United Kingdom: Media, Telecoms, IT, Entertainment

The UK Intellectual Property Office introduced new guidance in January 2025 addressing the patentability of quantum computing-related inventions, marking the first time specific guidance has been provided for this emerging technology.

The Digital Technology Global Talent visa offers a pathway for tech leaders and emerging talents to work in the UK's digital sector. Understanding Tech Nation's endorsement requirements...

The digital landscape presents unprecedented challenges for online safety, raising critical questions about who bears responsibility for protecting users—particularly vulnerable populations—from harmful content. As regulatory frameworks evolve and technology companies face mounting pressure, the balance between education, corporate accountability, and government intervention remains hotly contested.

On 29 May 2026, The Baroness Lloyd of Effra CBE (Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Minister for Digital Economy)) announced the UK government's plan to introduce tougher laws protecting submarine communications cables.

The UK and Gulf Cooperation Council have finalized a comprehensive free trade agreement that will eliminate tariffs on 93% of UK exports worth £580 million annually.

The Media Act 2024 granted Ofcom new powers to create and enforce a new content standards Code for video-on-demand services (ie streaming services).

Belfast partners Ciara Fulton, Katey Dixon and Olivia O'Kane discuss Northern Ireland's thriving tech start-up ecosystem, the transformative impact of artificial intelligence on business development...

AI-generated music has become commercially mainstream, yet the legal framework governing it remains uncertain. The industry is currently being shaped through litigation, private licensing deals, and emerging regulation, creating a complex landscape where businesses must navigate unresolved questions about copyright, authorship, and liability while AI music continues to be widely used and monetised.

The UK has been here before. Every time a major sporting event lands on British soil, Parliament commits to pass bespoke legislation to protect commercial revenue and deter ambush marketing.

Lidl's decision to open a pub in Northern Ireland called "The Middle Ale" demonstrates how accumulated brand recognition can be strategically converted into new commercial settings. This case study explores the intellectual property considerations that arise when a business extends its brand into unfamiliar territory, and why proactive trade mark strategy matters more than simply maintaining existing registrations.

The European Commission has called on Member States to accelerate the rollout of a new EU age verification app, urging that it be made available to citizens by the end of 2026.

The challenge lies in navigating the space between brand extension (growing a brand’s reach into new areas) and brand overstretch, which can alienate both new and existing loyal consumers.