Search results

Thinking - Blog

Thaler v Comptroller [2023] UKSC 49: the UKSC rules that AI cannot be an 'inventor'

Published on 10 Jan 2024. By Matthew Jones, Partner

To the surprise of no one, the UK Supreme Court (UKSC) has finally ruled that an artificial intelligence (AI) cannot be an inventor for the purposes of UK patent law. This judgment accords with the decisions of the lower courts in the UK and the initial ruling of the UKIPO. It also reflects similar findings from most of courts around the world where the claimant, Dr Thaler, brought similar actions.

Thinking - Blog

Generative AI and intellectual property rights—the UK government's position

Published on 03 May 2023. By Helen Armstrong, Partner and Jani Ihalainen, Associate and Joshy Thomas, Knowledge Lawyer

The IPO is to produce a code of practice by the summer that will provide guidance to support AI firms in accessing copyright protected works as an input to their models.

Thinking - Blog

Six steps to AI Literacy (whether legally required to or not)

Published on 27 Feb 2025. By Paul Joukador, Partner and Praveeta Thayalan, Knowledge Lawyer

At the beginning of February 2025, the AI literacy requirement under the EU AI Act came into force. The effect of this is that certain businesses must take measures to ensure a sufficient level of AI literacy in their staff.

Thinking - Publication

Regulatory Radar: quick takes May 2025

Published on 12 May 2025. By Gavin Reese, Partner, Head of Regulatory

Welcome to the latest edition of our bi-monthly Regulatory Radar: quick takes update, which collates the latest developments from across the UK’s regulators.

Thinking - Blog

New developments in AI may put law firms at greater risk of phishing fraud

Published on 28 Apr 2023. By Will Sefton, Partner, Head of the Lawyers Liability and Regulatory Group

As the computing power of Artificial Intelligence continues to grow exponentially, we consider how generative technology may expand the reach of traditional phishing frauds aimed at law firms.

Press and Media

The Times recognises RPC among Best Law Firms 2024

Published on 30 Oct 2023.

International law firm, RPC, has been recognised by The Times in its Best Law Firms 2024 report, an annual ranking of the top 250 law firms in England and Wales.

Thinking - Blog

'Nosecco' is a no-no, says the High Court

Published on 01 Jul 2020. By Ciara Cullen, Partner, Retail & Consumer Sector Lead and Sarah Mountain, Partner

In recent years, health and wellbeing has been big business in the UK. The COVID-19 outbreak has only further stoked the desire to obtain and maintain healthy minds and bodies and the trend looks set to continue, across the retail sector.

Thinking - Blog

Generative Artificial Intelligence Risks for Litigation Lawyers

Published on 09 Jun 2025. By Nick Bird, Partner and Cheryl Laird, Senior Associate

In R (on the application of Frederick Ayinde) v The London Borough of Haringey AC-2024-LON-003062 the President of the King's Bench Division (Dame Victoria Sharpe) and Mr Justice Johnson gave judgment in two referrals that had been made under the Hamid jurisdiction. That jurisdiction is the court's inherent jurisdiction to regulate its own procedures and enforce the obligations that lawyers owe to it.

Thinking - Blog

AI in auditing: Embracing a new age for the profession

Published on 08 Jul 2024.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a rather new concept for many (ignoring those versed in 80’s Sci-Fi movies); it’s something many don’t know much about and certainly don’t use in our day-to-day lives (or at least appreciate we are using). However, that’s not the case for everyone. Auditors have long been reaping the benefits of AI, but are auditors just scratching the surface of what AI can offer and what impact will an increased use have on their insurance requirements and claims they face?

Thinking - Blog

Virtual billboards: the future of immersive advertising?

Published on 15 Jan 2024. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner, Technology, Media & Telecoms Sector Lead and Elizabeth Alibhai, Partner and Nick Lauw, Partner

With the deployment of immersive technologies poised to become the norm, the implementation of infrastructure for "virtual billboards", and the "property digital rights" which they demand, is demonstrating a lucrative gap in the market and huge growth potential.

Thinking - Blog

The November 2023 AI safety summit and the UK's direction of travel

Published on 29 Aug 2023. By Helen Armstrong, Partner and Charles Buckworth, Partner and Joshy Thomas, Knowledge Lawyer

The government has confirmed that the UK AI safety summit will be held at Bletchley Park on 1 and 2 November 2023.

Thinking - Podcast

AI and ChatGPT in Law firms

Published on 04 Aug 2023.

First published by 39 Essex Chambers, in this episode Patrick Brodie, Head of Employment, Engagement and Equality at law firm, RPC, discusses with Katherine Apps KC the issues raised by the use of large language models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT in a law firm environment.

