China – Opportunities and Challenges
Vince Cunningham is a leading expert on trade with China. He highlights some of the things you need to know about China and astonishing expansion of the Chinese economy and influence….
Commerce, Contracts & Finance
What is Personal Data?
A recording of the SCL Privacy and Data Protection Group Meeting (Webinar course code HW/SFCL14 part of the SCL online CPD scheme – 1.5 hours)…
NCC refers software companies to OFT
New NCC research claims that software rights-holders are shifting the legal burden onto consumers who buy computer programmes, leaving them, say the NCC, with less protection than when they buy a cheap biro. The OFT has been asked to examine the potentially unfair contract terms of 17 firms that NCC has identified in Whose licence is…
Blawgs: A Reader’s Guide for IT Lawyers
Laurence Eastham reviews the blogs that might help you keep informed, sharpen up your opinions or just help fill the slack working days which so many IT lawyers complain about….
The Rise of Machinima
Computer games based on films are nothing new. However, a new movement has given an interesting twist to this process. Machinima is a burgeoning new film form where films are made using 3D real-time technology. To quote the machinima Academy of Arts and Sciences,[1] machinima is: ‘the convergence of filmmaking, animation and game development….
SCL Response to Data Sharing Consultation
In December 2007, the Data Sharing Review Secretariat sought responses to a range of questions on the steps that might be taken to improve the workings of the Data Protection Act 1998 with a particular focus on data sharing. SCL’s Privacy and Data Protection Interest Group has worked on a meaningful response, with Andrew Sharpe…
Data Protection and CCTV
The new CCTV Code of Practice makes it clear that the data protection legislation applies to CCTV in many cases. It describes the use of sound recording as ‘highly intrusive’ and warns organisations that its use would only ever be justified in highly exceptional circumstances. The Code outlines the key issues which organisations and businesses…
Looking After Your Database Rights
1. What is Protected Database rights are protectable under the Copyright and Rights in Databases Regulations (SI 1997 No 3032). A database is defined as a collection of independent works, data or other materials which are arranged in a systematic or methodical way and are individually accessible by electronic or other means. A property right (‘database…
IPR: Is It Good or Bad For Business?
Do intellectual property rights still provide the right framework to promote innovation and protect investment in the fast moving world of technology? This pressing question brought a packed house to Linklaters on Wednesday 23 January to hear from the experts. When Trolls Attack The first speaker was Roger Burt of IBM who tackled the tricky…
Reform of Data Protection Powers and Penalties
In a paper published by the ICO on its Web site, the Information Commissioner sets out the case for changes to be made to the Data Protection Act 1998. The changes seek to create: • a penalty for knowingly or recklessly failing to comply with the data protection principles so as to create a substantial…
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