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Thinking - Publication

Regulatory Radar: quick takes May 2025

Published on 12 May 2025. By Gavin Reese, Partner, Head of Regulatory

Welcome to the latest edition of our bi-monthly Regulatory Radar: quick takes update, which collates the latest developments from across the UK’s regulators.

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Thinking - Blog

Thaler v Comptroller [2023] UKSC 49: the UKSC rules that AI cannot be an 'inventor'

Published on 10 Jan 2024.

To the surprise of no one, the UK Supreme Court (UKSC) has finally ruled that an artificial intelligence (AI) cannot be an inventor for the purposes of UK patent law. This judgment accords with the decisions of the lower courts in the UK and the initial ruling of the UKIPO. It also reflects similar findings from most of courts around the world where the claimant, Dr Thaler, brought similar actions.

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Thinking - Blog

Generative AI and intellectual property rights—the UK government's position

Published on 03 May 2023. By Helen Armstrong, Partner and Jani Ihalainen, Associate and Joshy Thomas, Senior Knowledge Lawyer

The IPO is to produce a code of practice by the summer that will provide guidance to support AI firms in accessing copyright protected works as an input to their models.

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Thinking - Blog

'Nosecco' is a no-no, says the High Court

Published on 01 Jul 2020. By Ciara Cullen, Partner, Retail & Consumer Sector Lead and Sarah Mountain, Partner

In recent years, health and wellbeing has been big business in the UK. The COVID-19 outbreak has only further stoked the desire to obtain and maintain healthy minds and bodies and the trend looks set to continue, across the retail sector.

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Thinking - Publication

What if the CEO asks me about… our exposure to packaging fees under EPR?

Published on 01 Apr 2025. By Sophie Tuson, Senior Associate, Environment and Climate Change Practice Lead and Ciara Cullen, Partner, Retail & Consumer Sector Lead and Harpreet Kaur, Associate

The Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging and Packaging Waste) (EPR) Regulations 2024 (EPR Regulations) came into force on 1 January 2025. They will affect most businesses that supply packaging in the UK, particularly brand owners of branded packaged products, and those who import branded products into the UK from overseas.

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Thinking - Publication

What if the CEO asks me about… the EU's Omnibus Directive?

Published on 19 Mar 2025. By Sophie Tuson, Senior Associate, Environment and Climate Change Practice Lead and Rosamund Akayan, Senior Knowledge Lawyer and Connor Cahalane, Partner - Corporate and Thomas Jenkins, Of Counsel and Kelly Thomson, Partner, ESG Strategy Lead

On 26 February 2025, the EU Commission published its proposed Omnibus Directive, aiming to simplify EU rules, boost competitiveness and reduce the perceived regulatory burden on businesses, particularly SMEs. Here, we break down the key takeaways for busy in-house teams and discuss what we can expect next from the EU Parliament and Council.

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Thinking - Publication

The EU Compliance headache you don't know you have? A priority primer on the European Accessibility Act

Published on 31 Oct 2024. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner, Technology, Media & Telecoms Sector Lead and Hettie Homewood , Senior Associate

It is now less than a year until the EU Accessibility Act (EAA) comes into force, which will require businesses to ensure a range of products (eg smartphones and computers) and services (eg e-commerce services, consumer banking services, and ebooks) are accessible for persons with disabilities.

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Thinking - Publication

Seeing the wood for the trees: preparing for new deforestation due diligence rules in the UK and EU

Published on 24 Oct 2024. By Sophie Tuson, Senior Associate, Environment and Climate Change Practice Lead

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Press and Media

Navigating retail's sustainable revolution as ESG shapes the industry's future

Published on 02 Oct 2024. By Kimberley Nanson, Senior Communications Manager and Caroline Copland, Head of Marketing Communications

As the retail regulatory landscape continues to develop at pace and affordability and sustainability remain important for consumers, ESG poses a variety of opportunities and challenges for those in the retail and consumer market.

