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The November 2023 AI safety summit and the UK's direction of travel

Published on 29 Aug 2023. By Helen Armstrong, Partner and Charles Buckworth, Partner and Joshy Thomas, Knowledge Lawyer

The government has confirmed that the UK AI safety summit will be held at Bletchley Park on 1 and 2 November 2023.

Telecoms supply agreement excludes "loss of profit" claim under "anticipated profits" liability exclusion (EE v Virgin Mobile)

Published on 25 Aug 2023. By Helen Armstrong, Partner and Joshy Thomas, Knowledge Lawyer

In line with a number of recent cases, in EE Limited v Virgin Mobile Telecoms Limited [2023] EWHC 1989 (TCC) the courts have shown that parties generally cannot avoid clear wording contained in exclusion clauses in order to recover losses that have been expressly excluded (in this case, loss of profits).

Rolls-Royce entitled to hit the brakes in dispute over termination of a software services agreement (Topalsson v Rolls-Royce)

Published on 14 Aug 2023. By Helen Armstrong, Partner and Joshy Thomas, Knowledge Lawyer

In Topalsson GmbH v Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Limited [2023] EWHC 1765 (TCC), the High Court has provided useful guidance on how to determine whether a software implementation timeline agreed by the parties is binding, when implementation is considered complete and in what circumstances failing to complete implementation by the contractual deadlines entitles the customer to terminate the contract.

A narrow escape – software services provider entitled to rely on single aggregate liability cap (Drax v Wipro)

Published on 25 Jul 2023. By Helen Armstrong, Partner and Joshy Thomas, Knowledge Lawyer

When it comes to bespoke software development projects, a lot can go wrong. There's risk for the customer such as project delays, software defects, functionality issues and a lack of meeting of minds in terms of project requirements.

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 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.

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

Going Green – staying on the right side of competition law

Published on 15 May 2023. By Melanie Musgrave, Of Counsel

Environmental issues are high on the agenda for many consumers and businesses alike. They are also increasingly an area of focus for competition authorities around the world, including the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), who are keen to ensure that competition law concerns do not unnecessarily prevent businesses from collaborating legitimately on environmental sustainability initiatives.

Accessory liability: when will directors be held liable for IP infringements committed by their companies – and what is counted as "profits"?

Published on 20 Jun 2024. By Emma Dunnill, Senior Associate and Rory Graham, Associate

The Supreme Court in Lifestyle Equities CV & Anor v Ahmed & Anor [2024] UKSC 17, has allowed an appeal by two company directors who were found liable as accessories to trade mark infringement by the company in which they were directors. The decision provides helpful clarification on the required elements for accessory liability in the context of IP right infringement claims and confirms the sums to be included in an account of profits if liability is established (spoiler alert: a director's salary is not considered to be "profit").

Online platforms should Swatch out: Samsung found liable for infringing third-party content available on the Samsung Galaxy App store

Published on 22 Jan 2024. By Sarah Mountain, Partner and Emma Dunnill, Senior Associate and Zoe Harvey, Associate

The Court of Appeal in Montres Breguet SA v Samsung Electronics [2023] EWCA Civ 1478 has dismissed Samsung's appeal and upheld a first instance decision which found it liable for trade mark infringement in relation to third-party watch faces available on the Samsung Galaxy App store. This judgment provides guidance on what constitutes "use" of a sign by an online app store and the applicability of the e-Commerce Directive hosting defence.

Fast-growing IP and tech practice at RPC welcomes Caroline Tuck as Partner

Published on 16 Oct 2023. By Caroline Tuck, Partner

International law firm RPC is pleased to announce the appointment of Caroline Tuck as a Partner in its Intellectual Property and Technology (IP & Tech) team. Caroline Tuck joins RPC from Deloitte, where she was a Director in the Disputes team.

The Sky's the limit for trade mark applications. Or is it?

Published on 12 Jul 2023. By Sarah Mountain, Partner and Ellie Chakarto, Senior Associate

Reproduction of infringing content online: who's liable?

Published on 21 Jul 2020. By Ciara Cullen, Partner and Louise Morgan, Senior Associate

Keyword advertising, search engine optimisation and liability for infringement via online marketplaces: In recent years, there has been a plethora of cases concerning the various ways that trade marks may be infringed, through use on the internet.

All change! No extension means major changes for IP rights holders from 1 January 2021

Published on 02 Jul 2020. By Ben Mark, Partner and Sarah Mountain, Partner

Under Article 132 of the Withdrawal Agreement, 30 June 2020 was the last day that the UK could have requested an extension to the Brexit transition period. The COVID-19 outbreak prompted many to speculate that a request would be made but the deadline passed, without event.

