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Sports Ticker #132 - Owl's not well at Sheffield Wednesday and Wimbledon swaps one court for another

Published on 17 Jul 2025. By Jeremy Drew, Partner and Joshua Charalambous, Partner and Samuel Coppard, Senior Associate and Ellie Chakarto, Senior Associate and Joseph Akwaboa, Senior Associate and Simon Williams, Associate and Charlie Osborne, Trainee Solicitor

In a fortnight which saw Jannik Sinner achieve Wimbledon glory after beating Carlos Alcaraz by three sets to one in a fierce Centre Court spectacle, underdogs Chelsea FC topple Paris Saint Germain to become victors of the Men’s FIFA Club World Cup 2025, and the Welsh Rugby Union announce that it is considering halving the number of regions in the Welsh professional rugby union setup, we bring you news on Sheffield Wednesday’s third transfer embargo, an insight into Tour De France’s new yellow card system, and a look at Liberty Media’s acquisition of MotoGP.

Sports Ticker #131 - Ascot plays a Royal Flush, county cricket shakes it up and Spurs take on INEOS - a speed read of commercial updates from the sports world

Published on 04 Jul 2025. By Jeremy Drew, Partner and Joshua Charalambous, Partner and Samuel Coppard, Senior Associate and Ellie Chakarto, Senior Associate and Joseph Akwaboa, Senior Associate and Simon Williams, Associate

In a fortnight which saw the eyes of the world tune into Wimbledon in clockwork fashion, Al-Hilal triumph over Manchester City with a last minute winner in the Club World Cup 2025, and the sad passing of Liverpool and Portuguese striker Diogo Jota, we bring you news on a radical shakeup in the world of county cricket, insights into Royal Ascot’s latest attendance successes, and a look at Tottenham Hotspurs’ legal spat with Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s INEOS Group.

RPC traces the trends for LIDW25

Published on 30 Jun 2025. By Jonathan Cary, Partner

With London International Disputes Week 2025 now wrapped up, we are reflecting on what it might tell us about the evolution of the disputes landscape.

Sports Ticker #130: Netflix's big-hitter, F1's 2026 calendar and the controversial Enhanced Games - a speed read of commercial updates from the sports world

Published on 25 Jun 2025. By Jeremy Drew, Partner and Joshua Charalambous, Partner and Samuel Coppard, Senior Associate and Ellie Chakarto, Senior Associate and Joseph Akwaboa, Senior Associate and Simon Williams, Associate

In a fortnight that saw a heat-laden FIFA Club World Cup 2025 kick off in the United States, the British & Irish Lions fall short against Argentina in the first leg of their 2025 tour and reviews roll in for F1: The Movie, we bring you news on Netflix’s latest boxing announcement, updates on Premiership Rugby’s record viewing figures, and a look at World Aquatic’s hard stance on the Enhanced Games.

Kick-ed out – UKIPO applies Supreme Court SkyKick decision in ENERJO opposition

Published on 17 Jun 2025. By Sarah Mountain, Partner and Samuel Coppard, Senior Associate

In the case of ENERJO (O/0439/24), the UK Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO) upheld an opposition against an application filed by Cashflow – the specification for which ran to a whopping 81 A4 pages! It found that "the sheer size and disparate nature" of the goods and services applied for amounted to bad faith, citing the Supreme Court’s decision in SkyKick, the weapon of choice for those wanting to challenge overly broad specifications. A detailed analysis of the decision follows.

Cheers Thatchers!–Lemon-Aid for Brand Owners as Court of Appeal Decision Suggests Greater Protection for Brand Owners from “Lookalike” Packaging

Published on 13 Jun 2025. By Ciara Cullen, Partner, Retail & Consumer Sector Lead and Joshy Thomas, Senior Knowledge Lawyer and Harpreet Kaur, Associate

Cheers Thatchers!–Lemon-Aid for Brand Owners as Court of Appeal Decision Suggests Greater Protection for Brand Owners from “Lookalike” Packaging

Sports Ticker #129 - Commonwealth Games lives on, DAZN's star-studded ad and cheese rolling galore - a speed read of commercial updates from the sports world

