Entertainment Law, Media Law and Telecoms Law

The digital age has made films, TV shows, and music instantly accessible online, but much of this content is shared illegally without copyright owners' consent. Criminal prosecutions for online piracy can result in substantial fines and even imprisonment, though enforcement typically targets distributors rather than individual consumers.

The libel case of Noel Clarke -v- The Guardian has sparked widespread discussion about the boundaries of truth, and investigative journalism and the public interest defence, in the context of defamation.

The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 (the Act) – commonly known as "Martyn's Law" – is set to transform the way public venues and events across the UK approach security and preparedness for terrorist threats.

This comprehensive regulatory update examines critical developments in data protection law across multiple jurisdictions, including the US Supreme Court's landmark ruling on FTC independence and its implications for EU-US data transfers, the Irish High Court's affirmation of TikTok's €530m fine for unlawful data transfers to China, and the EDPB's proposed standardised template for personal data breach notifications.

The digital age has made films, TV shows, and music instantly accessible online, but much of this content is shared illegally without copyright owners' consent. Criminal prosecutions for online piracy can result in substantial fines and even imprisonment, though enforcement typically targets distributors rather than individual consumers.

The NBA and FIBA have announced a joint European basketball league launching in October 2027, with 12 franchises across major European cities and franchise fees ranging from $500M to $1B.

The Court of Justice of the European Union has issued two landmark rulings examining when sporting regulations that restrict competition can be justified by legitimate public-interest objectives. These decisions clarify the scope of the Wouters/Meca-Medina doctrine and its application to rules governing football agents, both at national and international federation levels.

Edinburgh Napier University and South of Scotland Enterprise have partnered to launch Bike Innovation Scotland, establishing the Caerlee Mill Bike Campus in Innerleithen. The facility will provide state-of-the-art testing and innovation support for the cycling and mountain biking sector, featuring specialized labs for trail testing and human performance research.

Sporting sponsorship offers businesses a powerful opportunity to build emotional connections with audiences, but the real value lies not in temporary campaigns—it lies in protecting the brand itself. Before investing in marketing or sponsorship, businesses must ensure their trade marks are properly registered and protected, transforming goodwill and recognition into enduring commercial assets that outlast any single event or advertisement.

A detailed examination of a landmark IPEC case involving luxury fashion brands LVMH, Fendi, Loewe, Christian Dior, and Celine against social media influencer Georgia Aldridge for promoting counterfeit products. The discussion explores how courts assess damages when influencers knowingly sell non-genuine branded fashion items and what this means for both brand protection and influencer liability in the digital marketplace.

When a defendant resides outside England and Wales, serving legal proceedings becomes significantly more complex, requiring court permission, diplomatic channels, and compliance with foreign jurisdictions' laws. A recent case involving service in Dubai demonstrates how courts are adapting to modern communication methods, including the novel use of Instagram for legal service when traditional methods prove impractical.

The UK government has announced sweeping new measures to regulate children's social media access, including a midnight-to-6am curfew for 16-17 year olds, mandatory breaks from AI chatbots, and enhanced VPN detection to prevent circumvention. These proposals follow the June 2026 announcement of a total social media ban for under-16s and represent a significant shift toward more interventionist regulation of young people's online activity.