Health and Safety Bulletin – September 2024

Published on 24 Sep 2024. By Gavin Reese, Partner, Head of Regulatory and Mamata Dutta, Partner and Rashna Vaswani, Associate and Sally Lord, Knowledge Lawyer Manager and Catherine Zakarias-Welch, Knowledge Lawyer and Aimee Talbot, Knowledge Lawyer

Welcome to this month's health and safety update, keeping you updated with a round-up of the latest fines, sentences, and environmental news.

Health and Safety Bulletin – March 2024

Published on 06 Mar 2024. By Gavin Reese, Partner, Head of Regulatory and Mamata Dutta, Partner and Rashna Vaswani, Associate

Welcome to this month's health and safety update. View the headlines below or click the pdf at the bottom of the page to read the full articles.

Health and Safety Bulletin – August 2023

Published on 23 Aug 2023. By Gavin Reese, Partner, Head of Regulatory and Mamata Dutta, Partner and Rashna Vaswani, Associate

Welcome to this month's health and safety update. View the headlines below or click the pdf at the bottom of the page to read the full articles.

Health and Safety Bulletin – November 2022

Published on 10 Nov 2022. By Gavin Reese, Partner, Head of Regulatory and Mamata Dutta, Partner

Welcome to this month's health and safety update. View the headlines below or click the pdf at the bottom of the page to read the full articles.

Health and Safety Bulletin – February 2022

Published on 08 Feb 2022. By Gavin Reese, Partner, Head of Regulatory and Mamata Dutta, Partner

Welcome to this month's health and safety update. View the headlines below or click the pdf at the bottom of the page to read the full articles.

Health and safety update - June 2021

Published on 28 Jun 2021.

Welcome to this month's health and safety update. View the headlines below or click the pdf at the bottom of the page to read the full articles.

Health and safety update - September 2020

Published on 30 Sep 2020.

Welcome to this month's health and safety update. View the headlines below or click the pdf at the bottom of the page to read the full articles.

COVID-19 Secure – Government Guidance released

Published on 14 May 2020.

Following Prime Minster Boris Johnson's announcement on Sunday 10 May about limited easing lockdown restrictions, the government published various guidance documents to businesses on 11 May to assist with the process of returning to work.

Health and safety update December 2019

Published on 19 Dec 2019.

Welcome to our December 2019 health and safety update where we look at the health and safety stories that have recently hit the headlines as well as the latest fines and sentences that have been handed down.

Health and safety update September 2019

Published on 01 Oct 2019. By Gavin Reese, Partner, Head of Regulatory and Mamata Dutta, Partner

Welcome to our September 2019 health and safety update where we look at the health and safety stories that have recently hit the headlines as well as the latest fines and sentences that have been handed down.

Health and safety update June 2019

Published on 28 Jun 2019.

Welcome to our June 2019 health and safety update where we look at the health and safety stories that have recently hit the headlines as well as the latest fines and sentences that have been handed down.

Health and safety update March 2019

Published on 21 Mar 2019.

Welcome to our March 2019 health and safety update where we look at the health and safety stories that have recently hit the headlines as well as the latest fines and sentences that have been handed down.

Health and safety update December 2018

Published on 18 Dec 2018.

Welcome to the latest edition of our health and safety update where we look at the health and safety stories that have recently hit the headlines as well as the latest fines and sentences that have been handed down.

Health and safety update September 2018

Published on 28 Sep 2018.

Welcome to the latest edition of our health and safety update where we look at the health and safety stories that have recently hit the headlines as well as the latest fines and sentences that have been handed down.

Health and safety update June 2018

Published on 25 Jun 2018.

Welcome to the latest edition of our health and safety update where we look at the health and safety stories that have recently hit the headlines as well as the latest fines and sentences that have been handed down.

Health and safety update March 2018

Published on 26 Mar 2018.

Welcome to the latest edition of our health and safety update where we look at the health and safety stories that have recently hit the headlines as well as the latest fines and sentences that have been handed down.

Health and safety update December 2017

Published on 14 Dec 2017.

Welcome the the latest edition of our Health and safety update, where we look at the health and safety stories that have recently hit the headlines as well as well as the latest fines and sentences that have been handed down.

Health and safety law update, December 2016

Published on 19 Dec 2016.

Welcome to the December issue of our Health & Safety law update.

Health and Safety update, September 2016

Published on 29 Sep 2016.

This edition includes details of Merlin Attractions' £5 million fine following the Smiler crash in 2015 at Alton Towers, in addition to the latest case law and health & safety news.

Health and Safety June Update

Published on 03 Jun 2016.