Published on 10 Jun 2025. By Jeremy Drew, Partner and Joshua Charalambous, Partner and Samuel Coppard, Senior Associate and Ellie Chakarto, Senior Associate and Joseph Akwaboa, Senior Associate and Simon Williams, Associate

In a fortnight which saw Arsenal win the UEFA Women's Champions League, Northampton Saints fall eight points short of European glory against Bordeaux Bègles and the town of Abingdon host the 42nd World Poohsticks Championships, we bring you news on the Government’s search for a Head of Video Games and Esports, an update on the future of the Commonwealth Games and a look at Gloucestershire’s annual cheese rolling race, whose women’s race winner cemented her victory with the words, “I don’t like cheese”.

Sports Ticker #128: Goodison's new tenants, Fnatic's Happy Deal and Barclays' latest sponsorships - a speed read of commercial updates from the sports world

Published on 23 May 2025. By Jeremy Drew, Partner and Joshua Charalambous, Partner and Samuel Coppard, Senior Associate and Ellie Chakarto, Senior Associate and Joseph Akwaboa, Senior Associate and Simon Williams, Associate

In a fortnight which saw Andy Murray part ways with Novak Djokovic and Jamie Vardy reach 200 goals for Leicester City in his 500th and final game for the club (as well as Leicester being charged with an alleged breach of the Championship’s profit and sustainability rules for the 2023/24 season), we bring you news of Fnatic’s Happy Deal with McDonald’s, an insight into Barclays’ sponsorship deals with the O2 Arena and Co-Op Live, and the news at Everton’s Goodison Park.

Court of Appeal decision allows litigation funders to be paid first in collective proceedings

Published on 13 May 2025. By Zoe Mernick-Levene, Partner

Variation of contract by email valid without expressly referring to exercise of contractual right

Published on 10 May 2025. By Caroline Tuck, Partner and Eleanor Harley , Partner

How will a court determine the formality requirements for a valid contract variation?

Court of Appeal confirms financial claim caught by clause excluding liability for loss of anticipated profits

Published on 10 May 2025. By Caroline Tuck, Partner and Eleanor Harley , Partner

How did the Court of Appeal approach the construction of an exclusion clause to determine whether the Claimant’s financial claim for breach of an exclusivity provision was properly described as a claim for “anticipated profits” and as such was excluded by that clause?

Contract formation: use of emoji showed objective intention to enter into contract

Published on 10 May 2025. By Caroline Tuck, Partner and Eleanor Harley , Partner

Is the use of a “thumbs up” emoji sufficient to convey acceptance when forming general commercial contracts?

Supreme Court determines that the parties’ common intention decides whether a contract is varied or replaced

Published on 10 May 2025. By Caroline Tuck, Partner and Eleanor Harley , Partner

How will a court determine whether a contract has been varied or replaced?

Sports Ticker #127: Becks buys Salford, Sadiq seeks Olympic repeat and Hamilton signs autograph deal - a speed read of commercial updates from the sports world

Published on 09 May 2025. By Jeremy Drew, Partner and Joshua Charalambous, Partner and Samuel Coppard, Senior Associate and Ellie Chakarto, Senior Associate and Joseph Akwaboa, Senior Associate and Simon Williams, Associate

In a fortnight which saw 150,000 Leeds United fans turn out to celebrate the club's promotion to the English Premier League, hundreds of daring racers take part in Essex’s annual Maldon Mud Run and the London Marathon steal New York’s crown for record number of finishers, we bring you news of Sadiq Khan’s Olympic aspirations, an insight into Lewis Hamilton’s exclusive autograph and memorabilia agreement and a peak at Channel 5’s broadcasting deal for the Men’s 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.

Green claims update

Published on 09 May 2025. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner, Technology, Media & Telecoms Sector Lead

The CMA has recently consulted on draft guidance to help businesses comply with the revamped consumer protection rules under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024. The guidance summarises key changes including broader definitions of “commercial practices” and “misleading actions” making it easier to enforce against misleading green claims.

