Insights & News

Preparing to issue proceedings

Inbrief

26 April 2017

This note provides general guidance on the steps to consider prior to embarking on litigation. There are a number of practical considerations that should be taken into account. The civil justice system in England expects parties to take a certain number of steps before issuing proceedings. This guide runs through these matters in outline.

Introductory guide to data sharing

Inbrief

11 April 2017

Most organisations carry out some form of data sharing, whether it be data sharing between organisations within the group or with external third parties. However, if the data being shared by an organisation is “personal data”, additional steps need to be taken to ensure the sharing of such personal data is lawful.

Introductory guide to using data to market to customers

Inbrief

11 April 2017

The development of new technologies has significantly enhanced the ability of organisations to collect and process information about individuals, often with wide-reaching benefits. From a marketing perspective, it is now far easier to know more about your customers. This has also highlighted the importance of safeguards being put in place, particularly given concerns about that information being used in unwarranted and intrusive ways.

An agency guide to trade mark searching

Inbrief

20 January 2017

Whenever a new launch is proposed, whether it is for a product, brand, business name or an advertising campaign, there is always a risk that someone else is already using an identical or a similar name or design.

An agent’s guide to athlete trade marks

Inbrief

20 January 2017

Sportsmen and women invest massive amounts of time and energy into perfecting their sporting prowess. As an agent, your role is to invest your time and energy into their well-being, to nurture their income generating potential, and protect their image and reputation.

Image rights

Inbrief

27 November 2016

Famous sportspeople, entertainers and other celebrities derive substantial incomes from allowing themselves to be commercially associated with brands. It is big business, very big business, and because of this celebrities are faced with two very different problems.

Any more BIDs

Inbrief

20 November 2016

Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) are partnerships between local businesses and local authorities which aim to improve defined commercial trading areas by providing additional services funded collectively by business rate payers.

An introduction to trade marks in the UK

Inbrief

17 November 2016

A trade mark registration provides the most effective form of protection against improper use of a business name, brand, logo or slogan by a competitor.

Protect against Defamation and Privacy actions

Inbrief

15 November 2016

The law of defamation and also the law of privacy is at a watershed. Since the beginning of 2010 the media have stepped up their campaign for a change in our laws, for more flexibility and a greater ability for freedom of expression to be paramount. This has been much more evident since the Human Rights Act 1998 incorporated the European Convention of Human Rights. This inbrief is intended to show how best to try and avoid a letter before action and a claim, when legal advice is appropriate and what to do when you get a complaint.

Short-term lettings

Inbrief

08 November 2016

If you are looking for new short-term premises for your business, did you know that there are actually a whole range of legal forms a short-term letting can take? This Inbrief sets out the different options available for short-term occupation of business premises and considers the advantages and disadvantages associated with each.

Brazilian Olympic Act: a last minute hurdle for ambushers

Inbrief

07 July 2016

With the Rio Olympic Games just around the corner, there have been concerns about the country’s readiness to play host to the competition, its athletes and scores of fans. Issues around stadium safety and anti-doping policies have been at the forefront of the debate, but there has also been, until very recently, a distinct lack of clarity for brands and sponsors planning marketing activities in Brazil in the lead up to the Games.

Defamation & Malicious Falsehood

Inbrief

19 April 2016

Reputation protection which embodies our law of defamation has become increasingly important. Together with the law of privacy, including confidentiality, reputation protection is a vital right for individuals and corporations, especially the advertising industry where image and celebrity rights attract so much attention.

Trade Mark Watch Services

Inbrief

21 February 2016

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.

Framework Agreements

Inbrief

26 August 2015

Framework agreements offer a potential solution as contracting authorities attempt to minimise the impact of the Public Contract Regulations 2006 on their business.

Social Media and Online Issues - Defamation and Privacy

Inbrief

19 July 2015

Online publishing via social media is now instant, free and easily accessible. Anyone can publish content without much in the way of control or the input of an in-house legal team to veto high risk content. Such freedom and accessibility raises issues for online publishers who face the possibility of claims of defamation and breach of privacy.

The Law of Privacy

Inbrief

07 June 2015

The protection of privacy which embodies our law of confidentiality has become increasingly important. Together with the law of defamation, privacy and confidentiality are vital rights for individuals and corporations, especially when well known figures and celebrities attract so much attention.

Online content: risks and rewards

Inbrief

05 June 2015

With digital content becoming ever more popular and users becoming more sophisticated, all those involved in the online publishing industry need to be aware of the risks that come with the rewards of digital content.

How to Protect your Format

Inbrief

26 April 2015

This paper is based on that extensive experience, and sets out a number of practical steps that you can take to make the protection of television formats easier for those that have invested substantial time and money in their creation.

The Bribery Act 2010 and its impact on the advertising industry

Inbrief

26 April 2015

It has been called the ‘toughest bribery legislation in the world’ and has been rumoured to spell the end for corporate hospitality, media rebates and the client lunch, but what are the real implications of the Bribery Act 2010 for the advertising industry?

Contests, games and draws: The UK sales promotion law

Inbrief

15 April 2015

The Gambling Act 2005, which came into force on 1st September 2007, includes a number of provisions that impact directly upon the legality of promotional contests, games and draws in the UK. It does not extend to Northern Ireland, however, which can have significant consequences.