Snapshots Autumn 2020

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

In this edition we have;

Commercial cases

• Contractual interpretation; the dangers of inconsistency between formulae and worked examples (Altera Voyageur Production Limited v Premier Oil E&P UK Ltd [2020] EWHC 1891 (Comm))
• Good faith; relational contracts and the implied duty of good faith (Essex County Council v UBB Waste (Essex) Limited [2020] EWHC 1581 (TCC))
• Contractual interpretation; rectification not possible purely for a tax benefit (MV Promotions Ltd and Another v Telegraph Media Group Ltd and Another [2020] EWHC 1357 (Ch))
• Restrictive covenants; restraint of trade and bespoke contracts (Quantum Advisory Ltd v Quantum Actuarial LLP [2020] EWHC 1072 (Comm))

 Intellectual Property

• Copyright; online platform operators’ liability for users illegally uploading copyright material (C-682/18 Frank Peterson v Google LLC and others and C-683/18 Elsevier Inc. v Cyando AG EU:C:2020:586 – A-G opinion)

Data protection

• The ICO published guidance on AI decision-making
• Damages for distress for failing to verify personal data (Petr Aven v Orbis Business Intelligence Ltd [2020] EWHC 523 (QB))
• Schrems II – where next for data transfers (Case C-311/18 Data Protection Commissioner v Facebook Ireland Ltd, Maximillian Schrems)
• EU Commission looks to new SCCs by the end of 2020
• The ICO publishes contact tracing guidance
• EU social media targeting guidelines – call for feedback
• DMA issues "Seven-Step Ad Tech Guide" in a bid to restore trust in online advertising 
• The EECC, the ePD and the GDPR – a complex interplay creating a breach notification nightmare for providers of communications services
• Progress report on the ePrivacy Regulation – processing of metadata and use of cookies for "legitimate interests"
• H&M hit with €35.3m fine for GDPR employee breach

Digital

• Audiovisual Media Services Directive; European Commission adopts guidelines on video-sharing platforms and the promotion of European works
• The CMA publishes final report on online platforms and digital advertising

ASA

• The ASA's new UK Scam Alert System
• P&G; verification requirements in comparative advertising campaigns 
• BOXT; 'next day delivery' and comparative pricing claims
• Wish.com; sexually explicit in-app ads deemed offensive and inappropriately targeted
• Sky UK; clarity over upfront costs and different fees charged to different groups
• Playrix; gameplay footage must be representative of the gaming experience