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Silicon Valley, Signature and Credit Suisse: what do they all share(holder) in common?

Published on 28 Mar 2023. By James Wickes, Partner and Oliver Knox, Senior Associate and Jessica Pease, Associate

In what has been termed "the biggest banking crisis since 2008", both Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) and Signature Bank have collapsed, and Credit Suisse has been rescued. Whether more banks are to follow suit is yet to be seen.

M&S v Aldi – lookalike claims lit up by design rights

Published on 24 Mar 2023. By Ciara Cullen, Partner and Harpreet Kaur, Associate and Jack McAlone, Associate

As lookalike products rise in prominence, the Intellectual Property Enterprise Court's (IPEC) recent ruling that the sale and advertisement of Aldi's 'Infusionist' range of favoured gins infringed M&S's UK registered designs protecting the light-up bottles containing its 'Snow Globe' gin range (Marks and Spencer PLC v Aldi Stores Limited [2023] EWHC 178) highlights the utility of registered design rights in circumstances where other intellectual property rights (IPR) are often less able to provide protection.

Sports Ticker (17 March 2023) – Spurs / F1 partnership, Cricket broadcasting rights purchases, and England Athletics' clothing partnership – a speed-read of commercial updates from the sports world

Published on 17 Mar 2023. By Jeremy Drew, Head of Commercial and Joshua Charalambous, Partner and Samuel Coppard, Senior Associate and Joseph Akwaboa, Associate

In a fortnight which saw the England men's rugby team suffer a record defeat to France in the Six Nations, we bring you updates on F1's new partnership with Tottenham Hotspur and broadcast agreements for the IPL and WPL. We also feature the suspension of Gary Lineker from Match of the Day and England Athletics' new clothing partnership.

RPC Insurtech in brief - March 2023

Published on 15 Mar 2023. By Neil Brown, Partner and William Hogarth, Partner and Lauren Murphy, Senior Associate

Welcome to the March 2023 edition of Insurtech in Brief - a selection of the latest insurtech news and developments from across the globe.

Sports Ticker (1 March 2023) – New football regulator, BT Sport and Eurosport merger and LaLiga docuseries – a speed-read of commercial updates from the sports world

Published on 01 Mar 2023. By Jeremy Drew, Head of Commercial and Joshua Charalambous, Partner and Samuel Coppard, Senior Associate and Joseph Akwaboa, Associate

In a fortnight which saw the UK Government present early details of its eagerly awaited plans to regulate the football industry, and the PGA and LPGA announce a new annual mixed-team golfing event, we feature updates on the BT and Eurosport merger, the newly announced Netflix docuseries on LaLiga and the NBA's new live avatar experience app feature.

Sports Ticker (15 February 2023) – Tackle law changes, Man City financial breach allegations and Ford's return to F1 – a speed-read of commercial updates from the sports world

Published on 15 Feb 2023. By Jeremy Drew, Head of Commercial and Joshua Charalambous, Partner and Samuel Coppard, Senior Associate and Joseph Akwaboa, Associate

In a fortnight which saw Kansas City Chiefs defeat the Philadelphia Eagles in a thrilling 38-35 Super Bowl contest, Chelsea's spending spree continue with the signing of Benfica’s Enzo Fernández for British record £106.8m fee, and the completion of Jim O'Toole and James Sandford's purchase of Worcester Warriors (and the various back and forth on what that means for the future of Worcester or Sixways RFC), we bring you updates on Ford's re-entrance into F1, the RFU's decision to seek club guidance on tackle law changes, and more.

Sports Ticker (6 February 2023) – Equal pay in Welsh football, Meta VR sports, and Gloucester Rugby's net zero ambition – a speed-read of commercial updates from the sports world

Published on 06 Feb 2023. By Jeremy Drew, Head of Commercial and Joshua Charalambous, Partner and Samuel Coppard, Senior Associate and Joseph Akwaboa, Associate

In a fortnight which saw the Football Association of Wales reach an equal pay agreement, we feature stories on Meta's foray into the NBA and Rugby World Cup and Team GB's renewal of its licensing agreement. We also bring you updates on Gloucester Rugby's strive for net zero and Sir Jim Ratcliffe's bid for Manchester United.

RPC Insurtech in brief - February 2023

Published on 06 Feb 2023. By Neil Brown, Partner and William Hogarth, Partner and Lauren Murphy, Senior Associate

Welcome to the February 2023 edition of Insurtech in Brief - a selection of the latest insurtech news and developments from across the globe.