Thinking - Snapshot

Ethics in the age of AI: new Institute of Directors checklist

Published on 07 Jul 2023. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner, Technology, Media & Telecoms Sector Lead

What are the key considerations for boards regarding the ethical use of AI within their companies based on the Institute of Directors’ (IoD) Checklist for Boards (Checklist)?

Thinking - Snapshot

Government White Paper sets out UK approach to AI regulation

Published on 07 Jul 2023. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner, Technology, Media & Telecoms Sector Lead

How is the UK Government looking to regulate AI?

Thinking - Podcast

Unlocking Generative AI’s Potential: Ethics, Creativity, and Impact

Published on 29 Jun 2023.

What if you could unlock the full potential of Generative AI and its impact on your life and company?

Thinking - Blog

The "Unicorn Kingdom's" AI White Paper

Published on 12 May 2023. By Helen Armstrong, Partner and Ricky Cella, Senior Associate and Joshy Thomas, Knowledge Lawyer

The UK's pro-innovation AI White paper has been published. It landed almost simultaneously with an open letter from the Future of Life Institute which called for a six-month halt in work on AI systems more powerful than the generative AI system: GPT-4.

Thinking - Blog

Understanding and managing the risks in artificial intelligence (AI) technology projects

Published on 12 Apr 2023. By Helen Armstrong, Partner and Ricky Cella, Senior Associate and Joshy Thomas, Knowledge Lawyer

How do you go about managing the risks and challenges that might arise during the deployment of AI technology?

Thinking - Blog

AI technology projects – the regulatory landscape

Published on 24 Feb 2023. By Helen Armstrong, Partner and Ricky Cella, Senior Associate and Joshy Thomas, Knowledge Lawyer

Parties engaged in AI technology projects should be mindful of the regulatory landscape, and the changes taking place within it. A failure to do so could result in an AI solution that is not compliant from a regulatory perspective, the use of which potentially creates risk for the technology provider and user.

Thinking - Publication

Retail Compass Autumn 2024

Published on 02 Oct 2024. By Jeremy Drew, Partner and Karen Hendy, Partner and Ciara Cullen, Partner, Retail & Consumer Sector Lead

Welcome to the autumn edition of Retail Compass. This edition sees a surge of ESG-related legislative and regulatory updates. We hope to guide you through the most pressing, as well as the wider upcoming legal and policy changes affecting retail and consumer brands.

Thinking - Publication

Retail Compass Spring 2024

Published on 15 Apr 2024. By Jeremy Drew, Partner and Karen Hendy, Partner and Ciara Cullen, Partner, Retail & Consumer Sector Lead

Welcome to the Spring edition of Retail Compass, where we guide you through key upcoming legal and policy changes affecting retailers and consumer brands and provide our thoughts on those crucial, need-to-know issues.

Thinking - Blog

12 top tips for using AI in retail and consumer businesses

Published on 18 Dec 2023. By Praveeta Thayalan, Knowledge Lawyer

Last year, we set out our top ten tips for retailers entering the metaverse. This year, AI is the hot topic in retail and pretty much everywhere else! AI is redefining the retail and consumer industry. It can improve consume engagement, aid decision-making, curate tailored promotions, improve efficiencies, and reduce costs. So what do retailers and consumer bran need to be mindful of when deploying AI?

Thinking - Publication

Retail Compass Autumn 2023

Published on 17 Oct 2023. By Jeremy Drew, Partner and Karen Hendy, Partner and Ciara Cullen, Partner, Retail & Consumer Sector Lead

Welcome to our Autumn edition of Retail Compass, where we guide you through the key legal and policy changes affecting retail and consumer brands and provide our thoughts on those crucial, need-to-know issues.

Thinking - Publication

Retail Compass Spring 2023

Published on 27 Apr 2023. By Jeremy Drew, Partner and Karen Hendy, Partner

Welcome to our Spring edition of Retail Compass, where we guide you through the key legal and policy changes affecting retail and consumer brands and provide our thoughts on those crucial, need-to-know issues.

Thinking - Publication

What if the CEO asks me about... using Artificial Intelligence in our Retail stores?

Published on 28 Mar 2023. By Paul Joukador, Partner

The term "artificial intelligence" (AI) describes a range of technologies that enable machines to perform tasks that typically require human intelligence, such as the ability to comprehend, act and learn.

Thinking - Blog

Securing electricity for development projects

Published on 14 May 2025. By Arash Rajai, Partner and Claire Wilmann, Senior Associate

Developers are facing significant delays in securing a point of connection, offer from a Distribution Network Operator (DNO), to reserve power on the grid for a new development site. In a challenging market, a development site that might be sold off with planning permission is more marketable if it benefits from reserved power.

