Technology & Communications

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Overview

Technology has revolutionised the way the modern world communicates. The legal and commercial implications are complex and rapidly-evolving – and impact upon every organisation. Bird & Bird has built a stellar, global reputation for providing sophisticated, pragmatic advice to companies which are carving the world's digital future. Working with market-leading companies producing some of the most cutting-edge technology in the world, our client base ranges from blue chip tech multinationals, rapidly expanding international companies, start-ups/SMES through to users of tech services in both the private and public sectors.

We've assembled a global team of over 450 expert lawyers with a deep understanding of Communications; Devices & Components; Digital Tech & eCommerce; and Software & Services, as well as a number of more specialist industries including Data Centres; EdTech; FinTech; Postal; Satellites; and Social Media & Digital Content Providers.

These industries are changing; the transformation is fast, bold and irreversible. Modern consumer and business life depends on telecoms networks and digital infrastructure, and the revolution offers your business an opportunity to rebuild your position, adjust your approach and innovate. 

In the global digital economy, where your business's legal needs are international by default, we can offer you unsurpassed experience of advising on complex international projects. Our coordinated teams of lawyers can work closely with you to deliver seamless cross-jurisdictional advice. As your issues often cut across multiple areas of law, we involve experts from all relevant practice groups.  The connector between them is our focus on industries that are changing or being changed by technology and the digital world. 

We can give you incisive insight into a number of the key developments that are shaping the future of the sector including:

  • Agile development methodologies
  • Artificial intelligence
  • Augmented reality and virtual reality
  • Big data analytics
  • Blockchain and distributed ledgers
  • Cloud services
  • Cyber and IT security
  • 5G
  • M2M and IoT
  • Mobile payments and apps
  • Open source and open data
  • Robotics
  • Software patentability
  • Smart Networks and smart cities
  • Spectrum auctions, sharing and trading
  • 3D printing
  • Undersea cables

Take a look at our videos on the impact of wearables on privacy and regulation; the regulations of autonomous driving; Blockchain technology; plus the use of disruptive technology in autonomous vehicles for more insights into the specialist areas we can advise you on.

If you'd like to know more about how we can help your business, please contact one of our Co-Heads of Group Fabian Niemann in Germany, or Ted Chwu in China.