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Thinking - Blog

The EU's Green Claims Directive

Published on 24 Jul 2024. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner, Technology, Media & Telecoms Sector Lead and Ciara Cullen, Partner, Retail & Consumer Sector Lead and Hettie Homewood , Senior Associate and Sophie Tuson, Senior Associate, Environment and Climate Change Practice Lead

The EU's proposed Green Claims Directive (GCD) sets out expansive new rules for companies making green claims in the EU.

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Thinking - Publication

What if the CEO asks me... about ESG-linked financing facilities

Published on 28 Sep 2021. By Edward Colville, Partner and Sukh Ahark, Partner, Co-head of India Desk

As focus moves from short term lockdown liquidity on to longer term financing needs, loan facilities linked to ESG and sustainability targets are back in the news.

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Thinking - Publication

Sports Ticker (27 April 2023) – PL gambling sponsor ban, WWE x UFC merger and Schumacher's AI interview – a speed-read of commercial updates from the sports world

Published on 28 Apr 2023. By Jeremy Drew, Partner and Joshua Charalambous, Partner and Samuel Coppard, Senior Associate and Joseph Akwaboa, Senior Associate

In a fortnight which saw Corach Rambler win the Grand National, the UK & Ireland submit its bid to host the UEFA Euro 2028 men's tournament, and 48,000 runners take to the streets for the London Marathon, we bring you updates on Spotify's new integration with Strava and Team GB's collaboration with Birds Eye. We also feature stories on a controversial AI-generated interview with Michael Schumacher and our own Kate O'Malley's sub-three hour marathon success.

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Thinking - Blog

Climate impact litigation strengthened with ICJ opinion

Published on 06 Aug 2025. By Sophie Tuson, Senior Associate, Environment and Climate Change Practice Lead and Marcela Calife Marotti, Senior Associate and Catherine Zakarias-Welch, Knowledge Lawyer

On 23 July 2025, the President of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) (considered the World's court) in The Hague, Netherlands, Judge Iwasawa Yuji, delivered the ICJ's advisory opinion on the obligations of States in respect of climate change. Hailed as an "historic achievement which sets the benchmark for climate action going forward", this keenly awaited opinion was, surprisingly, derived from students in the Pacific Island State of Vanuatu seeking to fight the climate crisis. In an attempt to force richer nations, who have contributed the most to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, not only to listen to the vulnerable smaller countries taking the brunt of it on the front line, but to be held accountable, they sought sponsors from other UN Member States.

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Thinking - Podcast

Navigating risk in the energy transition (With Joe Dutton)

Published on 07 Nov 2024.

Welcome to Insurance Covered, the podcast that covers everything insurance. In this episode Peter is joined by Joe Dutton, Energy Innovation Lead, at AXIS and in this episode they discuss a recent report Joe co-wrote, Navigating Risk in the Energy Transition.

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Thinking - Podcast

The insurance of systemic risks (Trevor Maynard)

Published on 23 Oct 2024.

Welcome to Insurance Covered, the podcast that covers everything insurance. In this episode Peter is joined by Trevor Maynard, Senior Insurance Advisor at Insurtech Sotera and Vice Chair and Executive Director at Cambridge Centre for Risk Studies. In this episode they discuss systemic risks.

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Thinking - Podcast

Sustainability and insurance (with Rachel Delhaise)

Published on 01 Oct 2024.

Welcome to Insurance Covered, the podcast that covers everything insurance. In this episode Peter is joined by Rachel Delhaise, Head of Sustainability at Convex Insurance. In this episode they discuss her role as Head of Sustainability and what that means for insurance.

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Thinking - Podcast

A look at climate insurance (With Richard Matsui)

Published on 20 Apr 2022.

Welcome to Insurance Covered, the podcast that covers everything insurance. In this episode Peter is joined by Richard Matsui, Co-founder of kWh Analytics, and they will be discussing the insurance of renewable energy sources with a particular focus on solar power.

