Telecoms
The Lawyer
Court of Appeal confirms cross-border non-infringement jurisdiction download
The Court of Appeal has confirmed that the English court has cross-border non-infringement jurisdiction.
Taylor Wessing advises iCITY and Infinity in landmark Olympic legacy deal
Taylor Wessing has advised on a deal that will secure the long-term future of the former Olympic press and broadcast centre.
Data Protection Policies — update from Global Data Hub weblink
Taylor Wessing has added a fresh batch of data-protection-focused content to its Global Data Hub site.
Bring your own device: ICO publishes new guidance download
The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has published new guidance on ‘bring your own device’.
DLA Piper represents Los Angeles Lakers in putative class action
DLA Piper has acted for the Los Angeles Lakers in a putative class action brought by a ticket holder accusing the basketball franchise of sending unsolicited text messages.
Nokia Siemens picks Tetra Pak's Varsellona as latest legal chief
Nokia Siemens Networks (NSN) has appointed Tetra Pak general counsel Maria Varsellona as its new legal chief following the exit of Joyce Norcini from the Finnish telecoms group.
HTC v Apple: UK Court of Appeal decision weblink
Judgment of the UK Court of Appeal in the patent case HTC v Apple (Case nos. A3/2012/2043 and 2044) has been delivered.
Sports, Media and Entertainment Intelligence — May 2013 weblink
The May 2013 issue of DLA Piper’s Sports, Media and Entertainment Intelligence briefing is available now.
Technology and Sourcing News (UK) — April 2013 weblink
The April 2013 edition of DLA Piper’s Technology and Sourcing News (UK) briefing is available now.
Al Tamimi appoints Chris Appleby as regional head of technology, media and telecoms
Chris Appleby has been appointed as the new regional head of technology, media and telecommunications at Al Tamimi & Company.
Audio evidence: the power of sound download
The technologies available to deal with audio evidence are evolving rapidly.
Radar: Technology & Communications Update — May 2013 weblink
This month’s issue focuses on the new Defamation Act 2013 and the Supreme Court’s view on browsing the internet without permission from the relevant copyright holder.
Krogerus advises DNA on acquisition of PlusTV from Teracom Group
Krogerus is advising Finnish telecommunications company DNA on its acquisition of Digi TV Plus (known by the name PlusTV) from Sweden-based Teracom Group.
Appleby wins ALB's Technology, Media and Telecoms Deal of the Year award
Appleby has won Technology, Media and Telecoms Deal of the Year at the Asian Legal Business China Law Awards.
Bakers, OC take roles as Best Buy exits Carphone Warehouse JV
Baker & McKenzie, Clifford Chance and Osborne Clarke (OC) have advised on Best Buy’s £471m exit from Europe
EU accelerates proposals for a single telecoms market download
The EU digital commissioner, Neelie Kroes, has indicated that the EU plans to accelerate its proposals for a single market for European telecoms.
Data & Information E-Alerts: 19 April 2013 download
Addleshaw Goddard has released the 19 April 2013 edition of its Data & Information E-Alerts.
Olswang advises Scripps Networks Interactive on food channel acquisition
Olswang has acted for Scripps Networks Interactive in its acquisition of the Asian Food Channel.
Will Supreme Court ruling affect businesses offering 'repair and replace' warranties? download
The Financial Services Authority (now replaced by the FCA) took action against Digital Satellite Warranty Cover Ltd to wind it up ‘in the public interest’.
Satellite utilisation: a new government policy download
The federal government released Australia’s Satellite Utilisation Policy on 9 April 2013.
Back to the drawing board for broadband policy? Coalition’s plan to overhaul NBN download
The Coalition’s long-awaited alternative plan for the NBN has substantial implications for the Australian telecommunications industry.
Mark Owen joins Taylor Wessing's international TMT group
Taylor Wessing has announced that it has appointed Mark Owen to its international technology, media and telecommunications (TMT) group.
Auto-enrolment in the technology sector download
Young, dynamic industries such as the technology sector have perhaps felt rather smug that they are not embroiled in the complexities that surround pension provision.
