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On 13 April 2021, the European Data Protection Board (“EDPB“) adopted two opinions  (“Opinions“) concerning draft UK adequacy decisions published by the European Commission which would permit the free flow of personal data from the European Economic Area (“EEA“) to the UK in the post-Brexit world. The Opinions largely support the draft UK adequacy decisions and represent a positive step towards adoption of formal UK adequacy decisions. Nonetheless, organisations which transfer personal data from the EEA to the UK should continue to monitor the developments and keep planning for the possibility that the adequacy decisions, if adopted, could…
Continue Reading European Data Protection Board Issues Opinions on European Commission’s Draft UK Adequacy Decisions

In an increasingly interconnected world, preserving the free flow of data across borders is crucial to the prosperity of businesses operating in every industry. But over the last year, there have been a number of important data protection developments in Europe that have a direct impact on the supply chain and distribution arrangements operated by organizations. These developments are restricting the ways in which businesses can share personal data within their organizations and with counterparties internationally. They include:…
Continue Reading Data Protection Developments in Europe – Supply Chain and Distribution

On 27 February 2020, the UK government unofficially announced that the UK will not participate in the Unitary Patent and Unified Patent Court system. The decision was confirmed by a spokesperson for the prime minister, who stated that “Participating in a court that applies EU law and bound by the CJEU is inconsistent with…

Responding to a written question put to the UK Parliament on 21 January 2020, Government Minister Chris Skidmore stated that the UK has no plans to implement the controversial new EU Copyright Directive following the UK’s exit from the European Union. Entering into force in June 2019, EU countries have been given until June 2021…

Brexit is finally here. The United Kingdom leaves the European Union on 31 January 2020. The EU and the UK will now enter a transition period which is scheduled to last until 31 December 2020. During this time, the UK will continue to abide by the EU laws, be subject to the rulings of EU courts, and contribute to the EU budget. Hence, the status quo will essentially remain unchanged during the transition period. The aim of the transition period is to provide enough time for the final wave of negotiations between the UK and EU to …
Continue Reading Brexit – What Does it Mean for Businesses from an IP, Tech and Privacy Perspective?

In its second statement of intent of the week, on 9 July 2019, the UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office (“ICO”) announced its intention to fine Marriott International, Inc (“Marriott”) £99.2m under the General Data Protection Regulation (“GDPR”) for a personal data breach that occurred in relation to the Starwood guest reservation database system.
Continue Reading UK ICO Intends to Fine Marriott over £99m for Personal Data Breach under the GDPR

The UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office (“ICO”) today (8 July 2019) announced its intention to fine British Airways (“BA”) £183.39m under the General Data Protection Regulation (“GDPR”) for a personal data breach. This is the highest fine issued so far by a European Union data protection supervisory authority for a personal data breach under the GDPR. …
Continue Reading British Airways Fined over £183m for Personal Data Breach Under the GDPR

On 12 February 2019, the European Data Protection Board (EDPB) adopted an information note “on data transfers under the GDPR in the event of a no-deal Brexit.” According to the note, as of 30 March 2019, transfers of personal data from the European Economic Area (EEA) to the UK must be based either on Standard or ad hoc Data Protection Clauses, Binding Corporate Rules, Codes of Conduct, Certification Mechanisms or Derogations.
Continue Reading EDPB Issues Note on Data Transfers to the UK in the Event of a No-Deal Brexit

The UK government has published a series of four technical notices on intellectual property in the event of the UK leaving the EU on 29 March 2019 without an agreement (a ‘no deal Brexit’).  The technical notices were published on 24 September 2018 and cover: Trade marks and designs; Patents; Copyright; and Exhaustion of intellectual property rights. The notices set out the UK government’s …
Continue Reading A ‘No Deal Brexit’ and its Affects on IP