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Parliamentary 'wash up' – which Bills made it through?
On 22 May 2024, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced that a General Election will take place on 4 July 2024. Parliament was then prorogued on 24 May 2024 which allowed a mere 2 days for 'wash up' - the process by which outstanding bills may be rushed through the parliamentary process.
Read moreThe Times recognises RPC among Best Law Firms 2024
International law firm, RPC, has been recognised by The Times in its Best Law Firms 2024 report, an annual ranking of the top 250 law firms in England and Wales.
Read moreSilicon Valley, Signature and Credit Suisse: what do they all share(holder) in common?
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.
Read moreOfcom's 'Roadmap to Regulation' underway with its consultation on illegal harms duties under the Online Safety Act
In November, Ofcom, as new online safety regulator, published the first of four major consultations under the Online Safety Act ("OSA"), which sets out its proposals for how "user-to-user" ("U2U") services (essentially any online website or app that allows users to interact with each other) and online search services (i.e. Google, Bing and similar) should approach their illegal content duties under the new legislation. The consultation provides guidance in a number of areas including governance, content moderation, reporting and complaints mechanisms, terms of service, supporting child users, and user empowerment.
Read moreThe Online Safety Bill is set to become law
The Online Safety Bill will shortly become law in the UK as soon as it receives Royal Assent. The legislation will introduce a new regulatory regime for online platforms and search engines which target the UK, imposing wide-ranging obligations on in-scope services with serious consequences for non-compliance.
Read moreThe Online Safety Bill and the risk of unintended consequences
The Online Safety Bill was reintroduced to Parliament late last year, with new amendments receiving scrutiny in the House of Commons in December, before the bill entered the House of Lords in January. The bill continues to evolve, most notably with the government removing the requirement for user-to-user platforms and search engines to prevent adult users from encountering "legal but harmful" content, instead requiring online platforms to provide users with enhanced content controls (i.e., choice as to what content is seen), and imposing further obligations around transparency and enforcement of online platforms' terms and conditions. "Legal but harmful" obligations remain in place for under 18s. The government has recently agreed to introduce criminal sanctions for senior managers who fail to take proportionate measures to protect children from potentially harmful content.
Read moreCode of Conduct for Leasing of Retail Premises to take effect from 1 February 2024
Following from the passing of the Lease Agreements for Retail Premises Bill which mandates compliance with the Code of Conduct for Leasing of Retail Premises in Singapore ("Code") for qualifying leases of retail premises earlier this year, the Lease Agreements for Retail Premises Act ("Act') is expected to take effect from 1 February 2024.
Read moreProperty Digital Rights – A New Revenue Stream in a Digital World
Advances in technology are opening up exciting new frontiers for property owners and managers. Almost two billion people globally use augmented reality (AR) on their mobile phones and nearly 400 million engage in a virtual metaverse reality.
Read more'Nosecco' is a no-no, says the High Court
In recent years, health and wellbeing has been big business in the UK. The COVID-19 outbreak has only further stoked the desire to obtain and maintain healthy minds and bodies and the trend looks set to continue, across the retail sector.
Read moreNew developments in AI may put law firms at greater risk of phishing fraud
As the computing power of Artificial Intelligence continues to grow exponentially, we consider how generative technology may expand the reach of traditional phishing frauds aimed at law firms.
Read moreTake 10 – 26 July 2024
Welcome to RPC's Media and Communications law update. This month's edition on key media developments and the latest cases.
Read moreTake 10 - 12 July 2024
Welcome to RPC's Media and Communications law update. This month's edition on key media developments and the latest cases.
Read moreTake 10 – 23 May 2024
Welcome to RPC's Media and Communications law update. This month's edition on key media developments and the latest cases.
Read moreMedia & Entertainment
As one of the UK’s strongest media law teams, we work closely with you to tackle any challenges that come your way.
Read moreThe EU’s new General Product Safety Regulation is set to land in December 2024
What do manufacturers and online marketplaces need to think about as the EU General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR) comes into force in December 2024?