Legal 500 2013 EMEA edition ranks Olswang in eight practice areas
Olswang has been recognised by Legal 500 in its 2013 EMEA edition.
Eversheds and OC join US firms as Cisco buys UK's Ubiquisys
Eversheds and Osborne Clarke (OC) have taken the lead UK roles on networking giant Cisco’s $310m (£205m) acquisition of Swindon-based technology group Ubiquisys.
Radar: Technology & Communications Update — April 2013 weblink
This issue of Radar looks at privacy issues with apps on smart devices in the context of a recent Article 29 Working Party Opinion.
King & Wood Mallesons advises Leighton Holdings on sale of telecoms assets
King & Wood Mallesons has advised Leighton Holdings on the sale of its telecommunications assets to Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan.
Hogan Lovells celebrates ECJ referral for ZTE in Huawei patent battle
Hogan Lovells has gained an ECJ referral on behalf of client ZTE in its patent dispute with Huawei.
Chambers Global 2013 — DLA Piper full ranking summary download
DLA Piper has released a summary of all of the firm’s rankings and editorial commentary in Chambers Global 2013.
Media specialists join Freshfields and CMS on global BT panel
BT has finalised a new ‘network’ of law firms to advise it around the world, with Carter-Ruck, Olswang, Sheridans and Wiggin winning spots.
Olswang announces partner promotions
Olswang has announced a series of partner promotions.
Tru life
Truphone GC Greg Mappledoram has his work cut out to help the legal function keep pace with the business - it has just had a £70m investment from Roman Abramovich
Simmons & Simmons advises Equinix on acquisition and alliance
Simmons & Simmons has advised Equinix on its acquisition of a data centre facility in Dubai and alliance with Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company.
Chambers & Partners ranks Olswang in band one for its Singapore TMT practice
Olswang has been recognised by Chambers & Partners as one of only four band-one international TMT practices in Singapore in the guide’s 2013 Asia-Pacific edition.
Samsung v Apple: English High Court decision — three Samsung patents invalid download
Mr Justice Floyd has given two judgments in the case of Samsung Electronics v Apple Retail UK and others, concerning three patents owned by Samsung that were alleged to be infringed by Apple’s 3G devices.
Olswang partners win accolades at ILO's Client Choice Awards
Two partners at Olswang have been recognised by the International Law Office in its Client Choice Awards 2013.
Chadbourne & Parke appoints four attorneys to counsel in New York and Washington DC
Chadbourne promotes four attorneys to counsel in New York and Washington DC.
Pamboridis acts as head counsel and project legal leader in Hella Sat purchase negotiations
Pamboridis acts as head counsel for Hellas Sat purchase negotiations.
Akin Gump and Skadden advise as Vimpelcom issues $2bn eurobond
Akin Gump and Skadden scoop lead advisory roles as a eurobond issued by mobile phone operator Vimpelcom raises $2bn to refinance company’s debt.
Olswang writes arbitration note for LexisPSL
Olswang’s arbitration team has been chosen to write the ‘Arbitration in the TMT Sectors’ practice note for LexisNexis’s new legal knowledge site, LexisPSL.
Technology, media and telecommunications
Krogerus has a leading technology, media and telecommunications practice in Finland. We regularly advise clients on challenging, complex and high-profile assignments.
Telecom media and technology
The Telecom Media and Technology (TMT) practice group at Chadbourne & Parke is a team of experienced attorneys and regulatory consultants who provide a complete and co-ordinated approach to a range of matters.
Al Tamimi announces partner promotions across the Middle East
Al Tamimi & Company has announced a series of partner promotions across the Middle East.
Technology, media and telecommunications
Our technology, media and telecommunications (TMT) team comprises lawyers with a diverse range of specialist skills, experience and backgrounds, which allows us to provide a complete regional solution to the legal services requirements of clients operating in the TMT industries.
Telecommunications
Curtis counsels some of the telecommunications sector’s most prominent public companies, underwriters and governments.