Sports Ticker (19 January 2023) – Winter Olympics environmental concerns, FIFA caps agent fees, and YouTube & NFL deal – a speed-read of commercial updates from the sports world

Published on 19 Jan 2023. By Jeremy Drew, Head of Commercial and Joshua Charalambous, Partner and Samuel Coppard, Senior Associate and Joseph Akwaboa, Associate

In a fortnight which saw FIFA publish the anticipated new regulations on football agents, we feature stories on the Winter Olympics decision to delay selection for the 2030 games amidst environmental worries and on Youtube's £11.6bn deal with the NFL. We also bring you updates on Fanatic's decision to divest its 60% stake in NFT company Candy Digital, and reports that LIV Golf may offer UK broadcasting rights for free.

Snapshots Winter 2022

Published on 23 Dec 2022. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner and David Cran, Head of IP & Tech

A roundup of key legal developments for the modern commercial lawyer.

CMA issues guidance on influencer marketing, including #ad for gifts (!)

Published on 23 Dec 2022. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner

What is the CMA’s current stance on influencer marketing? And are they really insisting on #ad for gifts?

HSBC finds itself in hot water over climate change claims

Published on 22 Dec 2022. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner

What does the ASA’s recent ruling on two HSBC adverts tell us about its approach to claims of greenwashing?

Sports Ticker (15 December 2022) – Fury vs Chisora sponsorship, FIFA World Cup viewership and £400m bid for The Hundred – a speed-read of commercial updates from the sports world

Published on 15 Dec 2022. By Jeremy Drew, Head of Commercial and Joshua Charalambous, Partner and Samuel Coppard, Senior Associate and Joseph Akwaboa, Associate

In a fortnight which saw England defeated by France in the Qatar 2022 World Cup quarter-finals, we bring you updates on the £400m bid for The Hundred, EE and EXCEL Esports' sponsorship renewal and BetFred's sponsorship of the Fury v Chisora heavyweight title fight. We also feature updates on beIN MENA's record breaking Qatar 2022 World Cup viewership and the innovative AI generated art based on world cup match outcomes that will become NFTs.

New Digital Regulators on the 2023 Horizon: the Digital Markets Unit and the European Centre for Algorithmic Transparency

Published on 02 Dec 2022. By David Cran, Head of IP & Tech and Chris Ross, Partner and Leonia Chesterfield, Of Counsel

For a number of years, the UK Government has been laying the groundwork to bring in a digital markets regime to regulate digital firms designated as having ‘strategic market status’ (SMS). To be designated as having SMS, a firm must have 'substantial and entrenched market power' in at least one activity. Companies having SMS are likely to include the largest tech firms such as Amazon, Apple, Google, Microsoft and Meta (the so called 'GAMMA' firms).

Sports Ticker (30 November 2022) – new women's F1 academy, government reviews broadcasting of major sporting events and Real Madrid's theme park in Dubai – a speed-read of commercial updates from the sports world

Published on 30 Nov 2022. By Jeremy Drew, Head of Commercial and Joshua Charalambous, Partner and Samuel Coppard, Senior Associate and Joseph Akwaboa, Associate

In a fortnight which saw the Qatar 2022 World Cup kick off, we bring you updates on the launch of a new all-female F1 academy, the announcement of a government review as to whether major sporting events should be free to view, and Sky and Channel 4's deal to broadcast the T20 World Cup. We also cover the development of a Real Madrid theme park in Dubai and record-breaking viewership of USA v England in the World Cup.

RPC Insurtech in brief - November 2022

Published on 17 Nov 2022. By Neil Brown, Partner and William Hogarth, Partner and Lauren Murphy, Senior Associate

Welcome to the November 2022 edition of Insurtech in Brief - a selection of the latest insurtech news and developments from across the globe.

Sports Ticker (16 November 2022) – Hope for Wasps and Worcester, Hamilton's production company and Man City record revenues – a speed-read of commercial updates from the sports world

Published on 16 Nov 2022. By Jeremy Drew, Head of Commercial and Joshua Charalambous, Partner and Samuel Coppard, Senior Associate and Joseph Akwaboa, Associate

In a fortnight which saw the Red Roses fall agonisingly short in a brilliant Women's Rugby World Cup final against hosts New Zealand, and Man United reportedly taking legal advice before responding to Ronaldo's TalkTV interview, we bring you updates on Amazon's sponsorship deal with Sage and BT, and the BBC's acquisition of broadcasting rights for the Billie Jean King Cup. We also cover reports of a Liverpool FC sale and Manchester City's record-breaking revenue.

