Technology

Our international TMT sector team advises some of the world’s largest technology companies. Our clients include smartphone and other consumer device manufacturers, social media and other platforms, IT services companies, software licensors and cloud service providers.

Our team of technology savvy lawyers have a close knowledge of the current issues and developments in the technology space - the changing technology, the economic drivers, the commercial concerns and business context.

The fast pace of change in the technology sector means that we find ourselves constantly advising on the cutting edge. Our experience includes advising on things like: artificial intelligence, blockchain and cryptocurrency, gaming and esports, connected and autonomous vehicles, robotics and smart cities.

Our sector focus also enables us to be at the heart of digital transformation and disruption in other sectors. Our technology team combines with our expertise in the Financial and Asset Management sectors and Healthcare and Life Sciences sector to offer market leading FinTech and Digital Health legal and regulatory services.

Our core services include:

• Competition – advice on compliance with competition rules, including dealing with competition investigations brought by the national authorities and the European Commission, obtaining competition clearance for corporate transactions and defending and bringing competition based litigation claims
• Compliance / regulation – advice on technology-related compliance matters such as IoT, AI, Distributed Ledger Technology in both developed and in emerging markets. Our Technology compliance work also extends to advising on internal compliance matters (including ABAC) for technology businesses globally.
• Commercial contracts – advice on complex commercial contracts to bring together international standards seen across the US, Europe, Middle East and Asia at a global standard level. We advise on the full range of technology sourcing matters for both vendors and customers and for both public sector and private sector clients.
• Data / cyber security – advice on GPDR and wider data regulation compliance, data commecialisation, authority investigations, complaints and claims and processes associated with the exercise of individuals’ rights. We also advise on data and cyber security incidents – prevention, planning and incident management.
• Disputes – advice on resolving disputes through litigation, arbitration or ADR. We advise on all stages of bringing or defending a claim, as well as steps to be taken before or during the process to negotiate a settlement
• Employment – advice on employment documentation, business protection, employee benefits, talent management, restructuring/reductions in force, works councils/unions, sensitive investigations, whistleblowing, harassment and related litigation
• Finance / insolvency – advice on debt and equity financing, securitisation and dealing with insolvency and corporate recovery
• Gaming / esports – advice on restructuring intellectual property assets, esports player professional services agreements, and the regulatory treatment of loot boxes and in-game virtual currencies
• Infrastructure – advising vendors, customers and ancillary service providers (including major cloud service providers and data centre businesses) on adoption of the technology and deployment methods
• Intellectual Property – “one-stop, international shop” for IP services – from registration of brands, designs and patents; to advising on IP transactions, collaborations and FRAND licences; regulatory advice; and leading cutting-edge technology disputes involving patents, copyright, designs and trade-secrets.
• International Trade – advice on export control, movement of goods and services and controls on foreign direct investment
• M&A, JVs, fundraisings and corporate governance – advice and support on private and public acquisitions, investment and divestment transactions, joint ventures and strategic alliances, partnerships and collaborations and equity and debt capital markets, as well as the requirements of good governance
• Tax – advice across the full range of taxes focusing on corporate tax, transfer pricing, VAT, employment tax and the developing digital services tax landscape. Specialist expertise in the direct/indirect taxation relating to IP, as well as the indirect taxation of consumer technology and associated finance products.

We have created a series of byte-sized TechNotes summarising the legal challenges posed by the disruptive technologies that are revolutionising business today.