Read moreEmpowering consumers through the EU’s Green Transition Directive
What are the enhanced consumers rights arising from the EU’s Directive on Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition (the Empowering Consumers Directive)?
Read moreProduct Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Regulations: a new security regime for smart devices
What does the new cyber security regime mean for “smart” devices in the UK?
Read moreThe EU’s Product Liability Directive expands to cover digital technology
What changes to civil product liability have been implemented by the European Commission for defective digital products and software?
Read moreThe Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act becomes law
What changes will the new Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act bring to the consumer protection and competition regulation landscape?
Read moreThe EU's Green Claims Directive
The EU's proposed Green Claims Directive (GCD) sets out expansive new rules for companies making green claims in the EU.
Read moreConsumer friendly compliance – guidance for retailers and consumer brands on the DMCC Bill
Following receipt of some 372 responses to the "Smarter Regulation: Improving consumer price transparency and product information for consumers" Consultation, the government has published its response in which it proposes significant amends to the Price Marking Order alongside new additions to the DMCC Bill.
Read moreHigher stakes cybercrime – prepare now
Cybercrime continues to increase and shows no signs of stopping.
Read moreFood and beverage 2050: The transition to net zero
Following publication in October 2023 of its final Disclosure Framework for private sector entities to transition to a net zero economy, the TPT published draft Food & Beverage Sector Guidance in November 2023.
Read moreVirtual advertising: a glimpse into the future
Virtual advertising and experiences are transforming the way real world property can be used by turning it into a canvas for digital content.
Read moreThe rise of recommerce
Recommerce (which includes reselling, renting, refilling, repairing or reusing goods) is already an extremely valuable business model, estimated by Barclays to be worth almost £7bn in the UK alone and expected by Visa to increase to £82bn by 2030. This growth – particularly in respect of resale – is widely regarded as being driven by Gen Z consumers, over two thirds of whom now prefer to buy second-hand over new goods, in part, due to sustainability concerns.
Read moreOnline Fraud Charter agreed by largest tech companies
What are the obligations for tech companies that have signed up to the UK’s Online Fraud Charter (the Charter)?
Read moreThe DMCC Bill: New laws set to ban fake reviews and drip pricing from online shopping
What new laws is the UK Government planning to introduce to tackle fake reviews and unfair fees when it comes to online shopping?
Read moreCollective actions under consumer law: proposed amendments to the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill
Are class actions under consumer protection law likely following the UK’s new DMCC Bill, and if so, what will the impact on businesses be?
Read moreGreen claims: key takeaways from the CMA's first investigation
After much anticipation, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has finally published the results of its investigation into green claims made by ASOS, Boohoo and George at Asda. All three retailers have signed undertakings committing to change the way they promote their green credentials and to set up robust internal processes to ensure future green claims are not misleading.
Read moreWhat if the CEO asks me about… the options available for a company facing financial difficulties?
The latest government insolvency statistics highlight that the downturn in the UK economy is still taking a significant toll and the number of UK corporate insolvencies in February 2024 remains high (and 17% higher compared to February 2023).
Read moreProgress on sustainability in fashion: the move to circularity
According to the WRAP report, it is estimated that the fashion and textiles sector accounts for up to 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions and uses 93 billion cubic meters of water each year.
Read more12 top tips for using AI in retail and consumer businesses
Last year, we set out our top ten tips for retailers entering the metaverse. This year, AI is the hot topic in retail and pretty much everywhere else! AI is redefining the retail and consumer industry. It can improve consume engagement, aid decision-making, curate tailored promotions, improve efficiencies, and reduce costs. So what do retailers and consumer bran need to be mindful of when deploying AI?
Read morePlatforms with Irish HQs win EU case to follow Irish law
Do platforms have additional regulatory obligations in EU states, even if they don’t have a registered office there?
Read moreOfcom issues draft guidance and launches consultation on the Online Safety Act 2023
What can platforms expect from Ofcom, as it steps into its new role regulating compliance with the Online Safety Act 2023 (the Act)?
