UK Knowledge Collection | EU consumer law, healthcare regulator changes, and IP value in M&A and PFI deals
Published on 25th Oct 2024
Welcome to this week's Knowledge Collection
The European Commission has concluded that the EU's consumer law framework should be updated if it is to provide a high level of consumer protection online. Inadequacies identified, following its digital fairness "fitness check", include legal certainty, regulatory fragmentation and enforcement. While areas for improvement have been identified, no concrete changes have been suggested at this stage. Our Insight considers the Commission's findings and the future direction of travel for potential reforms.
Businesses operating in the health and social care sector in the UK have seen significant recent developments, with the Care Quality Commission increasing its enforcement activity while criticism of its new single assessment framework mounts – and further reform likely. Our Insight explores the impact on the sector of further shifts in the regulator's approach as it adapts to concerns raised and recommendations made in a review of its new framework.
Our webinar next week looks at the European life science and healthcare sector, focusing on the impact of regulatory and intellectual property issues on the merger and acquisition process. Our Insight on the private finance initiative handback process considers the importance of IP assets in discussions between the parties, and our IP webinar series covers a variety of topics including AI, data, and case law trends for trade marks and from the Unified Patent Court.
Recent Insights
Commission finds EU consumer law inadequate to protect consumers in the digital world
The Commission's report finds the current principle-based rules only partially meet their goals in the digital world, but the report is vague as to next steps.
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England's health and social care sector can expect more change at the Care Quality Commission
Uncertain times for businesses and individuals operating in the healthcare sector, still getting to grips with the CQC's new single assessment framework, as further reforms look possible.
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UK PFI handbacks: remember the value of technology, data and IP assets
Private finance initiative stakeholders preparing for the handback of over 500 contracts should not overlook the value of the technology, data and other IP assets interwoven into these projects.
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The Energy Transition
The weekly round-up of developments in the UK's transition to net zero includes the government's call for evidence on the long-term future of the capacity market to strengthen supply security.
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Where next for UK green consumer finance?
The growth of the green consumer finance sector is hampered by a range of practical and regulatory challenges, but there are potential industry-led solutions and measures the government could take to boost it.
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Upcoming Events
Life Sciences Academy | Navigating regulatory and IP challenges in European M&A
29 October | 16:00-17:00
This webinar examines the structure of a typical acquisition of target companies in the life sciences sector in Europe, including the impact of regulatory and IP issues on the process and timing.
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Navigating the future of IP
AI and IP: case law and legislative developments
4 November | 16:00-17:00
An international overview of what to consider when using artificial intelligence, including protecting your output, defending your rights, and avoiding infringement of third-party rights.
The value of data and IP
6 November | 16:00-17:00
Insights from the EU and UK on accessing data, understanding its value, and leveraging IP rights to exploit and protect your data assets.
Trade mark trends 2024: UK and EU case review in the Brexit era
11 November | 16:00-17:00
A review of the key UK and EU trade mark and soft IP cases from 2024, and the differences and similarities between the UK and EU nearly five years post-Brexit.
Current trends and hot topics in AI licensing
13 November | 16:00-17:00
This webinar will explore licensing AI technologies and AI-generated output, best practices for negotiations, ensuring compliance and protecting IP.
Lessons from the first 18 months of the Unified Patent Court
19 November | 16:00-17:00
A discussion of the latest and most relevant case law for life sciences companies, including practical steps to help businesses prepare to successfully enforce and defend their rights before the UPC.
The changing landscape for platform liability in the EU and its impact in the UK
20 November | 16:00-17:00
This webinar will explore recent developments and case law in the liability of online platforms for IP infringements in the EU via the Digital Services Act and the national implementations in Germany and France, and the current position and recent case law in the UK.
OTT Forum
19 November | One London Wall | 09:00-12:00
An in-person forum for legal counsel from businesses with over-the-top subscription services will explore topics including the EU digital fairness fitness check; the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act; recent UK advertising laws and cases; developments in France and Poland; consumer enforcement in Germany; and BEUC's Game Over report.
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The All Day Breakfast
20 November | One London Wall | 08:30-12:30
An in-person conference on the most pressing compliance issues for businesses, featuring an interactive workshop addressing how to get your business aligned with your ESG obligations and specialist roundtables on failure to prevent tax evasion, anti-money laundering risk in unsupervised firms, competition compliance in a digital world, and recent developments affecting sanctions compliance.
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