Thinking - Blog

Construction and Engineering Law 2024

Published on 15 Aug 2024. By Tom Green, Partner and Arash Rajai, Partner and Alan Stone, Partner and Jonathan Carrington, Senior Associate

We are delighted to have contributed once again to ICLG's Construction and Engineering Law guide for 2024. The comprehensive guide delves into the multifaceted world of construction and engineering law, providing an essential reference for understanding and comparing the handling of common legal challenges across various jurisdictions.

Thinking - Blog

AI in Construction

Published on 16 Jul 2024. By Georgina Haynes, Senior Associate

There is a lot of discussion around Artificial Intelligence ("AI") and its application to industry. We have considered what AI is, the benefits and risks, how it fits into the construction industry, the effect on insurers and what the future holds.

Thinking - Blog

Parliamentary 'wash up' – which Bills made it through?

Published on 31 May 2024. By Paul Joukador, Partner and Praveeta Thayalan, Knowledge Lawyer and Shahil Goodka, Trainee Solicitor

On 22 May 2024, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced that a General Election will take place on 4 July 2024. Parliament was then prorogued on 24 May 2024 which allowed a mere 2 days for 'wash up' - the process by which outstanding bills may be rushed through the parliamentary process.

Thinking - Blog

Silicon Valley, Signature and Credit Suisse: what do they all share(holder) in common?

Published on 28 Mar 2023. By James Wickes, Partner and Oliver Knox, Partner

In what has been termed "the biggest banking crisis since 2008", both Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) and Signature Bank have collapsed, and Credit Suisse has been rescued. Whether more banks are to follow suit is yet to be seen.

Thinking - Blog

Supreme Court resolves key construction and professional negligence issues in URS Corp Ltd v BDW Trading Ltd

Published on 09 Jul 2025. By Aimee Talbot, Knowledge Lawyer and Ben Goodier, Partner and Alexandra Anderson, Partner

The Supreme Court handed down its keenly awaited judgment in URS Corp Ltd v BDW Trading Ltd [2025] UKSC 21 on 21 May 2025. The dispute concerns whether a developer (BDW Trading Ltd) can recover the cost of remedying allegedly dangerous defects in two residential developments from the structural engineers (URS Corporation Ltd) responsible for their design. Our specialist construction insurance team consider the key points for insurers, brokers and professional consultants.

Thinking - Blog

Surveying the risks: RICS proposed updates tackling financial crime

Published on 02 Jun 2025. By Ben Goodier, Partner and Emma Wherry, Of Counsel and Catherine Zakarias-Welch, Knowledge Lawyer

Financial crime is on the rise. In response to the new technologies criminals are using, such as AI and cryptocurrency, RICS launched a consultation calling on members, regulated firms and key stakeholders to respond to its consultation on proposed changes to "The Financial Crime Standard" (The RICS Countering Financial Crime: Bribery, Corruption, Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing, and Sanctions Violation Professional Standard).

Thinking - Blog

A guide to buying and selling English residential property

Published on 14 Jan 2025. By Elizabeth Alibhai, Partner and Sukh Ahark, Partner, Co-head of India Practice and Ben Roberts, Partner and Jon Ely, Partner and Arash Rajai, Partner

We are seeing increased positivity in the English residential property market. In 2024, inflation reached the Bank of England’s 2% target, down from 11.1% in 2022, which was a significant factor in the return of consumer confidence and economic growth. Mortgage rates are falling slightly with approval rates at their highest level since 2022 as buyers continue to respond to increased certainty post-election. Property values are again on the rise while demand continues to outstrip supply.

Thinking - Blog

Architects' Code reforms – it's important that you have your say!

Published on 08 Oct 2024. By Alexandra Anderson, Partner and Emma Wherry, Of Counsel

The Architects Registration Board (ARB) is consulting on a proposed new code of professional conduct for architects. The proposed new Code is shorter and simpler, but may be more complex to apply and more onerous. Architects should consider responding to the consultation by the deadline of 12 December 2024.

Thinking - Blog

Construction disciplinary trends analysis #3: fraud and dishonesty

Published on 12 Aug 2024. By Ben Goodier, Partner and Emma Wherry, Of Counsel and Aimee Talbot, Knowledge Lawyer

This article is the third instalment in our mini-series analysing trends in disciplinary decisions involving construction professionals, with insight from our specialist disciplinary team.

Thinking - Blog

Unpacking the Building Safety Act's industry overhaul

Published on 06 Mar 2024. By Zoe Eastell, Partner and Zack Gould-Wilson, Senior Associate

On June 28, 2022, the Building Safety Act 2022 received royal assent, bringing about the biggest change to building safety in 40 years.