Read moreEuropean consumer group files greenwashing complaint over water bottle recyclability
Will a consumer group complaint about recyclability and the use of green imagery on water bottle packaging be successful in proving a breach of EU regulations against greenwashing? And what will this mean for wider industry using recyclable or recycled packaging?
Read moreLast chance saloon: EU consumers only have one opportunity to withdraw from auto-renewing subscription contracts
When do EU consumers have a right to withdraw from subscription contracts? And how will this differ to the UK’s approach under the new Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill (DMCC)?
Read moreNew Development: European Parliament adopts draft report to address the addictiveness of digital platforms
Earlier this year, the European Parliament published a draft report (the Report) on the addictive design of online services and consumer protection.
Read moreWhat if the CEO asks me about… preparing for new sustainability reporting requirements?
There is an increasingly complex web of sustainability reporting requirements for companies across the world (either in force or in the pipeline). The ISSB standards seek to set a global baseline for sustainability reporting to ensure consistency and comparability of companies' disclosures. With UK implementation of the standards expected next year, retailers and consumer brands should take steps now to prepare. We outline the current plans for sustainability reporting under the ISSB standards in the UK and flag practical steps that businesses should take to prepare.
Read moreArresting times: Significant changes to UK corporate criminal liability and corporate transparency
The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Bill (the Bill) is set to overhaul the existing corporate criminal liability and corporate transparency regimes.
Read moreThe EU Digital Markets Act: a levelling of the playing field?
The Digital Markets Act (the DMA) forms part of the EU’s Digital Services Act package, placing new obligations on “gatekeeper” platforms who offer core platform services to business and end-users established or located in the EU, irrespective of the gatekeepers’ place of establishment, residence, or any national laws applicable to their service.
Read moreDrip pricing, fake reviews and other digital dark arts
The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill (the Bill) is currently at Report Stage in its journey through Parliament. When it comes into force, we will see a significant enhancement of the UK’s consumer protection regime – with a particular focus on maximising transparency to consumers, to help them find better deals and avoid being ripped off.
Read more"Recommended for you" - Data risks in AI-powered customer solutions
Retailers and consumer brands are increasingly using AI online and in stores. Examples of how the technology could be leveraged include generative AI like ChatGPT, the automation of supply chains or the detection of fraud. Data regulators in the UK and EU are starting to catch up to the use of these technologies and making their positions known.
Read moreUK Government u-turns on phasing out “CE” product safety marking
What product safety marks can be used on products in the UK?
Read moreThe Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Act 2023 – a happy new year?
How will the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Act 2023 (the Act) impact UK businesses?
Read moreGovernment consults on improving price transparency and product information for consumers
What does the UK Government’s consultation on Improving Price Transparency and Product Information for Consumers (the Consultation) signal about online choice architecture, and what businesses should be doing now to avoid the risk of fines next year?
Read moreEuropean Parliament publishes draft report on the addictive design of online services
How is the European Parliament looking to combat the exploitation of psychological vulnerabilities through the addictive design of online services?
Read moreNavigating social washing risk – a roadmap
Retailers and consumer brands are increasingly aware of the significant risks associated with “greenwashing”. Those wanting to play in the green space must be able to back up their eco-friendly claims or face the wrath of regulators and consumers. But how many have got to grips with the equivalent business risks of being accused of “social washing”? I suspect significantly fewer. Social washing is the practice of trading off perceived or advertised social credentials which are not reflected in the way the business operates. It’s about putting a black square or #BLM on your social media whilst having no people of colour in any leadership roles. It’s about selling rainbow flag adorned Pride merchandise but letting your trans employees be bullied. Like greenwashing, social washing is about profiting from what you say or project, without backing it up with what you do when no one is watching (or buying). Businesses fail to appreciate this disconnect at their peril, as illustrated beautifully by the Gender Pay Gap bot, set up with this simple mission: “If you tweet about #IWD2023 [International Women’s Day 2023], I’ll retweet your gender pay gap”. In other words, if you tell me yours, I’ll show you yours and you won’t like it.
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