Lookalikes and passing off—bottle design get-up claim (Au Vodka)

Published on 07 Nov 2022. By Ciara Cullen, Partner and Sarah Mountain, Partner and Samuel Coppard, Senior Associate

Currently there's significant activity in the lookalikes space. The Au Vodka claim (Au Vodka v NE10 Vodka [2022] EWHC 2371), which focuses on bottle design 'get-up', arrived in the courts for an interim injunction hearing in September 2022. Au Vodka's application was dismissed. The judgment shows that passing off—get-up claims based on shape can be challenging to bring, particularly at the interim stage, and prompts the question of whether it's possible to bring Cofemel and copyright into the lookalikes arena.

Sports Ticker (2 November 2022) – McLaren's advertising partnership, Yupp TV T20 rights and European Super League claim – a speed-read of commercial updates from the sports world

Published on 02 Nov 2022. By Jeremy Drew, Head of Commercial and Joshua Charalambous, Partner and Samuel Coppard, Senior Associate and Joseph Akwaboa, Associate

In a fortnight which saw 29 football clubs urge the Government to “save football” with plans for an independent regulator, and Red Bull entering an Accepted Breach Agreement after exceeding the $145m budget cap in 2021 (leaving Mercedes, Ferrari and others reportedly upset with the sanctions), we feature updates on McLaren's digital advertising partnership and YuppTV's exclusive broadcast rights for the ICC T20 World Cup. We also look at the claim being reportedly brought by some of the European Super League clubs against UEFA and FIFA, and Apple's interest in the ATP and WTA tours.

Cyber_Bytes - Issue 46

Published on 01 Nov 2022. By Richard Breavington, Partner and Daniel Guilfoyle, Partner and Ian Dinning, Senior Associate and Rachel Ford, Partner and Christopher Ashton, Senior Associate and Bethan Griffiths, Senior Associate and Laura Thackeray, Senior Associate and Helen Monachan, Associate and Elizabeth Zang, Associate and Emanuele Santella , Associate

Welcome to Cyber_Bytes, our regular round-up of key developments in cyber, tech and evolving risks.

Hype Economics: the haves and the have bots

Published on 01 Nov 2022.

With the most wanted items selling out in the blink of an eye, consumers are leveraging automation to get ahead. Is the use of bots creating more than a moral dilemma for retailers?

Digital services providers—Commission to focus on implementation phase of EU consumer protection legislation

Published on 31 Oct 2022. By David Cran, Head of IP & Tech and Leonia Chesterfield, Of Counsel and Ellie Chakarto, Associate

The Digital Services Act (DSA) and the Digital Markets Act (DMA) are published in the Official Journal and the plenary vote of the European Parliament on the proposed text of the AI Act is expected once amendments are agreed by negotiators. The Commission is now turning its focus to the implementation phase of these landmark regimes. So, what does the future hold for the European tech sector and how might it differ for the UK?

RPC hires Helen Armstrong to grow its award-winning Technology practice

Published on 31 Oct 2022. By Helen Armstrong, Partner

RPC continues its investment in its Tech Disputes offering to support the firm's rapid growth within the technology sector. Armstrong is RPC's 20th new Partner in 2022; mix of lateral hires and internal promotions.

Restructuring Plans – A Sea Change?

Published on 26 Oct 2022. By Paul Bagon, Partner and Will Beck, Of Counsel and Knowledge Lawyer

Ten tips for retailers entering the metaverse

Published on 25 Oct 2022. By Paul Joukador, Partner and Hettie Homewood , Senior Associate

Once the province of online gaming and social media, the metaverse is the new hot topic in retail.

Sports Ticker ( 20 October 2022) - Shell's cycling partnership, F1 budget breach and Wasps administration – a speed-read of commercial updates from the sports world

Published on 20 Oct 2022. By Jeremy Drew, Head of Commercial and Joshua Charalambous, Partner and Samuel Coppard, Senior Associate and Joseph Akwaboa, Associate

In a fortnight which saw Max Verstappen named F1 World Champion and amendments to ICAS' sports-related arbitration rules, we feature updates on the partnership deal reached between Shell and British Cycling, Wasps entering administration and the consequential redundancies, the £120m takeover of Bournemouth AFC and controversy over findings that Red Bull has reportedly breached F1's budgeting caps.

RPC scores top rankings in Chambers UK 2023

Published on 20 Oct 2022. By Kimberley Nanson, Senior PR & External Communications Manager

RPC has achieved top ranking in nine practice areas in Chambers UK 2023.

