The monthly Technology and Media Bulletin from Withy King aims to bring to your attention the key issues happening in the technology and media world, and includes the latest news and cases in the areas of:
- Intellectual property
- Information technology & e-commerce
- Data protection & communications
- Technology & Media team present a joint branding event
- Technology and Media team expands
New rules on opportunistic company name registrationsdue to come into force in October 2008: A Companies Names Tribunal has been established as part of the Intellectual Property Office. The new rules will deal with individuals or businesses who have registered a company name with the intent of selling it back to the rightful owner. However the rules may also be a useful tactic where businesses would like to acquire a company name if the registered owner of the name does not respond to the objection. Please click here to read more.
Information technology & e-commerce
Credit Crunch Cyber-squatting: Banks and other businesses are having a tough time in today’s economy and cyber-squatters are making the most of it. With potential mergers between banks and other financial institutions, cyber-squatters are avidly watching the financial meltdown and pouncing on possible names. For example, as HBOS was in talks with Lloyds, cyber-squatters seized domain names such as hboslloydstsb.com.
Data protection & communications
M&S required child’s permission to deal with mother’s complaint: The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) urges businesses not to use Data Protection Act as an excuse for a lack of common sense. The ICO stated that an M&S employee recently used the Data Protection Act as a duck-out when dealing with a complaint. The customer services operative explained to the mother of a 7 year old boy, who received a superman costume as a gift that they could only speak to the recipient of the item in order to deal with the complaint.
In addition to the on-line protection advice, the ICO also has advice on student’s exam results and the Data Protection Act. On the site information is given on how to find more about the grade results and comments made as well as information on making an appeal. Click here to visit the information site.
Technology & Media team present a joint branding event
Withy King's Technology & Media team is co-hosting a seminar on successful branding. Organised jointly by Withy King Solicitors and Creative Rush Ltd, the seminar will take place on Tuesday 25 November 2008 at The Liddington Hotel Nr Swindon.
Whatever the economic climate, a comprehensive approach to branding is essential in order to maintain your competitive advantage. Experts from Withy King and Creative Rush Ltd will take you through:
- Re-branding or reviewing your existing brand portfolio
- Obtaining a company name when someone else has got there first
- Reviewing your trade mark portfolio
- Acquiring and merging new brands / products into existing ones.
The venue
The Liddington hotel is located near Swindon off J15 of the M4.
There is no charge for attending this event.
If you would like to join us for this seminar, please contact Anna Arakcheeva at Withy King on 01225 352833 or on anna.arakcheeva@withyking.co.uk.
Technology and Media team expands
Simon Fisher joins the team having trained with Withy King. Simon deals with commercial and contractual matters, including trade marks, e-commerce, web content protection, website usage and brand and copyright protection. Simon also has a particular interest in media-related copyright.
Withy King Solicitors is not responsible for the content of external websites.
