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Perspective - Blog

The November 2023 AI safety summit and the UK's direction of travel

Published on 29 Aug 2023. By Helen Armstrong, Partner and Charles Buckworth, Partner and Joshy Thomas, Knowledge Lawyer

The government has confirmed that the UK AI safety summit will be held at Bletchley Park on 1 and 2 November 2023.

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Perspective - Blog

Virtual billboards: the future of immersive advertising?

Published on 15 Jan 2024. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner and Elizabeth Alibhai, Partner and Nick Lauw, Partner

With the deployment of immersive technologies poised to become the norm, the implementation of infrastructure for "virtual billboards", and the "property digital rights" which they demand, is demonstrating a lucrative gap in the market and huge growth potential.

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Perspective - Blog

AI technology projects – the regulatory landscape

Published on 24 Feb 2023. By Helen Armstrong, Partner and Ricky Cella, Senior Associate and Joshy Thomas, Knowledge Lawyer

Parties engaged in AI technology projects should be mindful of the regulatory landscape, and the changes taking place within it. A failure to do so could result in an AI solution that is not compliant from a regulatory perspective, the use of which potentially creates risk for the technology provider and user.

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Perspective - Blog

Accessory liability: when will directors be held liable for IP infringements committed by their companies – and what is counted as "profits"?

Published on 20 Jun 2024. By Emma Dunnill, Senior Associate and Rory Graham, Associate

The Supreme Court in Lifestyle Equities CV & Anor v Ahmed & Anor [2024] UKSC 17, has allowed an appeal by two company directors who were found liable as accessories to trade mark infringement by the company in which they were directors. The decision provides helpful clarification on the required elements for accessory liability in the context of IP right infringement claims and confirms the sums to be included in an account of profits if liability is established (spoiler alert: a director's salary is not considered to be "profit").

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Perspective - Blog

Online platforms should Swatch out: Samsung found liable for infringing third-party content available on the Samsung Galaxy App store

Published on 22 Jan 2024. By Sarah Mountain, Partner and Emma Dunnill, Senior Associate and Zoe Harvey, Associate

The Court of Appeal in Montres Breguet SA v Samsung Electronics [2023] EWCA Civ 1478 has dismissed Samsung's appeal and upheld a first instance decision which found it liable for trade mark infringement in relation to third-party watch faces available on the Samsung Galaxy App store. This judgment provides guidance on what constitutes "use" of a sign by an online app store and the applicability of the e-Commerce Directive hosting defence.

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Perspective - Blog

Telecoms supply agreement excludes "loss of profit" claim under "anticipated profits" liability exclusion (EE v Virgin Mobile)

Published on 25 Aug 2023. By Helen Armstrong, Partner and Ben Harris, Associate and Joshy Thomas, Knowledge Lawyer

In line with a number of recent cases, in EE Limited v Virgin Mobile Telecoms Limited [2023] EWHC 1989 (TCC) the courts have shown that parties generally cannot avoid clear wording contained in exclusion clauses in order to recover losses that have been expressly excluded (in this case, loss of profits).

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Perspective - Blog

Rolls-Royce entitled to hit the brakes in dispute over termination of a software services agreement (Topalsson v Rolls-Royce)

Published on 14 Aug 2023. By Helen Armstrong, Partner and Ben Harris, Associate and Joshy Thomas, Knowledge Lawyer

In Topalsson GmbH v Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Limited [2023] EWHC 1765 (TCC), the High Court has provided useful guidance on how to determine whether a software implementation timeline agreed by the parties is binding, when implementation is considered complete and in what circumstances failing to complete implementation by the contractual deadlines entitles the customer to terminate the contract.

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Perspective - Blog

A narrow escape – software services provider entitled to rely on single aggregate liability cap (Drax v Wipro)

Published on 25 Jul 2023. By Helen Armstrong, Partner and Ben Harris, Associate and Joshy Thomas, Knowledge Lawyer

When it comes to bespoke software development projects, a lot can go wrong. There's risk for the customer such as project delays, software defects, functionality issues and a lack of meeting of minds in terms of project requirements.

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Perspective - Blog

The Sky's the limit for trade mark applications. Or is it?