Appleby acts as counsel on Euroset mobile phone deal
Appleby has acted British Virgin Islands counsel to Garsdale Services Investment and USM Advisors in connection with the recent acquisition by MegaFon of its indirect 50 per cent stake in Euroset, Russia’s largest mobile phone retailer.
Simmons and in-housers advise as Abramovich invests £70m in Truphone
Simmons & Simmons has advised UK mobile telecoms company Truphone as Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich pays £70m for a 23.3 per cent stake.
FTC announces important settlement with social networking app and releases new mobile app report download
The FTC announced a potentially groundbreaking settlement with the social networking app Path and released an important new staff report on Mobile Privacy Disclosures late last week.
Telecoms Media Technology
Recent development in digital technology has rendered the borders between telecommunication, media and technology obsolete.
Satellite systems procurement: A brief “how-to” guide download
The decision to commission the construction and launch of a satellite system is a multi-year strategic decision for any entity, whether commercial or governmental.
Hot 100: Edward Smith, Telefónica UK video
Things are never dull in the fast-paced telecoms sector but 2012 was a particularly busy time for Telefónica UK as general counsel Edward Smith explains.
Hot 100: Tom Cassels, Baker & McKenzie video
After a year chock-full of judicial review proceedings, what stood out most for Baker & McKenzie partner Tom Cassels (scroll down for video interview) was his ongoing role as adviser to the BBC Trust.
City solicitor wins key data roaming case against T-Mobile
A City litigator has won back nearly £600 in data roaming charges incurred on holiday in Australia after successfully fighting T-Mobile over her new mobile phone contract.
Mayer Brown and Slaughters on adviser roster as CWC sells Macau business
Mayer Brown JSM and Slaughter and May have taken advisory roles on Cable & Wireless Communications’ (CWC) agreement to sell its controlling stake in a Macau telecom company to CITIC Telecom International for $750m (£466m) in cash.
RPC victorious in bid to advise Ofcom on 4G auction
RPC has won a three-way pitch to advise Ofcom on the bidding process for the auction of 4G mobile broadband bandwidth.
Latham and Ropes broker $1.1bn deal to refinance Israeli telecoms group
Latham & Watkins and Ropes & Gray have fielded London teams to advise on a deal that sees a consortium led by Goldman Sachs invest $1.1bn (£680m) to restructure the debt of Israeli telecoms group HOT-Telecommunications Systems as the company’s owner takes the business private.
CC, Freshfields and Links among firms on call for Kazakh mobile IPO
Clifford Chance, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and Linklaters have all clinched roles as Kazakh mobile operator Kcell looks to list in London and Kazakhstan.
DLA and Freshfields earn £775k in fees from BT acquisition
DLA Piper and Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer are set to share an estimated £775,000 in legal fees after winning advisory roles on British Telecommunications’ (BT) acquisition of IT services company Tikit.
BT Group GC takes over company secretary duties
BT Group company secretary Andrew Parker has stepped down from the role, with his responsibilities passing to group general counsel Daniel Fitz.
MoFo and Skadden answer calls for $20bn acquisition of US phone group
US firms Morrison & Foerster (MoFo) and Skadden Arps Meagher & Flom took the lead roles on a deal that sees Japanese telecoms group SoftBank enter the US market by acquiring a 70 per cent stake in American mobile carrier Sprint Nextel.
Ring cycle
The mobile technology sector is moving so fast that Telefonica UK counsel Edward Smith is always on call
Halebury to double in size as it chases ABS
TMT and sports firm Halebury has made a series of major hires in an ongoing recruitment drive ahead of a planned conversion to an ABS model.
Freshfields and Sullivan on call for China Telecom's $13bn asset buy
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and Sullivan & Cromwell have joined Chinese firm Jingtian & Gongcheng advising Hong Kong-listed China Telecom Corporation on its $13.4bn (£8.5bn) acquisition of 3G network infrastructure from its parent company.
Virgin Media cites 'personal reasons' for GC Dresser's exit
Virgin Media general counsel Scott Dresser has resigned “for personal reasons” a little more than 18 months after taking on the role.
