Technology agreements have shifted considerably over the past decade. What were once relatively straightforward licence arrangements have evolved into dense SaaS terms that many businesses accept with limited scrutiny. The rise of artificial intelligence introduces a further layer of complexity. Unlike traditional software, AI systems bring uncertainty in outputs, questions around data provenance, and a rapidly developing regulatory landscape.

Technology partnerships are central to how UK businesses innovate, scale, and compete. Whether the relationship involves software development, cloud services, data-sharing, AI integration, platform licensing, or managed IT services, the structure of the commercial agreement determines not only the immediate deliverables but the long-term value both parties can extract.

Registering a trade mark is only the first step. Once registered, the proprietor enjoys the exclusive right to use the mark in relation to the goods and services for which it is registered (s9, Trade Marks Act 1994 (“TMA 1994”)). Unauthorised use by third parties can amount to infringement, and the TMA sets out a structured framework for identifying when infringement has occurred.

Section 10 of the Act defines three main types of infringement. These largely mirror the relative grounds of refusal under section 5, but they apply after registration and are enforceable by the proprietor.

The recent wave of litigation targeting major AI players like OpenAI, Microsoft, and Stability AI has brought one issue to the forefront: the legality of using scraped data to train generative models. The New York Times lawsuit against OpenAI and Microsoft alleges wholesale reproduction of its copyrighted content without consent, while Getty Images v. Stability AI raises the alarm over unauthorised image scraping. Nvidia, too, is facing questions around whether its data collection practices may violate copyright or data protection standards.

Many UK-based AI companies are left asking: What is permissible under current law? The answers are nuanced.

Often, the value of a brand can rival or surpass that of physical assets. A well-protected brand may confer significant commercial advantages by enhancing consumer trust and creating enduring recognition in oversaturated markets. Trade mark registration is one of the most effective legal tools available to secure brand. Below, we outline the key principles of trade mark registration in the UK and the legal framework under the Trade Marks Act 1994 (as amended) ("TMA 1994/ the Act").

As digital technology becomes increasingly embedded in every aspect of life, the UK's criminal justice system faces growing challenges in managing the vast amounts of digital evidence emerging in modern investigations. Nowhere is this more apparent than in fraud offences, which are becoming more sophisticated, data-heavy, and international in scope. In response to these issues, the UK government commissioned Jonathan Fisher KC to lead a comprehensive review of current disclosure laws, resulting in the report Disclosure in the Digital Age: Independent Review of Disclosure and Fraud Offences. The report offers key insights and recommendations on how to modernise the legal framework to make it fit for a digital-first world.

In a world where content is created, shared, and monetised at the click of a button, copyright is one of the most important legal tools available to protect your business’s creative assets. Yet despite its significance, copyright remains one of the most misunderstood areas of law, particularly when it comes to ownership.

Whether you are commissioning a brand identity, publishing marketing materials, or developing digital platforms, it is critical to understand your rights—and your risks.

The Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (Ciarb) recently published its "Guideline on the Use of AI in Arbitration (2025)" (the ‘Ciarb AI Guideline’).

The Ciarb AI Guideline provides practical guidance to practitioners and other participants in dispute resolution processes who wish to benefit from the responsible use of artificial intelligence (‘AI’).

This initiative reflects the Ciarb's commitment to embracing technological advancements while maintaining the integrity and fairness of the arbitration process.