Insights & News

Overview of planning changes 2020 (England only)

Inbrief

05 October 2020

There have been a number of changes to permitted development rights (PDRs) during the Covid-19 pandemic and there are further significant reforms in the pipeline.

Setting up a competing business

Inbrief

03 September 2020

Many owner-managers and entrepreneurs plan to start new businesses in the same space as their current one. Managing this transition effectively is often the key to success in the new business and getting it wrong can result in the new business failing before it has even started.

Investigations

Inbrief

10 August 2020

We set out the key considerations for organisations faced with grievances or allegations of wrongdoing which may require formal investigation.

Reactivation Notice: Pursuant to Practice Direction 55C

Inbrief

07 August 2020

Landlords wishing to proceed with possession action issued before 3 August 2020 and which has been stayed automatically by CPR55.29 must file and serve a written notice (a “reactivation notice”) confirming that they wish the case to be listed, relisted, heard or referred.

Information and consultation

Inbrief

10 July 2020

Employers with at least 50 employees can be required to establish arrangements for informing and consulting their employees on business developments. These arrangements are commonly called ‘works councils’.

Employee share schemes in Hong Kong - an overview

Inbrief

27 May 2020

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Online Sales: how C-19 is changing the logistics landscape, and our top tips for successful logistics arrangements

Inbrief

16 April 2020

C-19 continues to have an unprecedented impact on businesses and is accelerating shift from brick and mortar stores to greater online presence.

Online sales: How Covid-19 is accelerating digital transformation, and our top tips for the successful use of Agile software development

Inbrief

16 April 2020

During and after the C-19 environment, those businesses who adapt what they sell and adapt how they market, sell and deliver their products will be better positioned to survive and grow. The shift from bricks and mortar to online shopping has been going on years. For many, C-19 has accelerated the need for many businesses (both b2c and b2b) to transform their digital platforms. In addition, businesses are having to adapt and make radical changes to their supply chains, including logistics, so as to source and deliver a different mix of products and deliver a greater proportion of products to customer homes instead of to stores or depots.

COVID-19 immigration implications for the UK marketing sector: much ado about… a lot

Inbrief

03 April 2020

One week into the UK’s nationwide lockdown, the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic are beginning to be felt in many major industries, the advertising and marketing sector being no exception. From marketing companies’ ongoing duties as sponsors of foreign migrants to considerations for freelancers, models and influencers, it is vital that immigration issues do not fall to the wayside amidst commercial matters which may feel more pressing.

VAT and income tax deferrals to assist VAT-paying businesses and the self-employed during Covid-19 Outbreak

Inbrief

27 March 2020

As part of the sweeping financial package announced by the Government on 20 March 2020, the Government is offering VAT and income tax deferrals to assist with the cash-flow of VAT-paying businesses and the self-employed. These deferrals are expected to provide over £30bn of additional cash-flow to a wide variety of British businesses.

Building contracts - good practice and inspections

Inbrief

06 August 2019

This guide will look at how employers, contractors and consultants can form, improve and maintain good relationships. Many of these tips are not exclusive to building contracts, but are especially important in construction projects due to the number of parties involved and the often complex nature of the work. Good faith and alliancing provisions are outside of this note.

UK and EU Registered Designs

Inbrief

31 July 2019

What can be protected by a registered design right?

Trade Mark Management

Inbrief

30 July 2019

Lewis Silkin has acknowledged IP expertise across many fields including brand protection and management; advertising, technology, media and entertainment, sports, data and litigation. With over 50 IP lawyers, trade mark attorneys and specialist support staff we work with a wide range of both national and international clients. Our trade mark team is one of the UK’s best, managing global IP portfolios for many household names.

Practical Completion and the Rectification Period

Inbrief

25 July 2019

This guide on delay and completion considers: what is practical completion; the consequences of practical completion either happening or not; the options if practical completion is delayed and obligations arising during and at the end of the Rectification Period.

European Union Trade Mark Opposition Procedure

Inbrief

21 May 2019

The European Union trade mark (“EUTM”) opposition procedure is a process that enables third parties to prevent EUTM applications from achieving registration in certain circumstances.

New gTLD domain

Inbrief

21 May 2019

In one of the most far reaching developments to effect the internet since its creation, in January 2012 ICANN will start the process of releasing potentially hundreds of top level domain names for use by brand owners or as generic references. This presents unparalleled opportunities and risks for all brand owners, and only the best prepared are likely to meet those challenges.

Trade Mark and Domain Name Watch Services

Inbrief

21 May 2019

There is a temptation for trade mark owners to breathe a sigh of relief as they eventually file their trade mark applications. It is often the culmination of months of work searching for any prior rights and perhaps investigating, negotiating, cancelling or acquiring such rights. It is an end, but only to the beginning of a brand’s lifecycle. Once the application is filed, this is when the brand protection programme begins in earnest.

UK Trade Mark Opposition Procedure

Inbrief

21 May 2019

The opposition procedure is a process that enables third parties to prevent trade mark applications from achieving registration in certain circumstances.

LSNetminder - Domain Name Management & Dispute Resolution

Inbrief

21 May 2019

It is now very rare to come across a business without any online presence. As a result, domain names have become a crucial aspect of intellectual property and one which requires careful management. Unauthorised third party registrations are now much more prevalent with fraudulent activity such as phishing and cyber squatting.

Trade Mark ‘Use’ Requirements

Inbrief

21 May 2019

The purpose of a trade mark registration is to protect marks that are either a) in use; b) intended to be used; or c) are not being used, but with a valid reason.