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Thinking - Publication

Insurers need their own Hippocratic Oath

Published on 22 Mar 2022. By Simon Laird, Partner, Insurance Sector Lead and Peter Mansfield, Partner

Does insurance have a role to play in setting the ethical standard for corporate ESG and promoting a ‘do no harm’ philosophy?"

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Thinking - Podcast

A look at sustainable insurance (a podcast with Julian Richardson)

Published on 20 Jan 2022.

Welcome to Insurance Covered, the podcast that covers everything insurance. In this episode Peter is joined by Julian Richardson, CEO of Parhelion Underwriting and our topic for this episode is sustainable insurance.

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Thinking - Podcast

A look at Flood Re (a podcast with Andy Bord)

Published on 22 Dec 2021.

Welcome to Insurance Covered, the podcast that covers everything insurance. In this episode Peter is joined by Andy Bord, CEO of Flood Re, a specialist UK reinsurer of flood risks. In this episode we will be discussing all things Flood Re.

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Thinking - Snapshot

Developing responsible GenAI – the UK and EU regulatory view

Published on 10 May 2025. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner, Technology, Media & Telecoms Sector Lead

What is the UK and EU data protection authorities’ view on ensuring responsible generative AI (GenAI) development and deployment?

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Thinking - Snapshot

High Court rules against Sky Betting’s targeted marketing

Published on 10 May 2025. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner, Technology, Media & Telecoms Sector Lead

What constitutes valid consent under UK data protection law, particularly in the context of targeted marketing to vulnerable individuals?

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Thinking - Snapshot

European Data Protection Board adopts statement on age assurance technologies

Published on 10 May 2025. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner, Technology, Media & Telecoms Sector Lead

How is the European Data Protection Board (EDPB) proposing to address the benefits and risks of age assurance technologies?

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Thinking - Snapshot

New ICO guidance for “consent or pay” online ads

Published on 10 May 2025. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner, Technology, Media & Telecoms Sector Lead

What is the view of the UK Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) on whether “consent or pay” online advertising models are compliant with UK data protection law?

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Thinking - Snapshot

Status update on the UK’s new Data (Use and Access) Bill

Published on 10 May 2025. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner, Technology, Media & Telecoms Sector Lead

The UK’s new Data (Use and Access) Bill (DUA Bill) is on its way, but where is it in the legislative process? And what are proving the sticking points?

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Thinking - Snapshot

Ethics in the age of AI: new Institute of Directors checklist

Published on 07 Jul 2023. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner, Technology, Media & Telecoms Sector Lead

What are the key considerations for boards regarding the ethical use of AI within their companies based on the Institute of Directors’ (IoD) Checklist for Boards (Checklist)?

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Thinking - Snapshot

Government White Paper sets out UK approach to AI regulation

Published on 07 Jul 2023. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner, Technology, Media & Telecoms Sector Lead

How is the UK Government looking to regulate AI?

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Thinking - Snapshot

UK Government sets out proposals for regulation of AI

Published on 10 Oct 2022. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner, Technology, Media & Telecoms Sector Lead

What are the UK Government’s plans for the future regulation of artificial intelligence (AI)?

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Thinking - Snapshot

ICO launches AI and Data Protection Toolkit

Published on 28 Jul 2022.

How can those engaged in the development of artificial intelligence (AI) systems utilise the Information Commissioner’s Office’s AI and data protection risk toolkit (the Toolkit) to better ensure compliance with data protection legislation?

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Thinking - Snapshot

UK government announces the launch of an AI standards hub

Published on 12 Apr 2022. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner, Technology, Media & Telecoms Sector Lead

What does the new artificial intelligence (AI) standards hub mean for businesses seeking to develop AI technologies?

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Thinking - Snapshot

UK authorities consider position of AI in preparation for a new Golden Age of Tech

Published on 09 Jun 2021. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner, Technology, Media & Telecoms Sector Lead

The question: What direction is the UK taking regarding policies on artificial intelligence (AI)?