RPC Insurtech in brief - October 2022

Published on 12 Oct 2022. By Neil Brown, Partner and William Hogarth, Partner and Lauren Murphy, Senior Associate

Welcome to the October 2022 edition of Insurtech in brief - a selection of the latest insurtech news and developments from across the globe.

The EU Digital Markets Act - a focus on gatekeeper obligations and sanctions

Published on 12 Oct 2022. By David Cran, Head of IP & Tech and Leonia Chesterfield, Of Counsel and Joshy Thomas, Knowledge Lawyer

What key obligations will the Digital Markets Act (DMA) impose on online platforms designated as gatekeepers?

The Metaverse, green claims and data privacy – what critical issues lie ahead for retailers and consumer brands in Autumn 2022?

Published on 12 Oct 2022. By Jeremy Drew, Head of Commercial and Karen Hendy, Head of Corporate and Ciara Cullen, Partner

International law firm RPC launches the latest edition of Retail Compass

European Parliament adopts the Digital Markets Act and the Digital Services Act

Published on 10 Oct 2022. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner

What are the next steps in the legislative timelines for the Digital Markets Act (DMA) and the Digital Services Act (DSA) and what should companies be doing now to prepare?

UK announces new copyright exemption for text and data mining to promote AI development

Published on 10 Oct 2022. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner

What does the UK Government’s response to its consultation on Intellectual Property (IP) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) mean for text and data mining?

Ofcom prepares for implementation of Online Safety Bill

Published on 10 Oct 2022. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner

How and when does Ofcom expect to carry out its new regulatory function for online safety created by the Online Safety Bill?

UK Government sets out proposals for regulation of AI

Published on 10 Oct 2022. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner

What are the UK Government’s plans for the future regulation of artificial intelligence (AI)?

Snapshots Autumn 2022

Published on 10 Oct 2022. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner

A roundup of key legal developments for the modern commercial lawyer.

The EU Accessibility Act

Published on 10 Oct 2022. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner

What obligations will the EU Accessibility Act place on companies that manufacture or provide in-scope products and services?

Value of investments into European sport increases 433% to £9.6bn in past year

Published on 07 Oct 2022. By Jeremy Drew, Head of Commercial and Joshua Charalambous, Partner

• Total number of deals has increased 28% to 37 in past 12 months • Four £1bn+ deals in the last year, including sales of Chelsea and AC Milan • Women’s football and boxing seen as areas of growth

Vertical Agreements: The New Reality

Published on 07 Oct 2022. By Melanie Musgrave, Of Counsel

For those operating in the retail sector (amongst others), 1st June 2022 saw changes to the UK and EU competition law rules and the "safe harbour" or exemption from the application of competition law for certain types of vertical agreements, i.e. for contractual parties operating at different levels of the supply chain.

Hong Kong's enhanced e-reporting system for internet fraud

Published on 06 Oct 2022. By Jonathan Crompton, Partner

On 19 September 2022, the Hong Kong Police Force announced its upgraded e-reporting system for internet crimes and frauds, which aims to improve the processing and analysing of cyber crimes.

Sports Ticker (6 October 2022) – Apple's NFL deal, struggling rugby clubs and Olympic boxing in danger – a speed-read of commercial updates from the sports world

Published on 06 Oct 2022. By Jeremy Drew, Head of Commercial and Joshua Charalambous, Partner and Samuel Coppard, Senior Associate and Joseph Akwaboa, Associate

In a fortnight which saw Apple strike a $50m annual deal with the NFL, we feature updates on a damages claim by fans following the chaos at the UEFA Champions League final, the financial difficulties facing Wasps and Worcester Warriors, West Brom's Women's team's important decision to play in navy (rather than white) shorts to ease concerns players may have about being or coming on their period whilst playing, and the possibility that boxing will not feature at the 2028 Summer Olympics.

Six-cess! RPC recognised as top-tier firm across six areas in The Legal 500 UK 2023

Published on 29 Sep 2022. By Kimberley Nanson, Senior PR & External Communications Manager

The 2023 edition of the Legal 500 UK rankings has been released and we are delighted with the latest results.

Cyber_Bytes - Issue 45

Published on 29 Sep 2022. By Richard Breavington, Partner and Daniel Guilfoyle, Partner and Ian Dinning, Senior Associate and Rachel Ford, Partner and Christopher Ashton, Senior Associate and Bethan Griffiths, Senior Associate and Laura Thackeray, Senior Associate and Helen Monachan, Associate and Elizabeth Zang, Associate and Emanuele Santella , Associate

Welcome to Cyber_Bytes, our regular round-up of key developments in cyber, tech and evolving risks.

