforts to bring the country out of lock-down in a safe way includes extensive guidance for different kinds of workplace. Read more...

• Exciting Disruptors: Responsible Real Estate 
  Boris Johnson has placed climate change targets at the top of the government’s agenda. The government’s target: to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.  Data suggests that in the UK the operations of buildings account for 30% of the country’s emissions. Read more...

• A new lease of life for No Oral Modification clauses
  A No Oral Modification clause is often included in a commercial contract to prevent informal changes being agreed once the contract is in operation.​ Read more...

• Beware the exchange of emails - another example of a contract being agreed by mistake
  Emails might be seen as informal, but they are just as capable of creating binding agreements as good old-fashioned pen and paper. The Business and Property Court recently reminded us of this in Athena Brands v Superdrug. Read more...

• Signature coloured packaging for medicinal products – valuable or dangerous?
  The names of pharmaceutical products can be confusing for patients. Patients may be taking several different medicines simultaneously, and many come to rely on product recognition in the form of shape and colouring...

• Court order shuts down access to illegal Nintendo Switch kits and software 
  Nintendo takes an active approach to IP protection, using multi-faceted copy-protection technology to secure the platform against unlicensed material. But devices and software allowing players to use pirated games soon appeared on the market...

• The SportsTech Ten: No1 - the Studio Guy
  The SportsTech Ten is Mills & Reeve’s new series of ten question interviews with some of the most important stakeholders and disruptors in the domestic SportsTech ecosystem.

• Improving customer engagement with your Ts and Cs
  It’s a common problem – the information that has to be provided to consumers about data privacy and the contractual terms they are signing up to is long and detailed.

• Europe's new drones regime 
  The EU has overhauled its rules on drone use. The new laws will mean that...

• Music sampling at the law 
  German electronic band Kraftwerk’s 1970s song “Metall auf Metall” might have been consigned to music history, but use of a sample in a 1997 rap release led to a 20-year legal battle.

• Making its mark - Liverpool's challenge 
  Liverpool Football Club (“LFC”) wish to protect their brand – but is seeking to register just the name “LIVERPOOL” as a trade mark. Is this a step too far? 

• Adidas three stripes trade mark is knocked out of court
  Last week brought bad news for sportswear brand Adidas. Its EU-wide Community Trade Mark registration for three parallel stripes was rejected again, this time by the EU General Court...

• UK privacy watchdog notifies multi-million pound fine for data breaches 
  The UK's data privacy regulator, the ICO, has started issuing notices of intention to fine data controllers under the GDPR for data breaches...

• Cybersecurity certification gets an EU revamp 
  A new EU Regulation on cybersecurity promises a more coordinated approach across Europe. The new law will set up a framework for the establishment of European cyber security certification schemes... 

• Promoting cyber security for internet of things devices 
  With expected benefits in terms of reduced latency and much greater capacity, many expect to see a proliferation of Internet of Things (IoT) devices as 5G becomes a reality...