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Thinking - Blog

Six steps to AI Literacy (whether legally required to or not)

Published on 27 Feb 2025. By Paul Joukador, Partner and Praveeta Thayalan, Senior Knowledge Lawyer

At the beginning of February 2025, the AI literacy requirement under the EU AI Act came into force. The effect of this is that certain businesses must take measures to ensure a sufficient level of AI literacy in their staff.

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Thinking - Publication

Retail Compass Autumn 2024

Published on 02 Oct 2024. By Jeremy Drew, Partner and Karen Hendy, Partner and Ciara Cullen, Partner, Retail & Consumer Sector Lead

Welcome to the autumn edition of Retail Compass. This edition sees a surge of ESG-related legislative and regulatory updates. We hope to guide you through the most pressing, as well as the wider upcoming legal and policy changes affecting retail and consumer brands.

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Thinking - Publication

Retail Compass Spring 2024

Published on 15 Apr 2024. By Jeremy Drew, Partner and Karen Hendy, Partner and Ciara Cullen, Partner, Retail & Consumer Sector Lead

Welcome to the Spring edition of Retail Compass, where we guide you through key upcoming legal and policy changes affecting retailers and consumer brands and provide our thoughts on those crucial, need-to-know issues.

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Thinking - Blog

12 top tips for using AI in retail and consumer businesses

Published on 18 Dec 2023. By Praveeta Thayalan, Senior Knowledge Lawyer

Last year, we set out our top ten tips for retailers entering the metaverse. This year, AI is the hot topic in retail and pretty much everywhere else! AI is redefining the retail and consumer industry. It can improve consume engagement, aid decision-making, curate tailored promotions, improve efficiencies, and reduce costs. So what do retailers and consumer bran need to be mindful of when deploying AI?

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Thinking - Publication

Retail Compass Autumn 2023

Published on 17 Oct 2023. By Jeremy Drew, Partner and Karen Hendy, Partner and Ciara Cullen, Partner, Retail & Consumer Sector Lead

Welcome to our Autumn edition of Retail Compass, where we guide you through the key legal and policy changes affecting retail and consumer brands and provide our thoughts on those crucial, need-to-know issues.

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Thinking - Publication

Retail Compass Spring 2023

Published on 27 Apr 2023. By Jeremy Drew, Partner and Karen Hendy, Partner

Welcome to our Spring edition of Retail Compass, where we guide you through the key legal and policy changes affecting retail and consumer brands and provide our thoughts on those crucial, need-to-know issues.

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Thinking - Publication

What if the CEO asks me about... using Artificial Intelligence in our Retail stores?

Published on 28 Mar 2023. By Paul Joukador, Partner

The term "artificial intelligence" (AI) describes a range of technologies that enable machines to perform tasks that typically require human intelligence, such as the ability to comprehend, act and learn.

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Thinking - Blog

New developments in AI may put law firms at greater risk of phishing fraud

Published on 28 Apr 2023. By Will Sefton, Partner, Head of the Lawyers Liability and Regulatory Group

As the computing power of Artificial Intelligence continues to grow exponentially, we consider how generative technology may expand the reach of traditional phishing frauds aimed at law firms.

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Thinking - Snapshot

“Ronan’s Law” to impact retailer and online platform liability for knife sales

Published on 09 May 2025. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner, Technology, Media & Telecoms Sector Lead and David Cran, Partner, Head of Disputes

How will the UK’s proposal to crack down on the online sale of knives impact retailers?

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Thinking - Snapshot

EU “ecodesign” product regulation lands, together with new digital product passport

Published on 09 May 2025. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner, Technology, Media & Telecoms Sector Lead and David Cran, Partner, Head of Disputes

What does the EU’s new regulation on ecodesign and sustainability mean for products and those who manufacture, import, deal and distribute them?