Published on 12 Jul 2023. By Sarah Mountain, Partner and Ellie Chakarto, Associate and Noonie Holmes, Associate

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Perspective - Blog

Changes to the One Stop Shop

Published on 09 Oct 2023. By Richard Breavington, Partner and Laura Thackeray, Senior Associate

In July 2023 the European Commission issued a Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council laying down additional procedural rules relating to the enforcement of Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (the 'GDPR' Regulations).

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Perspective - Blog

UK Government wants understanding of video games to move to the next level

Published on 12 Jun 2023. By Gowri Chandrashekar, Senior Associate and Zoe Harvey, Associate

On 30 May 2023, the UK Government published a Video Games Research Framework which encourages research on video games and emerging game-related technologies.

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Perspective - Blog

RPC Law x Web3: Gambling regulations – Don't Play Games of Chance with the Law

Published on 22 Feb 2023. By Nick Lauw, Partner and Pu Fang Ching, Senior Associate

This is part of a series of RPC x Web3 articles designed to help Web3 participants and enthusiasts understand their rights in this rapidly evolving space.

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Perspective - Blog

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, Partner, 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).

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Perspective - Blog

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

Published on 31 Oct 2022. By David Cran, Partner, 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?

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Perspective - Blog

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

Published on 12 Oct 2022. By David Cran, Partner, 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?

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Perspective - Blog

CMA ends its investigation into online console gaming subscription practices

Published on 14 Jun 2022. By Jonathan Greenway, Senior Associate and Joshua Charalambous, Partner

The UK Competition Markets Authority (CMA) has now closed its investigation into subscription practices in the online console gaming sector after key players Sony, Nintendo and Microsoft committed to making improvements to their contract terms with a view to better protecting customers.

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Perspective - Blog

AI in Construction

Published on 16 Jul 2024. By Georgina Haynes, Senior Associate

There is a lot of discussion around Artificial Intelligence ("AI") and its application to industry. We have considered what AI is, the benefits and risks, how it fits into the construction industry, the effect on insurers and what the future holds.

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Perspective - Blog

AI in auditing: Embracing a new age for the profession

Published on 08 Jul 2024. By Ash Daniells, Senior Associate

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a rather new concept for many (ignoring those versed in 80’s Sci-Fi movies); it’s something many don’t know much about and certainly don’t use in our day-to-day lives (or at least appreciate we are using). However, that’s not the case for everyone. Auditors have long been reaping the benefits of AI, but are auditors just scratching the surface of what AI can offer and what impact will an increased use have on their insurance requirements and claims they face?

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Perspective - Blog

Navigating the impact of AI on work: challenges, opportunities, and the human touch

Published on 20 Mar 2024. By Patrick Brodie, Partner

The fear of job losses because of technology and automation, including artificial intelligence, has been with us since the 1960s. For some time, academics have predicted the decline of routine, rules-based and process-driven roles.

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Perspective - Blog

Thaler v Comptroller [2023] UKSC 49: the UKSC rules that AI cannot be an 'inventor'

Published on 10 Jan 2024. By Matthew Jones, Partner

To the surprise of no one, the UK Supreme Court (UKSC) has finally ruled that an artificial intelligence (AI) cannot be an inventor for the purposes of UK patent law. This judgment accords with the decisions of the lower courts in the UK and the initial ruling of the UKIPO. It also reflects similar findings from most of courts around the world where the claimant, Dr Thaler, brought similar actions.

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Perspective - Blog

12 top tips for using AI in retail and consumer businesses

Published on 18 Dec 2023. By Praveeta Thayalan, Knowledge Lawyer

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?

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Perspective - Blog

Coming to a bank near you? How "investment AI" could transform financial mis-selling claims

Published on 09 Nov 2023. By Daniel Hemming, Partner and Olivia Dhein, Knowledge Lawyer

Living under a rock is probably the only way anyone might have escaped the media attention given to ChatGPT and generative AI in recent months. Beyond the (considerable) hype, this technology could have a profound impact on financial mis-selling claims where financial institutions and fund managers turn to the new technology to help them select investments and products.

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Perspective - Blog

EU AI ACT-ion stations

Published on 29 Sep 2023. By Helen Armstrong, Partner and Charles Buckworth, Partner

The EU is forging ahead with its vision for AI. With wrapping up talks on the EU AI Act between the EU governments, the Commission and the parliamentary negotiators imminent, we bring you up to date on the EU's risk based approach, the scope of the Act, a timeline, key points that will form the basis of the discussions and next steps.