ASA gets tougher on brand advertising for “less healthy” food and drink products

Published on 09 May 2025. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner, Technology, Media & Telecoms Sector Lead

What does CAP and BCAP’s new “identifiability test” mean for the advertising of “less healthy” food and drink (LHF) products?

UK advertising codes to be amended to reflect new DMCCA

Published on 09 May 2025. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner, Technology, Media & Telecoms Sector Lead

What are the proposed key amendments to the CAP and BCAP Codes to align with the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024?

Snapshots Spring 2025

Published on 09 May 2025. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner, Technology, Media & Telecoms Sector Lead and David Cran, Partner, Head of Disputes

A roundup of key legal developments for the modern commercial lawyer.

Online Safety Act 2023: Children Codes published by Ofcom

Published on 06 May 2025. By Rupert Cowper-Coles , Partner and Mafruhdha Miah, Senior Associate

On 24 April 2025, Ofcom published the Protection of Children Codes and Guidance (the Codes), as part of the second phase of its three-phase process to implement the Online Safety Act 2023 (the Act). In-scope service providers are now required to complete their first children's risk assessments by 24 July 2025, and subject to parliamentary approval of the Codes, those service providers will need to comply with the Codes from 25 July 2025.

Sports Ticker #126 - Cricket’s Olympic revival, Euro-Soccer and Mbappé’s pay war - a speed read of commercial updates from the sports world

Published on 25 Apr 2025. By Jeremy Drew, Partner and Joshua Charalambous, Partner and Samuel Coppard, Senior Associate and Ellie Chakarto, Senior Associate and Joseph Akwaboa, Senior Associate and Simon Williams, Associate

In a fortnight which saw Cambridge University do the double over Oxford University at the 2025 Boat Race and Strava acquire its rival Runna in a dash for running app supremacy, we bring you updates on the historic impact of Rory McIlroy's Masters victory, news of cricket's triumphant return to the Olympics and an insight into the record-breaking prize pool announced for the Esports World Cup 2025.

Sports injuries: the concussion pandemic

Published on 22 Apr 2025. By Fiona Hahlo, Partner

The inherent risk of injury to participants in many sports is well known – you only need to watch a game of rugby or American football, or spectate a boxing match, to appreciate this. Participants must accept this risk to some extent, but, the acceptance is conditional. They rely on governing bodies to control and regulate the sport to minimise injury risk; clubs to enforce the rules; referees to ensure compliance; players to follow the rules; organisers to provide appropriate facilities; and clinicians, especially in professional sport, to administer appropriate treatment.

EU Design regulation changes coming on 1 May 2025: What businesses need to know

Published on 14 Apr 2025. By Louise Morgan, Senior Associate and Georgia Davis, Of Counsel

1 May 2025 sees the first in a series of implementations of the long-awaited changes to EU design law.

Sports Ticker #125: All Blacks settle sponsor spat, WDC ups top prize and UK Baller League kicks off – a speed read of commercial updates from the sports world

Published on 10 Apr 2025. By Jeremy Drew, Partner and Joshua Charalambous, Partner and Samuel Coppard, Senior Associate and Ellie Chakarto, Senior Associate and Joseph Akwaboa, Senior Associate and Simon Williams, Associate

In a fortnight which saw Patrick Mullins ride Nick Rockett to victory in the Grand National, Dmitry Bivol renounce his WBC light-heavyweight title in pursuit of a trilogy fight with Artur Beterbiev, and Cardiff Rugby serve a notice of intention to appoint administrators, we bring you updates on Fnatic’s IMG partnership, news of a major increase in prize money in the World Darts Championship, and details of a settlement between the International Tennis Federation and Gerard Piqué’s Kosmos.

Sports Ticker #124: IOC's marathon month, London Lions stadium and Six Nations free-to-air deal

Published on 28 Mar 2025. By Jeremy Drew, Partner and Joshua Charalambous, Partner and Samuel Coppard, Senior Associate and Ellie Chakarto, Senior Associate and Joseph Akwaboa, Senior Associate and Simon Williams, Associate

In a fortnight which saw Kirsty Coventry elected as the first female president of the International Olympic Committee, Newcastle United win its first major domestic trophy since 1955, and a reported eightfold increase in Ferrari-branded merchandise sales for Puma following Lewis Hamilton's arrival, we bring you updates on the launch of Arsenal Women's first lifestyle range, a major complaint (and PR campaign) commenced by a professional tennis players’ association against the ATP, WTA, ITF and ITIA, and details of the Six Nations' extended free-to-air deal with the BBC and ITV.