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Thinking - Snapshot

EU proposals to make online marketplaces liable for unsafe or illegal goods and collection of taxes

Published on 09 May 2025. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner, Technology, Media & Telecoms Sector Lead and David Cran, Partner, Head of Disputes

How concerned should online marketplaces be about new EU rules on e-commerce imports?

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Thinking - Snapshot

EU Online Dispute Regulation Platform discontinued!

Published on 09 May 2025. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner, Technology, Media & Telecoms Sector Lead and David Cran, Partner, Head of Disputes

The EU Online Dispute Resolution Platform (ODR Platform) was set up in 2016 under the Regulation (EU) No 524/2013 (Regulation), as an alternative route to court for disputes arising from online sales or service contracts

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Thinking - Snapshot

CJEU considering liability of App Store providers for unlawful loot boxes

Published on 09 May 2025. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner, Technology, Media & Telecoms Sector Lead and David Cran, Partner, Head of Disputes

Should intermediary service providers (eg app stores) be held liable for the supply of games containing unlawful loot boxes to consumers in breach of local gambling legislation?

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Thinking - Snapshot

CMA guidance on unfair commercial practices under the DMCCA

Published on 09 May 2025. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner, Technology, Media & Telecoms Sector Lead and David Cran, Partner, Head of Disputes

What practical guidance is given by the CMA on unfair commercial practices under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (DMCCA)?

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Thinking - Snapshot

CMA’s enforcement road map for the new DMCCA plus consumer protection priorities

Published on 09 May 2025. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner, Technology, Media & Telecoms Sector Lead and David Cran, Partner, Head of Disputes

Where will the CMA focus its new enforcement powers under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumer Act 2024 (DMCCA)? And what are the CMA’s consumer protection priorities?

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Thinking - Blog

Kick-ed out – UKIPO applies Supreme Court SkyKick decision in ENERJO opposition

Published on 17 Jun 2025. By Sarah Mountain, Partner and Samuel Coppard, Senior Associate

In the case of ENERJO (O/0439/24), the UK Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO) upheld an opposition against an application filed by Cashflow – the specification for which ran to a whopping 81 A4 pages! It found that "the sheer size and disparate nature" of the goods and services applied for amounted to bad faith, citing the Supreme Court’s decision in SkyKick, the weapon of choice for those wanting to challenge overly broad specifications. A detailed analysis of the decision follows.

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Thinking - Blog

Cheers Thatchers!–Lemon-Aid for Brand Owners as Court of Appeal Decision Suggests Greater Protection for Brand Owners from “Lookalike” Packaging

Published on 13 Jun 2025. By Ciara Cullen, Partner, Retail & Consumer Sector Lead and Joshy Thomas, Senior Knowledge Lawyer and Harpreet Kaur, Associate

Cheers Thatchers!–Lemon-Aid for Brand Owners as Court of Appeal Decision Suggests Greater Protection for Brand Owners from “Lookalike” Packaging

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Thinking - Blog

EU Design regulation changes coming on 1 May 2025: What businesses need to know

Published on 14 Apr 2025. By Louise Morgan, Senior Associate and Georgia Davis, Of Counsel

1 May 2025 sees the first in a series of implementations of the long-awaited changes to EU design law.

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Thinking - Blog

Aesthetic appeal and craftsmanship are not enough: WaterRower fails to secure copyright protection as a UK work of artistic craftsmanship

Published on 13 Dec 2024. By Ciara Cullen, Partner, Retail & Consumer Sector Lead and Joshy Thomas, Senior Knowledge Lawyer

The term "artistic craftsmanship" has no statutory definition under UK copyright law – a position that has only been made more challenging by a conflict between EU and UK case law in this area. In this hotly anticipated judgment, the Intellectual Property Enterprise Court (IPEC) sought to determine what it means to be a work of artistic craftsmanship in the context of s 4(1)(c) of the Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1988 (CDPA).

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