Commercial, Brands, IP and IT
Helping our clients protect brands and manage commercial risk
As commercial issues rarely fit into neat legal categories, our commercial team brings together experts in contracts, intellectual property (IP), data, technology and outsourcing, to deliver streamlined, robust and forward-thinking advice, often on matters with complex cross-border elements.
Our practice is built upon our ability to think creatively and strategically around all elements encompassing the commercial and operational requirements of our clients. Whether reviewing complex outsourcing agreements, navigating data transfers, or delivering strategic counsel on intellectual property portfolios, we understand the pressure points of operating in complex and regulated environments.
Our work includes advising on:
- commercial contracts across all sectors, including supply and distribution arrangements, agency, franchising and sponsorship agreements;
- data privacy and cyber security, including advising on GDPR compliance, cross-border data transfers, data breaches and risk management, underpinned by robust strategies to protect critical information;
- IP and brands, including protecting and commercialising IP rights, structuring and safeguarding portfolios, handling licensing and assignments and advising on the reorganisation and sale of IP assets;
- technology, including support on digital transformation projects, software licensing, IT procurement, and the development of emerging technologies such as cloud computing, SaaS, AI tools and cloud-based platforms; and
- outsourcing, including advising on IT and business process outsourcing, particularly in regulated sectors, such as financial services.
Work highlights include advising:
- Investec Bank PLC on the complex separation and transitional aspects of the £839m all share combination with Rathbones Group PLC and on related, but separate, longer-term critical technology outsourcing arrangements between the parties;
- Banco de Sabadell S.A. on its critical outsourced IT arrangements, as part of the £2.65bn sale of TSB Banking Group plc to Banco Santander;
- Virgin on its trade mark licence arrangements with Virgin Voyages;
- on the establishment and growth of the leading global professional padel tour, Premier Padel, which included: in respect of numerous event hosting agreements (including at the iconic Roland Garros stadium in Paris); sponsorship agreements (including its title sponsorship with Qatar Airways, resulting in the rebranding of the tour as the “Qatar Airways Premier Padel Tour”); and in relation to its multi-year sponsorship and media rights strategic partnership with Red Bull;
- Superdry plc on an intellectual property joint venture with Reliance Brands Holding UK Ltd and agreements for the sale of its intellectual property assets in India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh to the joint venture company; and
- Lebara, a leading mobile virtual network operator, on the commercial aspects of its strategic partnership with Waterland Private Equity.