RPC advises Frasers Group on strategic partnership to expand Sports Direct across Southeast Asia and India

Published on 27 Mar 2025. By Karen Hendy, Partner, Head of Corporate & Commercial and Eleanor Harley , Partner and Niki Asprou , Senior Associate

International law firm RPC has advised Frasers Group on its landmark partnership with MAP Active, a major step in the retail group’s international growth strategy. The agreement will see Sports Direct enter five new markets across Southeast Asia and India, with plans to launch over 350 stores across the region.

Sports Ticker #123: NSL makeover, IFAB eight-second rule and Yorkshire Hundred sale – a speed read of commercial updates from the sports world

Published on 13 Mar 2025. By Jeremy Drew, Partner and Joshua Charalambous, Partner and Samuel Coppard, Senior Associate and Ellie Chakarto, Senior Associate and Joseph Akwaboa, Senior Associate and Simon Williams, Associate

In a fortnight which saw the Women's Tennis Association announce that players will receive paid maternity leave for the first time, Manchester United unveil plans for a new 100,000 seater stadium and the BBC strike a TV deal for men's international football in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, we bring you updates on the revamped Netball Super League, Ferrari's victory against Aston Martin and the benefits for Yorkshire following the sale of the Northern Superchargers.

Sports Ticker #122: APT rules deemed void, padel passion and Zara's carbon plated trainers – a speed read of commercial updates from the sports world

Published on 05 Mar 2025. By Jeremy Drew, Partner and Joshua Charalambous, Partner and Samuel Coppard, Senior Associate and Ellie Chakarto, Senior Associate and Joseph Akwaboa, Senior Associate and Simon Williams, Associate

In a fortnight which saw Avram Glazer confirm that Manchester United is not for sale, the F1 75 Live event take place and Amazon Prime Video launch live pay-per-view football with Ligue 1, we bring you updates on a tribunal's ruling that Premier League APT rules are void, the RFL's investigation into the Salford Red Devils squad selection ahead of their takeover being approved and Zara's new carbon plated running shoe.

Sports Ticker #121: £295m Hundred deal, F1 wing tests and EA's tracking technology – a speed read of commercial updates from the sports world

Published on 14 Feb 2025. By Jeremy Drew, Partner and Joshua Charalambous, Partner and Samuel Coppard, Senior Associate and Ellie Chakarto, Senior Associate and Joseph Akwaboa, Senior Associate and Simon Williams, Associate

In a fortnight which saw Manchester City bring a new legal challenge against the Premier League in relation to APT rules, and Louis Vuitton become the title partner of F1's Australian Grand Prix, we bring you updates on EA Sports acquiring TRACAB Technologies, the sale of London Spirit to a consortium of tech billionaires and Formula 1's tougher wing tests.

Sports Ticker #120: €100m milestone, NASCAR Channel and first female F1 race engineer – a speed read of commercial updates from the sports world

Published on 30 Jan 2025. By Jeremy Drew, Partner and Joshua Charalambous, Partner and Samuel Coppard, Senior Associate and Ellie Chakarto, Senior Associate and Joseph Akwaboa, Senior Associate and Simon Williams, Associate

In a fortnight which saw ESPN and the World Surf League announce an expanded rights agreement and the Australian Open amass an unprecedented 1.1 million attendees, we bring you updates on the €100m milestone in women's football, NASCAR's new channel with Tubi and the settlement of a dispute between Superdry and Manchester City.

Key cyber developments: looking back over 2024

Published on 27 Jan 2025. By Richard Breavington, Partner and Daniel Guilfoyle, Partner and Rachel Ford, Partner

For the cyber market, 2024 brought with it many legislative and regulatory changes, as well as sophisticated cyber-attacks and ground-breaking law enforcement activity.