Health and safety update June 2016

National Grid Gas plc hit with £2m fine for health and safety breach

Published on 11 Dec 2015.

National Grid Gas plc hit with £2m fine for health and safety breach

Disputes Yearbook 2021: Retail disputes

Published on 04 May 2021. By Jeremy Drew, Partner, Head of Commercial

As part of the acclaimed Disputes Yearbook, Legal Business interviewed members of our disputes team exploring the litigation landscape and what RPC brings to the table.

CAT Collective Proceedings - Summer 2024 update

Published on 24 Jul 2024. By Chris Ross, Partner and David Cran, Partner, Head of IP & Tech and Zoe Mernick-Levene, Partner

Developments in the UK’s competition collective proceedings regime continue apace with new claims recently issued in the Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT).

The CAT's new approach: I can't afford a carriage (dispute)

Published on 02 Jun 2023. By Chris Ross, Partner

Since the collective proceedings regime in the UK's Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) kicked off, a number of carriage disputes have arisen. So-called 'carriage disputes' arise when there are two or more competing proposed class representatives (PCRs) seeking certification (and therefore 'carriage') of overlapping class actions.

CMA investigates Ticketmaster for dynamic pricing of Oasis tickets

Published on 10 Dec 2024. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner and David Cran, Partner, Head of IP & Tech

Can dynamic pricing breach consumer protection rules?

CMA publishes guidance for fashion retailers on environmental claims

Published on 10 Dec 2024. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner and David Cran, Partner, Head of IP & Tech

How best can fashion retailers protect themselves from regulatory action when making green claims?

CJEU rules on pricing display strategies of Aldi Süd

Published on 10 Dec 2024. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner and David Cran, Partner, Head of IP & Tech

European consumer body challenges in-game premium currencies

Published on 10 Dec 2024. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner and David Cran, Partner, Head of IP & Tech

When does the use of in-app and in-game premium currencies pose consumer regulatory issues? Does this consumer complaint herald a tightening by the EU on revenue streams for game and app developers and platforms?

UK pricing practices in the spotlight

Published on 10 Dec 2024. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner and David Cran, Partner, Head of IP & Tech

What should businesses take note of recent amendments to the UK’s Price Marking Order and the CMA’s newly published report on loyalty pricing?

News Flash: Timeline for the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act

Published on 10 Dec 2024. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner and David Cran, Partner, Head of IP & Tech

On 24 May 2024, the UK’s Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act (DMCCA) received Royal Assent.

A new era for sustainability consumer products: the EU’s new Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR)

Published on 20 Nov 2024. By Sophie Tuson, Senior Associate, Environment and Climate Change Practice Lead and Sophie Parkinson, Associate

On 18 July 2024 the ESPR entered into force setting a framework for new ecodesign rules in the EU. It will have significant impacts for retailers and consumer brands selling products in the EU. It will introduce new minimum ecodesign requirements for specific product categories (with an initial focus on textiles), make digital product passports mandatory and set rules on the destruction of unsold products. Companies face the risk of fines, consumer claims and reputational damage for non-compliance.

Product liability and safety legislative refurb

Published on 05 Nov 2024. By Gavin Reese, Partner, Head of Regulatory and Sally Lord, Knowledge Lawyer Manager

The current legislation governing product safety is the General Product Safety Directive (GPSD), but its shortcomings, especially on tech, are evident.On 13 December 2024 the EU will be replacing the GPSD with the General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR), and the latest King’s Speech indicated it will be replaced in the UK by a Product Safety and Metrology Bill.Separately, EU Member States are rolling out a revised Product Liability Directive (PLD) which captures the provision of software, digital services and online marketplaces.

Urgently Misleading: the CMA secures undertakings from Wowcher and £4 million of customer refunds

Published on 17 Oct 2024. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner and David Cran, Partner, Head of IP & Tech

When does a selling practice create a false sense of urgency that is considered misleading by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA)?

Exemption from HFSS product restrictions for Ofcom-regulated internet protocol television (IPTV) services

Published on 17 Oct 2024. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner and David Cran, Partner, Head of IP & Tech

What is the UK Government's proposal for the incoming HFSS restrictions in relation to IPTV advertising?

CMA targets Simba for misleading online choice architecture

Published on 17 Oct 2024. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner and David Cran, Partner, Head of IP & Tech

What types of promotional tactics are in the Competition and Markets Authority's (CMA) line of sight when it comes to misleading online choice architecture?

CMA publishes draft guidance on enforcement of DMCCA consumer law

Published on 17 Oct 2024. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner and David Cran, Partner, Head of IP & Tech

How will the CMA look to enforce the consumer protection law sections of the recently enacted Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (DMCCA)?

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.