Tech, IP & Digital Rights

We provide specialist data protection advice to companies, public bodies and business owners operating both in the UK and internationally.

Our clients rely on us to guide them through their compliance obligations, how to manage and secure data, and how this links with privacy laws, public disclosure requirements and their ability to create, utilise and transfer data which they aggregate in all forms relating to their storage of information, their websites, and the publications they produce.

We also have expertise in dealing with data and privacy disputes,  including acting for individuals whose data has been misused, and protecting businesses from a regulatory and reputation management perspective in response to data breaches.

We advise start-ups, scale-ups and listed companies, including digital agencies, UK publishers and media companies, web-based service companies and national charities.  We provide specialist advice from conventional tech and online advice to FinTech, EdTech and RetailTech, and cover the latest tech developments from bots to quantum computing.

We have particular expertise in tech and online agreements, app development and managed services and advise on all aspects of consumer and business issues, as well as data protection.

We work closely with tech entrepreneurs, founders, and senior management of established tech companies and advise on restructuring, employee share options, fundraising, and joint ventures as well as  helping them to negotiate exit and sale often to private equity houses, and US and other international investors.

Simon Halberstam is head of the Technology team. His work is focused on the drafting and negotiation of contracts for those providing or procuring technology or digital services. He also acts in domain name disputes and advises on other aspects of Intellectual Property. In addition, he provides guidance to companies wishing to set up online gambling operations either in the UK or targeted at UK consumers.

Senior Associate, Raoul Lumb is a specialist commercial technology lawyer who has clients ranging from start-ups to listed multinational companies, including software developers, digital agencies, virtual reality producers, crowdfunding platforms and online gaming services. Raoul regularly appears on the BBC as an expert commentator on technology issues.

Led by Maninder Gill, our team is a market leader in terms of acting for brands, retailers and rights owners in advising them on all aspects of IP and brand protection.  We offer deep industry experience in preparing all forms of commercial IP agreements, from licenses, sponsorship agreements and franchising to trademark registration, advice and enforcement.

We are experienced in litigating in the Intellectual Property Enterprise Court (IPEC), including in the Small Claims Track, and have a successful track record in obtaining judgments quickly and cost efficiently.

We work with clients both in the UK and globally and take action on their behalf to stop infringement, remove content from websites and other promotional materials, and to claim unpaid royalties.

Our clients range from retailers, manufacturers and financial services firms, to celebrities, photographers, photographic agencies, and football clubs all of whom rely on us to protect their portfolios of IP assets.

We are experts in advising on all aspects of broadcasting and content distribution.

We advise media and sports clients on all forms of traditional and new media distribution. Recent work includes acting for major UK and overseas television platforms in channel carriage and content licence agreements and advising a major broadcast group upon its commercial strategy within the UK market.

We have worked on tenders and assisted leading clients in the industry including Virgin Media, AMC Networks International, UKTV, Econet Media (a multi-platform Pay TV service in Africa) and TRT.

We have a unique and leading practice that helps household-name brands build and develop national and international networks. Relying on cross-departmental strength, we act for top public schools, restaurant chains, fashion brands and retailers of all types at all stages of brand development.

We also advise companies and public bodies domiciled in Singapore, Denmark, UAE, and China, in addition to a number of market-leading organisations based in the UK on cross-border matters.

We have a team of industry experts with significant in-house experience, enabling us to give informed, pragmatic advice. Maninder Gill, head of the department, was previously Legal Director of a publishing powerhouse and a global luxury fashion store. He has niche franchising expertise in the specialist areas of publishing and education sectors, having franchised a number of leading publications and schools. Partner, Natalie Wright, has worked alongside retail clients for over ten years and is especially experienced in the beauty industry and in franchising.  Associates Raoul Lumb and Ben Ifrah advise on a range of licensing matters.

The team are regularly called upon to speak at retail and franchising conferences in the UK and overseas.

“Maninder is very experienced in interpreting franchise and trade mark laws in various business situations. He provides clear and practical advice and is very flexible on timeframes.” Chambers & Partners, 2021

“The team is welcoming and approachable, making it easy to ask questions – even though everybody is busy, they always have time for you.” Legal 500, 2021