Sports Ticker #119: Wimbledon worries, ICC's two-tier cricket and Mike Tyson litigation

Published on 21 Jan 2025. By Jeremy Drew, Partner and Joshua Charalambous, Partner and Samuel Coppard, Senior Associate and Ellie Chakarto, Senior Associate and Joseph Akwaboa, Senior Associate and Simon Williams, Associate

In a fortnight which saw the World Snooker Tour launch a new global streaming service and Adidas enter F1 with a Mercedes partnership, we bring you updates on the legal action against Wimbledon's expansion plans, FIFA's interim transfer rules following the Diarra ruling and the possibility of a two-tier cricket Test system.

Sky trademark ruling suggests strategy tips for brands

Published on 16 Jan 2025. By Joshua Charalambous, Partner

In a judgment handed down in SkyKick UK Ltd. v. Sky Ltd. on Nov. 13, the U.K. Supreme Court held that various trademarks for "Sky" owned by Sky were partially invalid due to their having been filed in bad faith, on the basis that Sky lacked a genuine intention to use the marks in all the classes for which they had been registered.

ISDA Master Agreements

Published on 13 Jan 2025. By Jake Hardy, Partner and Simon Hart, Partner, Financial Services Sector Lead

Banking litigation partners Simon Hart and Jake Hardy discuss the world of ISDA Master Agreements, close out mechanics and a rather opaque investment bank wheeze involving counter hedging strategies, which counterparties miss at their financial peril.

RPC welcomes Alastair Mitton as Commercial, Technology and Outsourcing Partner

Published on 06 Jan 2025. By Alastair Mitton, Partner

International law firm RPC has announced the appointment of technology and outsourcing specialist, Alastair Mitton, as Partner in the firm's Commercial, Technology and Outsourcing practice in Bristol. The move is part of an ongoing focus to grow RPC's presence in the South West, particularly strengthening its Media, IP, Technology, Outsourcing and Commercial (MIPTOC) team and client base.

Sports Ticker #118: Thom Browne v Adidas, Formula E on TV and Q&A with Ben Maher – a speed read of commercial updates from the sports world

Published on 13 Dec 2024. By Jeremy Drew, Partner and Joshua Charalambous, Partner and Samuel Coppard, Senior Associate and Ellie Chakarto, Senior Associate and Joseph Akwaboa, Senior Associate and Simon Williams, Associate

In a fortnight which saw boxing face an ultimatum for its inclusion in the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, trials of an alternative system to VAR extended by the International Football Association Board and the NBA announce its return to China in 2025, we bring you updates on Thom Browne vs Adidas, AB InBev's partnership with FIFA for the Club World Cup 2025 and an exciting RPC event with Ben Maher on 17 December.

Aesthetic appeal and craftsmanship are not enough: WaterRower fails to secure copyright protection as a UK work of artistic craftsmanship

Published on 13 Dec 2024. By Ciara Cullen, Partner, Retail & Consumer Sector Lead and Joshy Thomas, Senior Knowledge Lawyer

The term "artistic craftsmanship" has no statutory definition under UK copyright law – a position that has only been made more challenging by a conflict between EU and UK case law in this area. In this hotly anticipated judgment, the Intellectual Property Enterprise Court (IPEC) sought to determine what it means to be a work of artistic craftsmanship in the context of s 4(1)(c) of the Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1988 (CDPA).

Harmful Online Choice Architecture: ASA criticises Nike and Sky for “dark pattern” tactics

Published on 10 Dec 2024. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner, Technology, Media & Telecoms Sector Lead

What must businesses do to ensure that their ads do not fall foul of the ASA and CMA’s ongoing investigations into harmful choice architecture and dark pattern tactics?

Agreements to agree: Price for goods “to be fixed” by agreement results in partially enforceable contract

Published on 10 Dec 2024. By Caroline Tuck, Partner and Eleanor Harley , Partner

Where a contract for the sale of goods did not expressly specify the price for a portion of the goods, was the contract for the sale of those goods, or an element of it, enforceable or unenforceable as a mere agreement to agree?