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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 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 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

A guide to buying and selling English residential property

Published on 14 Jan 2025. By Elizabeth Alibhai, Partner and Sukh Ahark, Partner, Co-head of India Practice and Ben Roberts, Partner and Jon Ely, Partner and Arash Rajai, Partner

We are seeing increased positivity in the English residential property market. In 2024, inflation reached the Bank of England’s 2% target, down from 11.1% in 2022, which was a significant factor in the return of consumer confidence and economic growth. Mortgage rates are falling slightly with approval rates at their highest level since 2022 as buyers continue to respond to increased certainty post-election. Property values are again on the rise while demand continues to outstrip supply.

Architects' Code reforms – it's important that you have your say!

Published on 08 Oct 2024. By Alexandra Anderson, Partner and Emma Wherry, Senior Associate

The Architects Registration Board (ARB) is consulting on a proposed new code of professional conduct for architects. The proposed new Code is shorter and simpler, but may be more complex to apply and more onerous. Architects should consider responding to the consultation by the deadline of 12 December 2024.

Construction disciplinary trends analysis #3: fraud and dishonesty

Published on 12 Aug 2024. By Ben Goodier, Partner and Emma Wherry, Senior Associate and Aimee Talbot, Knowledge Lawyer

This article is the third instalment in our mini-series analysing trends in disciplinary decisions involving construction professionals, with insight from our specialist disciplinary team.

Unpacking the Building Safety Act's industry overhaul

Published on 06 Mar 2024. By Zoe Eastell, Partner and Zack Gould-Wilson, Senior Associate

On June 28, 2022, the Building Safety Act 2022 received royal assent, bringing about the biggest change to building safety in 40 years.

Construction disciplinary trends analysis #2: engagement letters – worth more than the paper they're written on!

Published on 21 Feb 2024. By Ben Goodier, Partner and Emma Wherry, Senior Associate and Aimee Talbot, Knowledge Lawyer

This article is the second in our mini-series analysing trends in disciplinary decisions involving construction professionals, with insight from our specialist disciplinary team.

The Times recognises RPC among Best Law Firms 2024

Published on 30 Oct 2023.

International law firm, RPC, has been recognised by The Times in its Best Law Firms 2024 report, an annual ranking of the top 250 law firms in England and Wales.

Construction disciplinary trends analysis #1: continuing professional development

Published on 16 Oct 2023. By Ben Goodier, Partner and Emma Wherry, Senior Associate and Aimee Talbot, Knowledge Lawyer

This article is the first in our mini-series analysing trends in disciplinary decisions involving construction professionals, with insight from our specialist disciplinary team.

The El Niño year and impact on subsidence claims

Published on 13 Jul 2023. By Andrew Roper, Partner and Aimee Talbot, Knowledge Lawyer

Insurers should be bracing for a wave of subsidence claims arising from the increasingly warm weather. The UN’s World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has declared that an El Niño climate event is in progress, which helps explain why June 2023 was the hottest on record in the UK.

Building on renewable energy #3 – Anaerobic Digestion

Published on 24 Sep 2020.

Anaerobic digestion is the process by which biodegradable materials are broken down in a controlled environment. Whilst being broken down, the materials emit gas (which can be used as a source of renewable energy), and produce heat (which can also be harnessed on or near-to site). The process also leaves a waste material (digestate), which can be used as fertiliser, contributing to the circular economy.

Sports Ticker #119: Wimbledon worries, ICC's two-tier cricket and Mike Tyson litigation

Published on 21 Jan 2025. By Jeremy Drew, Partner, Head of Commercial and Joshua Charalambous, Partner and Samuel Coppard, Senior Associate and Ellie Chakarto, Senior Associate and Joseph Akwaboa, Associate and Simon Williams, Associate

In a fortnight which saw the World Snooker Tour launch a new global streaming service and Adidas enter F1 with a Mercedes partnership, we bring you updates on the legal action against Wimbledon's expansion plans, FIFA's interim transfer rules following the Diarra ruling and the possibility of a two-tier cricket Test system.

Sky trademark ruling suggests strategy tips for brands

Published on 16 Jan 2025. By Joshua Charalambous, Partner

In a judgment handed down in SkyKick UK Ltd. v. Sky Ltd. on Nov. 13, the U.K. Supreme Court held that various trademarks for "Sky" owned by Sky were partially invalid due to their having been filed in bad faith, on the basis that Sky lacked a genuine intention to use the marks in all the classes for which they had been registered.

Sports Ticker #118: Thom Browne v Adidas, Formula E on TV and Q&A with Ben Maher – a speed read of commercial updates from the sports world

Published on 13 Dec 2024. By Jeremy Drew, Partner, Head of Commercial and Joshua Charalambous, Partner and Samuel Coppard, Senior Associate and Ellie Chakarto, Senior Associate and Joseph Akwaboa, Associate and Simon Williams, Associate

In a fortnight which saw boxing face an ultimatum for its inclusion in the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, trials of an alternative system to VAR extended by the International Football Association Board and the NBA announce its return to China in 2025, we bring you updates on Thom Browne vs Adidas, AB InBev's partnership with FIFA for the Club World Cup 2025 and an exciting RPC event with Ben Maher on 17 December.