Contacts

Fabian Niemann

Dr. Fabian Niemann

Partner, Global Co-Head of Tech & Comms
Germany

Call me on: +49 (0)69 74222 6000
vCard Location
Chwu-Ted

Ted Chwu

Partner, Global Co-Head of Tech & Comms
China

Call me on: +852 2248 6000
vCard Location

View further contacts

Recent highlights of work

  • We have advised on network sharing arrangements, spectrum auctions and disputes across Europe.
  • We helped a European telecommunications operator, listed on the Swedish stock exchange, to successfully secure a fixed-line contract with the Dutch Government, following a two-year battle before the Dutch regulator and courts. The multi million euro contract covers over 100 state departments and organisations.
  • Our French team has assisted numerous governments across the African continent in reviewing their legal and regulatory telecommunications framework, taking into account both international best practice and local context.
  • Bird & Bird lawyers from Spain, France and Belgium advised a satellite services provider on a number of legal matters, including establishing procedures for the selection of subcontractors and suppliers and the management of contractual obligations.
  • We advised on the rebranding of a MNO in the UK which transitioned from two existing brands. We were engaged early on in the project in order to 'clear' and advise on the risk of the new brands and supporting propositions for the new 4G service. Closer to delivery we obtained trade mark protection for the new brands through our filing service, and advised on seeking protection for innovative trade marks such as colours, animated marks and sounds.
  • We advised a client on the acquisition of an East African telecoms portfolio in a deal that will create Africa’s largest single fibre network, connecting more African countries than any other single fibre network.
  • We have been acting for Nokia against IPCom, in the biggest and longest running patent litigation in the communications sector, resulting in over 60 of IPCom's patents being found invalid. Bird & Bird has acted on the litigation in the UK, Germany and Italy (and the EPO) which is ongoing but with the bulk of the issue now being resolved, the result has been an overwhelming success for Nokia. This work has seen the team win ‘TMT Team of the Year’ at the 2013 Legal Business Awards and ‘Highly Commended’ in the FT Innovative Lawyer Report in 2012.
  • We obtained a landmark decision for our major client Belgacom (the Scarlet case) from the European Court of Justice (CJEU). The CJEU ruled that an Internet Service Provider (ISP) cannot be ordered to deploy a generalised filtering system on its network to block the exchange of musical files not authorised by the copyright holders. As part of this work we had to compare copyright law on specific issues in various member states, the spread of our international team was integral to providing a seamless response to Belgacom.
  • We assist one of the world’s largest computer manufacturers with their day-to-day legal commercial work across Europe, the Middle East and Africa since 2005. We provide a seamless coordinated service that is highly valued by the EMEA GC and the in-house team. We provide a Client Relationship Executive who acts as a one-stop-shop point of contact for the legal team to access lawyers across our 25 offices and beyond.
  • Bird & Bird have provided continuing input on the legal and commercial implications and challenges of the UK Government moving to cloud computing, including the appropriate risk allocations, governance structures and approaches to accreditation. Our work on the G-Cloud initiative demonstrates our commitment to helping enable and shape the future IT marketplace for the public sector and beyond, and our ability to engage meaningfully at a strategic as well as a transactional level with extremely complex areas of IT and policy.
  • We act as the main European legal service provider for an Indian headquartered technology services corporation. Advising on numerous commercial matters and providing advice on contractual, corporate, intellectual property, employment, data protection and regulatory matters for this major client from various international offices.
  • We advised a Japanese multinational video game developer on the outsourcing of the group’s warehousing, distribution and stock control functions for Western Europe. This involved a major re-organisation and rationalising of existing warehousing facilities from Holland, Belgium, France and Spain to a new centre based in Mechelen (north of Brussels). New IT systems and process and order tracking were an integral part of the outsourcing as were new business practices in ‘just in time’ ordering and delivery.
  • We advised a Danish software developer, on an "Agile Development" agreement with an automotive manufacturer for the development of a feature and configuration tool to support production requirements. Using agile as the development methodology also makes this transaction relatively rare being an early follower of the trend to move away from the traditional "waterfall" development methodology. This work was Highly Commended in the FT Innovative Lawyer Report in 2012.
  • We advised a specialist financial services software house on various open source licensing issues in connection with its take-over by a Private Equity Asset Management Firm. Since the take-over we have continued to act for the client on the regularisation of its commercial contracts.

Accolades

  • "I am incredibly impressed with the level of service and the manner in which they interact with you as a client"

    Chambers Europe 2017

  • Formidable reputation for IP litigation and broader commercial disputes with an excellent presence in the IT sector. Handles outsourcing, data protection and transactional matters across many key Western European jurisdictions, with an increasingly impressive reputation in Eastern markets including Poland.

    Chambers Europe 2016

  • Robust TMT practice with an imposing presence in Europe and continuing expansion in the Middle East and Asia. Advises a wide range of clients including technology firms, regulators and public sector bodies on regulatory and commercial matters, and international disputes, as well as media financing, licensing and distribution. Also noted for offering expertise for issues relating to big data and cybersecurity.

    Chambers Global 2016

  • Highly regarded practitioners offering expertise on transactions and disputes in the technology and telecommunications sectors from offices in Beijing, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Singapore and Sydney. Also bolstered by Japan and India desks. Core areas of proficiency include big data, cyber and IT security, mobile payments, robotics and software patentability.

    Chambers Asia Pacfic 2016

  • "A sought-after team of skilled lawyers offering expertise on all aspects of TMT work, from advisory and regulatory matters to disputes. Areas of particular focus include data protection law and software licensing. "I can't think of anything that could have been improved. I think they have a great business in China, as they have both international expertise and an understanding of the local market."

    Chambers Asia Pacific 2015

  • Enviably strong TMT practice in Europe and expanding in Asia and the Middle East. At the forefront of developments in the sector, advising on issues such as cloud services, big data, spectrum, mobile payment and network sharing. Provides an array of expertise, encompassing corporate, outsourcing, data protection and regulatory compliance, to clients including large technology firms and high-profile media groups.

    Chambers Global 2015

  • "Superb Europe-wide TMT group with prominent teams in the UK, Germany, Italy, Spain and the Netherlands. Extensive knowledge of telecoms, technology and media, and often works closely with the firm's IP group. Notable recent activity includes financial technology, mobile gaming and music and entertainment."

    Chambers Global 2015

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