Insights & News

Government considers imposing ‘Duty of Impartiality’ on social media platforms

19 November 2020

It is a lofty ideal to impose a duty of due impartiality on social media platforms. Decisions of where and whether to allow or to block various content on major social media platforms are extremely important. The flow of information, misinformation and disinformation clearly has the power to influence societies and the outcome of elections.

Imposing impartiality on social media is probably impossible: Geraint Lloyd-Taylor writes for The Times

Press

19 November 2020

It is a lofty ideal to impose a duty of due impartiality on social media platforms. Decisions of where and whether to allow or to block various content on popular sites are extremely important, given that the flow of information, misinformation and disinformation clearly has the power to influence societies and the outcome of elections.

Lewis Silkin - How Photography Entrepreneurs Can Protect Their Work From Image Theft - Anna Caruso comments for Forbes

14 September 2020

Digital technology has transformed the world of professional photography and enabled many people to turn a hobby into a successful business. But, while the internet has made it easy for photographers to showcase their images, it has also made it easy for people to steal them to post on their own websites or social media pages. Anna Caruso comments further in this article for Forbes.

Sports Q&A - Launching a new team brand – what do I need to consider?

17 August 2020

The BlackLivesMatters movement has led to sports clubs reconsidering the appropriateness of their team names, mascots and nicknames.

Influencers are unionising – what do you need to know?

17 July 2020

As the power of the influencer increases, as does the importance for brands to not only find the perfect talent for their campaign, but to ensure a happy and long-lasting relationship.

Lewis Silkin writes Ireland chapter of ICLG's "Digital Business 2020"

Press

19 June 2020

Victor Timon, a commercial technology and data privacy partner in our Dublin office, has written the Ireland chapter of ICLG's "Digital Business 2020".

Influencing your relationship: Key points for brands to consider when contracting with an influencer

07 May 2020

Influencers provide brands with an exciting and engaging way to reach audiences. Unlike traditional advertising, when working with influencers brands usually won’t have complete control over the content which is created.

Sky v SkyKick: Sky wins despite finding of bad faith

01 May 2020

Recall a time when government edicts had not yet led to most of the world being forcibly isolated in their homes, a time when the UK had not yet voted to leave the EU, a time when David Cameron was in Number 10 and Barack Obama was in the White House. If you can stretch your mind back that far, you can remember a time before the Sky v SkyKick case hung over the law of trade marks. Well, 4 years later, the battle (subject to any further appeals…) appears to be over. The telecommunications and TV giant perhaps best known for its sports broadcasting, Sky, has emerged from the ring victorious, albeit with a few cuts and bruises to show.

Comparative advertising: what it is and how to manage risk

06 April 2020

In highly competitive industries, the line between extolling the virtues of one’s own product and comparing it with others can be a very fine, and sometimes blurry, one. Most advertisers will make claims about their products. Those claims might be straightforward, such as claims as to battery life, suitability for certain tasks or conditions, or relating to price. Other claims might suggest that the advertiser’s product is the best, cheapest or superior in some other way. There is a category of advertising though that can be much more high stakes – comparative advertising.

EPO and EUIPO extend deadlines in response to COVID-19 pandemic

26 March 2020

As you will have seen, governments across Europe have issued a range of recommendations to reduce the spread of COVID-19. The various IP offices have recognised this will have an impact on the ability of rightsholders/ applicants/ opponents to meet their deadlines, and so each of the UKIPO, the IP Office of Ireland, the EUIPO and the EPO have announced that deadlines will be extended:

Image rights – protection, exploitation and taxation: Alex Kelham and JJ Shaw publish Practice Note on Lexis PSL.

Press

13 January 2020

Alex Kelham and JJ Shaw have partnered with LexisNexis to produce a Practice Note focusing on the commercial protection, exploitation and taxation of image rights in the UK.

Fashion & Copyright: Securing your design

12 December 2019

The recent landmark decision of Cofemel v G-Star Raw, outlines that copyright protection exists for designers across the EU if their works are original. “Originality” is defined as: the own intellectual creation of the author. The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) stated that no additional national legal requirements are needed to bring a claim for copyright infringement, except for originality. The decision should help to unify the approach to EU copyright laws.

Alan Hunt comments for Radio Today: Get your audio business Brexit Ready – travel, data and intellectual property

Press

29 October 2019

Alan Hunt has commented in an article for Radio Today where he share tips on how to prepare yourself and your audio business for Brexit.

UK and EU Registered Designs

Inbrief

31 July 2019

What can be protected by a registered design right?

Ads & Brands Law Digest: August 2019

31 July 2019

Welcome to the August 2019 issue of our monthly Ads & Brands Law Digest.

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.

Alan Hunt comments for IP Pro Magazine: Live-action Lion King remake leaked online

Press

24 July 2019

In an article for IP Pro Magazine, Alan Hunt comments on the news that Disney’s live-action remake of the Lion King has been leaked online by notorious pirate site Tamilrockers.

Steven Jennings comments for The Telegraph: Fraudsters try to cash in on the good name of British legal companies

Press

15 July 2019

Steven Jennings has commented in an article for The Telegraph that discusses how leading British law firms are being targeted by cyber criminals who set up fake email accounts and pose as top lawyers to try to con people and companies out of millions.

Jo Farmer comments for Digiday UK: ‘A lot of the time its intuition’: Marketers continue to struggle with attribution in influencer campaigns

Press

10 July 2019

In an article for Digiday UK, Jo Farmer comments on the challenge that marketers face when tracking influencers business value.