Welcome to the Spring edition of Brand Matters. Many businesses are currently focussed on issues arising as a result of COVID-19 and its impact on their workforce health and safety, insurance, contracts and business continuity. We have created a cross-Firm group to answer any legal, practical or operational questions you may have and have published practical guidance across these areas. If you have any queries concerning the impact on your business, please feel free to get in touch with anyone in the team.
Brexit also remains on the agenda. With the UK having left the EU on 31 January, we are now in a 'business as usual' transition period until 31 December 2020 – we look at what this means in practice, as well as the Government's plans to introduce a points-based immigration system, and how businesses should be preparing.
We also report on a number of important Court cases, including the much-anticipated decision in SkyKick and developments in relation to protection of fashion and other designs through copyright. We discuss updated guidance from the Advertising Standards Authority in relation to influencer advertising, as well as the implications of the Food Standards Agency's recent announcement concerning CBD products. Data protection also features, with our in-depth report on children's data protection rights, and a reminder to fashion brands about their obligations when marketing to consumers.
Lastly, we were delighted recently to be awarded three awards at the Managing Intellectual Property IP Stars Awards, including Trade Mark and Copyright Impact Cases of the Year. Click here to read more.
I hope you enjoy reading this edition, please do get in touch if you have any comments or wish to discuss any of the issues raised in more detail.
I wish you, your family, friends and colleagues all the best at this difficult time.