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Perspective - Blog

What To Know About AI Fraudsters Before Facing Disputes

Published on 29 Aug 2023. By Dan Wyatt, Partner and Christopher Whitehouse, Senior Associate

Fraudsters are quick to weaponise new technological developments and artificial intelligence is proving no exception, with AI-assisted scams increasingly being reported in the news, including most recently one using a likeness of a BBC broadcaster.

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Perspective - Blog

The "Unicorn Kingdom's" AI White Paper

Published on 12 May 2023. By Helen Armstrong, Partner and Ricky Cella, Senior Associate and Joshy Thomas, Knowledge Lawyer

The UK's pro-innovation AI White paper has been published. It landed almost simultaneously with an open letter from the Future of Life Institute which called for a six-month halt in work on AI systems more powerful than the generative AI system: GPT-4.

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Perspective - Blog

Generative AI and intellectual property rights—the UK government's position

Published on 03 May 2023. By Helen Armstrong, Partner and Jani Ihalainen, Associate and Joshy Thomas, Knowledge Lawyer

The IPO is to produce a code of practice by the summer that will provide guidance to support AI firms in accessing copyright protected works as an input to their models.

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Perspective - Blog

New developments in AI may put law firms at greater risk of phishing fraud

Published on 28 Apr 2023. By Will Sefton, Partner and Head of Professional and Financial Risks and Tom Morris, Associate

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.

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Perspective - Blog

Understanding and managing the risks in artificial intelligence (AI) technology projects

Published on 12 Apr 2023. By Helen Armstrong, Partner and Ricky Cella, Senior Associate and Joshy Thomas, Knowledge Lawyer

How do you go about managing the risks and challenges that might arise during the deployment of AI technology?

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Perspective - Blog

Tribunal confirms no tax due on disposal of property held on trust for taxpayer's brother

Published on 18 Jul 2024. By Keziah Mastin, Associate

In Raveendran v HMRC [2024] UKFTT 273 (TC), the First-tier Tribunal allowed the taxpayer's appeal against HMRC's discovery assessment in relation to the disposal of a property because it was held on trust for his brother.

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Perspective - Blog

Tribunal confirms loans from remuneration trust were disguised remuneration

Published on 11 Jul 2024. By Liam McKay, Senior Associate

In allowing HMRC's appeal in part, the Upper Tribunal determined that payments received under a remuneration trust scheme were caught by the anti-avoidance provisions in Part 7A of the Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003.

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Perspective - Blog

Dealing with HMRC information notices

Published on 04 Jul 2024. By Adam Craggs, Partner and Daniel Williams, Associate

Considering three common types of HMRC information notices and the extent to which they can be challenged.

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Perspective - Blog

Tribunal awards taxpayer his costs due to HMRC's unreasonable conduct

Published on 20 Jun 2024. By Jasprit Singh, Associate

In Aftab Ahmed v HMRC [2024] UKFTT 00236 (TC), the First-tier Tribunal granted the taxpayer's application for costs as HMRC had acted unreasonably in defending the appeal.

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Perspective - Blog

Tribunal allows entrepreneurs' relief appeal

Published on 13 Jun 2024. By Keziah Mastin, Associate

In Cooke v HMRC [2024] UKFTT 272 (TC), the FTT allowed the taxpayer's appeal against HMRC's refusal of entrepreneurs' relief

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Perspective - Blog

What happens in an HMRC criminal investigation

Published on 06 Jun 2024. By Adam Craggs, Partner and Michelle Sloane, Partner

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Perspective - Blog

Tribunal dismisses HMRC's appeal and confirms transactions did not give rise to a taxable remittance

Published on 30 May 2024. By Liam McKay, Senior Associate

In dismissing HMRC's appeal, the Upper Tribunal confirmed that transactions entered into by the taxpayers for the sale of shares did not amount to a taxable remittance under section 809L of the Income Tax Act 2007 because no service was provided in the UK.

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Perspective - Blog

Key features of the new non-UK domicile regime

Published on 29 May 2024. By Michelle Sloane, Partner and Jasprit Singh, Associate

The UK government's unexpected announcement in Spring Budget in March on the taxation of non-domicile individuals has sparked concerns and much comment. It represents a major change to the current system of taxation, which is more than 200 years old.

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Perspective - Blog

Taxpayers' application for  protective costs order against HMRC refused

Published on 20 May 2024. By Alexis Armitage, Senior Associate

UT dismisses taxpayer's application for a protective costs order against HMRC.