Thinking - Blog

Construction disciplinary trends analysis #2: engagement letters – worth more than the paper they're written on!

Published on 21 Feb 2024. By Ben Goodier, Partner and Emma Wherry, Of Counsel and Aimee Talbot, Knowledge Lawyer

This article is the second in our mini-series analysing trends in disciplinary decisions involving construction professionals, with insight from our specialist disciplinary team.

Thinking - Blog

Construction disciplinary trends analysis #1: continuing professional development

Published on 16 Oct 2023. By Ben Goodier, Partner and Emma Wherry, Of Counsel and Aimee Talbot, Knowledge Lawyer

This article is the first in our mini-series analysing trends in disciplinary decisions involving construction professionals, with insight from our specialist disciplinary team.

Thinking - Blog

The El Niño year and impact on subsidence claims

Published on 13 Jul 2023. By Andrew Roper, Partner and Aimee Talbot, Knowledge Lawyer

Insurers should be bracing for a wave of subsidence claims arising from the increasingly warm weather. The UN’s World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has declared that an El Niño climate event is in progress, which helps explain why June 2023 was the hottest on record in the UK.

Thinking - Blog

Building on renewable energy #3 – Anaerobic Digestion

Published on 24 Sep 2020.

Anaerobic digestion is the process by which biodegradable materials are broken down in a controlled environment. Whilst being broken down, the materials emit gas (which can be used as a source of renewable energy), and produce heat (which can also be harnessed on or near-to site). The process also leaves a waste material (digestate), which can be used as fertiliser, contributing to the circular economy.

Profile

Jessica Yates

+44 20 3060 6000

Bristol

View profile

Thinking - Blog

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.

Thinking - Blog

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, 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

Thinking - Blog

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.

Thinking - Blog

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, 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).

Thinking - Blog

McDonald's BIG MAC trade mark – General Court gives decision on evidence of genuine use

Published on 30 Jul 2024. By Ciara Cullen, Partner, Retail & Consumer Sector Lead and Harpreet Kaur, Associate

In a decision that, practically, provides for only a tiny loss of protection for the behemoth brand and trade mark, on 5 June 2024 the European General Court (General Court) partially revoked McDonald's BIG MAC trade mark (the EUTM) in the EU (Supermac's (Holdings) Ltd v EUIPO (Case T 58/23)).

Thinking - Blog

Supreme Court dismisses Amazon's appeal in landmark decision on consumer targeting

Published on 29 Apr 2024. By Sarah Mountain, Partner

In a unanimous decision, the Supreme Court has dismissed Amazon's appeal against a Court of Appeal (CoA) decision, which found that the sale of branded goods on Amazon's US site, amazon.com, infringed UK and EU trade marks by virtue of the fact that UK consumers had been targeted.

Thinking - Blog

Benchmarkalikes – Aldi's Taurus cloudy cider lemon leaves Thatchers Cider with a headache

Published on 29 Apr 2024. By Joshy Thomas, Knowledge Lawyer

In a recently dismissed claim for trade mark infringement and passing off brought by Thatchers Cider we see so called lookalike or "copycat" products continue to provide a major headache for brands. It's the latest in a line of cases showing that the answer to issues arising from supermarkets' "inspired" alternatives, increasingly is rarely found in trade mark or passing off rights.

Thinking - Blog

The status of parallel trade in the European Union and the UK

Published on 12 Apr 2024. By Jani Ihalainen, Associate

The following article is a collaboration between Jani Ihalainen of RPC and PDGB (Virginie Coursière-Pluntz and Benjamin Jacob), RPC's partner firm in France through its TerraLex network.

Thinking - Blog

Ginfringement: Success for M&S in the Court of Appeal in registered design spat with Aldi

Published on 15 Mar 2024. By Rory Graham, Associate and Georgia Davis, Of Counsel

M&S and Aldi's gin bottle battle over design rights has reached a conclusion (for now) as the Court of Appeal has unanimously upheld the IPEC's decision that Aldi's bottle infringed M&S' design.

Thinking - Blog

Clear as gin: M&S and Aldi take liquor bottle battle to the Court of Appeal

Published on 26 Jan 2024. By Rory Graham, Associate and Georgia Davis, Of Counsel

Intellectual property enthusiasts' favourite supermarket adversaries were back at loggerheads this week as M&S and Aldi appear before the Court of Appeal. The pair sought to thrash out a first instance decision handed down in the Intellectual Property Enterprise Court (IPEC) regarding alleged infringement of M&S' registered design rights in a gin bottle.