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Thinking - Blog

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.

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Thinking - Blog

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).

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Thinking - Blog

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.

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Thinking - Blog

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.

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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 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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Thinking - Publication

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.

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Thinking - Blog

Privacy developments – looking back and looking forward

Published on 19 Dec 2024. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner and Jon Bartley, Partner and Joe Lippitt, Partner and Praveeta Thayalan, Knowledge Lawyer

In this article, we give you a high-level snapshot of the key data protection and privacy developments in the UK and EU in 2024 as well as developments we anticipate for 2025.

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Thinking - Blog

Digital operational resilience: the UK regulatory landscape

Published on 15 Nov 2024. By Richard Breavington, Partner

Operational Resilience in the supply chain has become an undeniable priority for all financial service providers across the continent.

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Thinking - Blog

How will the "Genny lec" impact the world of cyber and tech?

Published on 24 Jun 2024. By Rachel Ford, Partner

On 22 May 2024, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak stood in the pouring rain to announce a General Election, thus commencing a summer of political and meteorological uncertainty for those in the UK.

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Thinking - Publication

Ransoms and Sanctions and Fines (oh my!)

Published on 04 Sep 2023. By Richard Breavington, Partner

Ransomware attacks are happening all the time. Just the other month, the Cl0p ransomware gang claimed responsibility for the exploitation of a zero-day vulnerability in the MOVEit Transfer tool.

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Thinking - Publication

Ransoms and Sanctions and Fines (oh my!)

Published on 04 Sep 2023. By Richard Breavington, Partner

Ransomware attacks are happening all the time. Just the other month, the Cl0p ransomware gang claimed responsibility for the exploitation of a zero-day vulnerability in the MOVEit Transfer tool.

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Thinking - Blog

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").

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Thinking - Blog

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.

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Press and Media

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.

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Thinking - Blog

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

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Thinking - Blog

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.

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Thinking - Blog

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.

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Thinking - Snapshot

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?

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Thinking - Snapshot

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?

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Thinking - Snapshot

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

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Thinking - Snapshot

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?

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Thinking - Snapshot

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?

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Thinking - Snapshot

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.

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Thinking - Publication

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.

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Thinking - Publication

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.

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Thinking - Snapshot

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)?

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Thinking - Snapshot

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?

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Thinking - Snapshot

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?

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Thinking - Snapshot

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)?

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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 - Publication

Retail Compass Autumn 2024

Published on 02 Oct 2024. By Jeremy Drew, Partner and Karen Hendy, Partner and Ciara Cullen, Partner

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 - Blog

Top tips for Influencing Senior Stakeholders on Environmental Programmes: Insights from a Responsible Business Professional

Published on 25 Sep 2024. By Katie Horn, DEIB and Responsible Business Manager (Market Facing)

Effectively influencing senior stakeholders is essential for the success of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) programmes.

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Thinking - Snapshot

The EU’s Product Liability Directive expands to cover digital technology

Published on 01 Aug 2024. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner and David Cran, Partner, Head of IP & Tech

What changes to civil product liability have been implemented by the European Commission for defective digital products and software?

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Thinking - Snapshot

Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Regulations: a new security regime for smart devices

Published on 01 Aug 2024. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner and David Cran, Partner, Head of IP & Tech

What does the new cyber security regime mean for “smart” devices in the UK?

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Thinking - Snapshot

Empowering consumers through the EU’s Green Transition Directive

Published on 01 Aug 2024. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner and David Cran, Partner, Head of IP & Tech

What are the enhanced consumers rights arising from the EU’s Directive on Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition (the Empowering Consumers Directive)?

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Thinking - Snapshot

The EU’s new General Product Safety Regulation is set to land in December 2024

Published on 01 Aug 2024. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner and David Cran, Partner, Head of IP & Tech

What do manufacturers and online marketplaces need to think about as the EU General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR) comes into force in December 2024?

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Thinking - Snapshot

The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act becomes law

Published on 01 Aug 2024. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner and David Cran, Partner, Head of IP & Tech

What changes will the new Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act bring to the consumer protection and competition regulation landscape?

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Thinking - Blog

The EU's Green Claims Directive

Published on 24 Jul 2024. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner and Ciara Cullen, Partner 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 - Blog

Parliamentary 'wash up' – which Bills made it through?

Published on 31 May 2024. By Paul Joukador, Partner and Praveeta Thayalan, Knowledge Lawyer and Shahil Goodka, Trainee Solicitor

On 22 May 2024, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced that a General Election will take place on 4 July 2024. Parliament was then prorogued on 24 May 2024 which allowed a mere 2 days for 'wash up' - the process by which outstanding bills may be rushed through the parliamentary process.

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Thinking - Blog

Consumer friendly compliance – guidance for retailers and consumer brands on the DMCC Bill

Published on 15 May 2024. By Eve Matthews, Associate

Following receipt of some 372 responses to the "Smarter Regulation: Improving consumer price transparency and product information for consumers" Consultation, the government has published its response in which it proposes significant amends to the Price Marking Order alongside new additions to the DMCC Bill.

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Thinking - Blog

Higher stakes cybercrime – prepare now

Published on 08 May 2024. By Elizabeth Zang, Associate and Richard Breavington, Partner

Cybercrime continues to increase and shows no signs of stopping.

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Thinking - Blog

Food and beverage 2050: The transition to net zero

Published on 02 May 2024. By Karen Hendy, Partner, Head of Corporate and Rosamund Akayan, Knowledge Lawyer

Following publication in October 2023 of its final Disclosure Framework for private sector entities to transition to a net zero economy, the TPT published draft Food & Beverage Sector Guidance in November 2023.

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Thinking - Blog

Virtual advertising: a glimpse into the future

Published on 30 Apr 2024. By Elizabeth Alibhai, Partner and Lola Withrington, Associate

Virtual advertising and experiences are transforming the way real world property can be used by turning it into a canvas for digital content.

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Thinking - Blog

The rise of recommerce

Published on 25 Apr 2024. By Ciara Cullen, Partner and Emma Dunnill, Senior Associate

Recommerce (which includes reselling, renting, refilling, repairing or reusing goods) is already an extremely valuable business model, estimated by Barclays to be worth almost £7bn in the UK alone and expected by Visa to increase to £82bn by 2030. This growth – particularly in respect of resale – is widely regarded as being driven by Gen Z consumers, over two thirds of whom now prefer to buy second-hand over new goods, in part, due to sustainability concerns.

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Thinking - Snapshot

Collective actions under consumer law: proposed amendments to the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill

Published on 17 Apr 2024. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner

Are class actions under consumer protection law likely following the UK’s new DMCC Bill, and if so, what will the impact on businesses be?

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Thinking - Snapshot

The DMCC Bill: New laws set to ban fake reviews and drip pricing from online shopping

Published on 17 Apr 2024. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner

What new laws is the UK Government planning to introduce to tackle fake reviews and unfair fees when it comes to online shopping?

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Thinking - Snapshot

Online Fraud Charter agreed by largest tech companies

Published on 17 Apr 2024. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner

What are the obligations for tech companies that have signed up to the UK’s Online Fraud Charter (the Charter)?

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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

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

Green claims: key takeaways from the CMA's first investigation

Published on 04 Apr 2024. By Ciara Cullen, Partner and Sophie Tuson, Senior Associate, Environment and Climate Change Practice Lead and Lewis Manning, Associate

After much anticipation, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has finally published the results of its investigation into green claims made by ASOS, Boohoo and George at Asda. All three retailers have signed undertakings committing to change the way they promote their green credentials and to set up robust internal processes to ensure future green claims are not misleading.

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