Insights & News

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.

Managing ill health and disability

Inbrief

06 September 2016

The management of ill health and disability raises problems that employers have to grapple with on a daily basis. Minimising the cost and inconvenience of ill health in the workforce, whilst ensuring compliance with legal obligations, requires both a clear understanding of the relevant legal principles and a co-ordinated approach.

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.

Protecting your reputation via your legal and regulatory rights

Inbrief

05 April 2015

“The exercise of restraint over the media by means of the threat and/or use of all available legal and regulatory mechanisms” - The deinition of Meda Management

TRADER ALERT: Consumer Law Changes - Are You Ready for 13 June 2014...?

Inbrief

19 May 2014

If you trade with consumers, you should read on! The (somewhat indelicately named) Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations come into force on 13 June 2014. They implement part of the Consumer Rights Directive and contain important changes.

Guernsey Image Rights

Inbrief

26 September 2013

Famous sportspeople, entertainers The Bailiwick of Guernsey, the small British Crown dependency in the English Channel known as an offshore tax haven, has achieved a ‘world first’ by establishing a unique registered image rights regime.

A New Era for Consumer Rights

Inbrief

19 September 2013

It has long been recognised that UK consumer law is not clear enough. Even the Department for Business Innovation & Skills (BIS) website says it is out of date, confusing and incomplete.

Software apps and patent trolls: Should you be afraid?

Inbrief

01 February 2012

For a very long time there has been a debate as to whether software is better protected by copyright or by patents.

Ambush Marketing

Inbrief

20 November 2010

With businesses at times paying many millions to associate themselves with an event it is not surprising that their competitors engage in ‘ambush marketing’.