Slaughters joins US duo on Samsung deal with UK's CSR
Paul Hastings, Slaughter and May and Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati have secured roles for longstanding clients on Samsung Electronics’ $310m (£198m) acquisition of UK chipmaker CSR’s mobile technology development business.
Herbert Smith and Olswang lead on O2-Vodafone joint venture
Herbert Smith, Linklaters, Olswang and Wragge & Co have all landed roles on a joint venture between O2 and Vodafone that will see the phone companies unite to create a single national grid in the UK.
BT extends panel term for Bird & Bird, CMS and Freshfields
BT has given Bird & Bird, CMS Cameron McKenna and Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer an extra year on its commercial panel before it carries out a review originally due for next month.
Matthew Arnold & Baldwin hires Edwin Coe TMT head
Matthew Arnold & Baldwin (MAB) has added Ted Mercer to the firm’s London TMT sector group.
BT real estate legal chief switches role
The head of BT’s real estate legal team Geoffrey Beedham, who took up his role just last year, is moving to a new role in the telecoms giant.
Beachcroft hires Eversheds partner on back of O2 work
Beachcroft has picked up a partner from Eversheds following a successful pitch for work for telecoms giant O2.
Yahoo! Europe's legal chief takes up new role at CBS Outdoor International
The head of internet giant Yahoo! Sarl’s legal operations Grainne Brankin is leaving the company to join CBS Outdoor International (CBSOI).
FFW guides Azerbaijan on comms satellite deal
Field Fisher Waterhouse (FFW) has advised the Azerbaijan government on the launch of its first communications satellite.
Wragges and 2Birds join Airwave panel
Wragge & Co has been appointed to the first-ever legal panel for Airwave, a company that helps the police and security services communicate without fear of eavesdroppers.
Mourant joins stellar list of transatlantic firms on space broadband deal
Mourant Ozannes has completed work on the fundraising for a $1.2bn (£770m) space satellite programme aimed at providing internet connections to global developing markets.
Siemens outsourcing arm hires UK GC
Siemens IT Solutions and Services, the IT and outsourcing outfit spun off from global electronics company Siemens, has appointed a new UK general counsel.
Akin Gump and Cleary advise on £14bn VimpelCom acquisition
US duo Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld and Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton have landed the prize mandates on a deal to create a $21.5bn (£13.58bn) mobile phone group.
Colt deal expands BLP’s MLS stable
Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) has signed its second five-year deal with a major client to manage its legal needs.
Deutsche Telekom turns to Ashurst for hire of legal chief
Deutsche Telekom has taken its new head of legal from Ashurst’s Frankfurt office.
Nokia Siemens hires HP legal chief as general counsel
Nokia Siemens Networks (NSN) has hired Hewlett-Packard’s (HP) Europe legal chief as its general counsel.
Telefónica O2 UK names new legal chief
Telefónica O2 UK has restructured its senior in-house legal team, promoting Ed Smith to head of the group.
TW fills gap with new head of telecoms
Taylor Wessing has named Alcatel-Lucent corporate counsel Patrick Clark as its new head of telecoms, replacing Ted Mercer who joined Edwin Coe earlier this year.
BT names next legal chief as Fletcher steps down
BT group general counsel Anne Fletcher has stepped down, with former Misys general counsel Daniel Fitz poised to take over her role.
Vodafone names former Reuters legal chief as next GC
Vodafone Group has appointed a new general counsel to replace Stephen Scott, who is to retire after 30 years with the phone company.
Norton Rose joins CC on Orange's T-Mobile merger
Clifford Chance and Norton Rose are advising on the potential merger of T-Mobile UK and Orange UK in a deal that would create the largest mobile phone operator in the UK.
Freshfields secures South African media merger role
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has been instructed by South African company MTN Group to advise on its merger with mobile operator Bharti Airtel.
Carphone Warehouse and TalkTalk split gets mouths watering
CARPHONE Warehouse is preparing to split in two, with the high street retail arm separating from the TalkTalk telecoms business.
Avanti hires legal chief from Electronic Data Systems
Avanti Communications Group has appointed Patrick Willcocks to the newly-created role of general counsel.
