Technology & telecoms
The Technology team advises both suppliers and purchasers upon technology transactions, IT-related projects, telecoms and e-commerce. Clients include national and international businesses ranging from start-ups to large public companies.
We pride ourselves on our in-depth understanding of the Technology sector which allows us to use our expert knowledge to deliver customised legal advice and guidance.
The fee basis for all Technology project advice is agreed before work commences. Legal advice delivery deadlines are agreed in advance.
The Technology team is headed by Mike Pettit who has advised upon technology issues for over 20 years. He has the support of two other partners and three assistant solicitors dealing regularly with technology projects. Mike regularly speaks at seminars held by technology sector consultancies, professional practices and interest groups. He is a member of the Society for Computers and Law National Working Party which lobbies government upon e-commerce contract issues.
The team focuses mainly on online service providers and technology companies involved in the internet, software, hardware and telecoms. His legal specialisations are technology projects and trading documents, e-commerce, intellectual property, asset protection and data protection. Members of the team are associate members of the Society for Computers and Law and regularly speak at and writes articles for in-house and external events/ publications.
Key Services
Within the Technology team we have experts dealing with the following (the firm also offers back up for any business disputes through its separate commercial litigation and dispute resolution unit):
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mergers, acquisitions and disposals
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venture capital funding, buy-ins and buy-outs
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spin-outs and institutional purchases
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IT and business process outsourcing
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technology procurement and IT project support
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technology development, joint ventures and strategic investments
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copyright and design rights
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patents, confidential information and know how
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branding domain name registration and trade mark registration
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licensing and technology transfers
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sponsorship and merchandising arrangements
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data protection, privacy, freedom of information and encryption issues
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e-commerce, internet and online retailing
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advertising, media and publishing
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regulatory matters
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agency, distribution, franchising and partnership arrangements.
Recent projects completed by the team
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Software procurement project for global travel services supplier.
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Global IT infrastructure procurement for private healthcare group.
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Software house multiple government backed support and maintenance projects.
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Negotiation of LAN and WAN infrastructure project for 25 sites of PLC.
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Data Protection, Privacy and User structure for government education portal project.
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Pre-launch health check for PLC web site including intellectual property, trading terms and data protection.
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Outsourcing of key IT Support Unit from Government to private sector.