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Perspective - Blog

No bouncing back for directors

Published on 20 May 2024. By James Wickes, Partner and Adam Craggs, Partner and Catherine Zakarias-Welch, Knowledge Lawyer

Banned! Fraudsters! – Terms used by the Insolvency Service for directors who abused the government backed loan scheme which was put in place to help businesses struggling during the pandemic.

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Perspective - Blog

Contentious Tax Update

Published on 16 May 2024. By Harry Smith, Senior Associate and Adam Craggs, Partner

Harry Smith and Adam Craggs examine developments in relation to DOTAS, R&D enquiries, and the Economic Crime and Transparency Act.

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Perspective - Blog

Tribunal allows taxpayer's appeal in R&D case against penalty assessment for careless inaccuracy

Published on 03 May 2024. By Jasprit Singh, Associate

In H & H Contract Scaffolding Ltd v HMRC [2024] UKFTT 00151 (TC), the First-tier Tribunal (FTT) allowed the taxpayer's appeal against a penalty assessment as the inaccuracy in the tax return was not careless.

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Perspective - Blog

Contentious tax quarterly: Spring review

Published on 01 May 2024. By Adam Craggs, Partner and Harry Smith, Senior Associate

The last few months have seen a flurry of activity in relation to the DOTAS regime, with HMRC seeking to register arrangements retrospectively and apply substantial penalties for failure to register. Woes continue for those unfortunate enough to have R&D claims under enquiry, and the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 gives HMRC a significant new tool in relation to suspected criminal activity by bodies corporate and partnerships.

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Perspective - Blog

Costly objection by HMRC

Published on 15 Apr 2024. By Harry Smith, Senior Associate

FTT allows costs application where HMRC acted unreasonably in opposing specific disclosure application.

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Perspective - Blog

Let us in!

Published on 20 Jun 2023. By Adam Craggs, Partner and Michelle Sloane, Partner

Adam Craggs and Michelle Sloane explain what a business should do should HMRC come calling unexpectedly.

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Perspective - Blog

Are you ready for the Economic Crime Levy?

Published on 14 Mar 2023. By Adam Craggs, Partner and Michelle Sloane, Partner

On 28 February 2023, HM Treasury published draft regulations, together with an explanatory memorandum, that revise and make further provision for assessment, payment, collection, and enforcement of the Economic Crime Levy (ECL).

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Perspective - Blog

Couldn’t careless? Reasonable care and the role of professional advisers

Published on 27 Feb 2023. By Adam Craggs, Partner

Whilst taking professional advice will usually mean a taxpayer has taken reasonable care, not taking advice does not necessarily mean a taxpayer has been careless.

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Perspective - Blog

Victory – but at what cost?

Published on 31 Jan 2023. By Adam Craggs, Partner and Harry Smith, Senior Associate

From a review of recent costs decisions handed down by the FTT, it is difficult to escape the conclusion that the FTT can be guilty of inconsistency and results-led reasoning when exercising its jurisdiction in relation to costs orders.

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Perspective - Blog

Tribunal allows taxpayer's appeal and confirms its holding in another company constituted a "structural asset"

Published on 02 Nov 2022.

Tribunal allows taxpayer's appeal and confirms its holding in another insurance company constituted a "structural asset" for the purpose of section 137, Finance Act 2012.

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Perspective - Blog

Upper Tribunal agrees with the taxpayer on payments to secure changes to pension arrangements

Published on 26 Oct 2022. By Keziah Mastin, Associate

The Upper Tribunal allowed E.ON's appeal against HMRC's decisions imposing income tax and national insurance contributions to facilitation payments for changes to pension arrangements.

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Perspective - Blog

Lack of documentary evidence no bar to proving capital loss claim

Published on 19 Oct 2022. By Liam McKay, Senior Associate

Allowing the taxpayers' appeal, the First-tier Tribunal held the Appellant was entitled to claim a capital loss from an earlier tax year to reduce the capital gains tax due on a gain realised by him on the sale of a commercial property because the claim was notified in time, and that inaccuracies in the Appellant's return had not been brought about deliberately.

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Perspective - Blog

HMRC's Ramsay argument fails

Published on 12 Oct 2022. By Harry Smith, Senior Associate

HMRC loses capital allowances case as Ramsay argument fails.

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