Sports Ticker #117: Padel Cup, Cadillac enters F1 and AI rugby developments

Published on 28 Nov 2024. By Jeremy Drew, Partner, Head of Commercial and Joshua Charalambous, Partner and Samuel Coppard, Senior Associate and Joseph Akwaboa, Associate and Ellie Chakarto, Senior Associate

In a fortnight which saw Premier League clubs approve changes to the Associated Party Transaction rules and Thom Browne prevail against Adidas in its long running dispute concerning striped trade marks (further analysis in the next Ticker!), we bring you updates on the newly anticipated global rugby competition, MotoGP's broadcast agreement with TNT Sports and an ex-footballer's professional tennis debut.

Sports Ticker #116: Football Governance Bill, Ashes series and Sela shirts

Published on 15 Nov 2024. By Jeremy Drew, Partner, Head of Commercial and Joshua Charalambous, Partner and Samuel Coppard, Senior Associate and Ellie Chakarto, Senior Associate and Joseph Akwaboa, Associate and Simon Williams, Associate

In a fortnight which saw Barcelona strike a record €1.7bn kit deal with Nike (ending the 'will they / won't they' debate on Barcelona producing their own kit), NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell set his sights on Ireland for an international game and Ferrari sign a multi-year F1 partnership with IBM, we bring you updates on the revived Football Governance Bill, the 2024/25 Women's Sport Investment Accelerator scheme and Sela Sound Shirts for football fans with hearing impairments.

Sports Ticker #115: Wimbledon AI, NSL revamp and Diarra ECJ judgment

Published on 25 Oct 2024. By Jeremy Drew, Partner, Head of Commercial and Joshua Charalambous, Partner and Samuel Coppard, Senior Associate and Ellie Chakarto, Senior Associate and Joseph Akwaboa, Associate and Simon Williams, Associate

In a fortnight which saw FIFA name Lenovo as an official technology partner, Wrexham AFC secure Meta Quest as the club's back of shirt sponsor (with the players wearing the headsets as they walked out onto the pitch), and New Zealand win the Women's T20 Cricket World Cup, we bring you updates on Wimbledon replacing line judges with AI, the revamped Netball Super League and the recent Diarra ruling in the European Court of Justice.

Sports Ticker #114: Wimbledon expansion, Club World Cup 2025 and F1's LEGO partnership – a speed read of commercial updates from the sports world

Published on 10 Oct 2024. By Jeremy Drew, Partner, Head of Commercial and Joshua Charalambous, Partner and Samuel Coppard, Senior Associate and Ellie Chakarto, Senior Associate and Joseph Akwaboa, Associate and Simon Williams, Associate

In a fortnight which saw the WRU issue Wales Women’s rugby team with 37 full-time contracts and the announcement of the Green Sport Awards 2024 nominees, we bring you updates on Wimbledon's plans for expansion, Barclays' partnership with the WSL and Women's Championship, and the Global Esports Federation's commitment to the UN Sustainability Development Goals.

Sports Ticker #113 - PL v Man City, Commonwealth Games 2026 and Supreme Court referee ruling - a speed read of commercial updates from the sports world

Published on 26 Sep 2024. By Jeremy Drew, Partner, Head of Commercial and Joshua Charalambous, Partner and Samuel Coppard, Senior Associate and Joseph Akwaboa, Associate and Ellie Chakarto, Senior Associate

In a fortnight which saw the Women's Professional League agree a record £45 million Barclays title sponsorship extension, Friedkin Group reach a deal to buy Everton FC and FIFA extend its partnership with Lay's, we bring you updates on the 'Sports Trial of the Century' between the Premier League and Man City, Glasgow's plans for the 2026 Commonwealth Games and how football referees may qualify as employees.

Sports Ticker #112: Leicester City's PSR appeal, Paralympics success and Women's Rugby World Cup 2025 coverage

Published on 12 Sep 2024. By Jeremy Drew, Partner, Head of Commercial and Joshua Charalambous, Partner and Samuel Coppard, Senior Associate and Ellie Chakarto, Senior Associate and Joseph Akwaboa, Associate and Simon Williams, Associate

Edition 112 12 September 2024 In a fortnight which saw ParalympicsGB claim second place at the Paris Paralympics 2024, the Scottish government strongly encouraged to back the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, and the French Rugby Federation agree a new supplier partnership with Adidas, we bring you updates on AI-powered translation of sports commentary, Women's Rugby World Cup 2025 on the BBC, and Leicester City's successful appeal of its PSR charge.