Sports Ticker (22 September 2022) - sport pays respect to the Queen, F1 Shake-ups & rugby's gender equality partnership – a speed-read of commercial updates from the sports world'

Published on 22 Sep 2022. By Jeremy Drew, Head of Commercial and Joshua Charalambous, Partner and Samuel Coppard, Senior Associate and Joseph Akwaboa, Associate

In a fortnight which saw the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, we provide an update on how the sporting world reacted. We also feature updates on Audi's bid to enter Formula 1, Word Rugby's gender equality driven collaboration, Guild Esports' renewed partnership with Samsung and Saatchi & Saatchi's deal with the NBA to become its European advertising partner.

RPC's growing Singapore office welcomes new Tech Partner

Published on 08 Sep 2022. By Nicholas Lauw, Partner

• The move is driven by growing client demand and the firm's ambition to grow its award-winning international Technology practice to support its clients' commercial needs. • RPC has now hired 8 Partners in 2022, in addition to promoting 10 new Partners at the beginning of May, across Hong Kong, Singapore, London and Bristol.

Sports Ticker: ITV's NFL and LaLiga coverage, AJ Bell Tour of Britain and PGA Tour updates - a speed-read of commercial updates from the sports world

Published on 26 Aug 2022. By Jeremy Drew, Head of Commercial and Joshua Charalambous, Partner and Samuel Coppard, Senior Associate and Joseph Akwaboa, Associate

In a fortnight which saw Olympique Lyonnais snatch-up the 2022 Women's International Championships Cup following a 4-0 win over C.F.Monterrey, we feature updates on Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy's new golf league to be launched in collaboration with the PGA Tour and the results of the 2022 European Championships. We also provide updates on ITV's expansion of its broadcasting rights to the NFL and LaLiga, Arsenal's extended partnership with the Japanese video game company Konami and Sir Lewis Hamilton's share in the NFL's Denver Broncos. As always, if there are any issues on which you'd like more information (or if you have any questions or feedback), please do let us know or get in touch with your usual contact at RPC.

Cyber_Bytes - Issue 44

Published on 26 Aug 2022. By Richard Breavington, Partner and Daniel Guilfoyle, Partner and Ian Dinning, Senior Associate and Rachel Ford, Partner and Christopher Ashton, Senior Associate and Bethan Griffiths, Senior Associate and Laura Thackeray, Senior Associate and Helen Monachan, Associate and Elizabeth Zang, Associate and Emanuele Santella , Associate

Welcome to Cyber_Bytes, our regular round-up of key developments in cyber, tech and evolving risks.

Netflix files lawsuit over 'Unofficial Bridgerton Musical'

Published on 24 Aug 2022. By Ela Broderick-Basar, Associate

On 29 July, Netflix filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court in Washington D.C. against two TikTok stars, Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear, alleging that their Grammy-winning “The Unofficial Bridgerton Musical” project infringed the hit show's intellectual property rights.

European Parliament formally adopts Digital Services Act

Published on 16 Aug 2022. By David Cran, Head of IP & Tech and Sophie Tuson, Senior Associate and Joshy Thomas, Knowledge Lawyer

Following provision political agreement by the Council and the European Parliament in April 2022, on 5 July 2022 the European Parliament formally adopted the Digital Services Act (DSA). The DSA has yet to be adopted by the Council.

Sports Ticker (11 August 2022) - Sports Ticker: rugby authorities' revamp, UFC's Amazon deal and Commonwealth victories – a speed-read of commercial updates from the sports world' to the website and social media channels

Published on 11 Aug 2022. By Jeremy Drew, Head of Commercial and Joshua Charalambous, Partner and Samuel Coppard, Senior Associate and Joseph Akwaboa, Associate

In a fortnight which saw England win the Women's Euro 2022 final after beating Germany 2-1 in front of 87,192 fans at Wembley, and retirement announcements from Open Era record holder and 23 times Grand Slam winner Serena Williams and four time F1 World Champion Sebastian Vettel, we feature updates on Everton FC's partnership with blockchain fashion platform Fancurve, organisational changes to the Hong Kong Rugby Union and World Rugby and LeBron James' investment into German bicycle brand Canyon.

Solana hack could lead to claims against its developers and service providers

Published on 10 Aug 2022. By Christopher Whitehouse, Senior Associate and Dan Wyatt, Partner

A cyberattack on Solana, which has resulted in the wallets of 8,000 customers being drained, could potentially lead to claims being taken against its software developers and third-party service providers, says international law firm RPC.