Many kinds of business arrangement can involve considerations of Information Technology ('IT') – and thus of information technology law. These could include e.g. software licences, or contracts for the trial and development of software. Such agreements may be fairly straightforward in content. Alternatively, they may involve considerably more complex, ‘bespoke’ agreements drafted to meet the needs of those engaged in IT design and development. Consultancy may be involved in such software and digital issues.

The speed at which technology and digital technology law (both national and international) change requires constant re-assessment of the legal issues and of the commercial basis of today’s IT, software and digital industries.

In the field of digital media distribution, the pace of advancement in technology has resulted in a multitude of novel platforms and methods of delivery. Content owners and delivery entities are required to review their business models and update them with some frequency. Excitingly, this pace of change has resulted in an alteration in the traditional revenue streams and the advent of new kinds of commercial liaisons.

Below, are some of the IT areas upon which we can advise you:

• E-commerce development
• Digital distribution of sound & visual recordings, including downloads and streaming
• Confidential information
• Software issues, including development and commissioning of specialised software
• Supply and maintenance agreements
• Music and other software licensing, plus other agreements
• Website development agreements
• Data rights
• Domain name matters, including transfers
• Data protection, privacy and policy for websites
• Terms & conditions for effecting business via the website
• Terms & conditions for use of the website
• Acceptable use policy.

As it is acknowledged that the internet embraces an inherently international character, the guidance which we provide on the relevant issues and on the potential means of their resolution will frequently be influenced by the inter-continental nature of the matter.

For more information about this please contact David Main at dm@wdavies.com or Graham Mott on gm@wdavies.com