FAST Legal Update Member Bulletin – January 2025
In this newsletter, we explore some recent developments in the CJEU, with the EU court ruling on copyright protection for software variables. We also consider legislative updates, with a progress update on the Cyber Security and Resilience Bill, and a new bill of interest in the form of the Data Use and Access Bill. This issue also covers a range of updates and action in the artificial intelligence space, including the launch of a consultation on the application of UK copyright law to the training of AI models, and new initiatives seeking to ensure the safe use of AI.
FAST Legal Update Member Bulletin – September 2024
In this bulletin we delve into a variety of topics, including the outcome of the King’s Speech in the form of two new bills: the Cyber Security and Resilience Bill, and the Digital Information and Smart Data Bill. This issue also covers recent cyber incidents, including the high-profile CrowdStrike outage and the cyberattack against the NHS. Finally, we turn to a recurring focus of these updates, namely developments in the artificial intelligence space; we consider potential action that may take place following DSIT’s call for evidence and the EU AI Act now having entered into force.
FAST Legal Update Member Bulletin – May 2024
In this bulletin we delve into a variety of topics, including the recent Court of Appeal judgment in Parker-Grennan v Camelot UK Lotteries Limited, the perils of generative AI in the court room and the disruption of LockBit, a well-known ransomware enterprise. Also discussed are what the Data Protection and Digital Information Bill (‘DPDI Bill’) might mean for the UK and its future ‘adequacy’ in an EU data protection context. Finally we turn to the government’s response to a call for views on software risks for businesses and organisations.
FAST join the Parliamentary Internet, Communications and Technology Forum
One of our aims at FAST is to strengthen the rights of Software owners. As part of that vision we are making new steps to get in front of parliamentarians, influencers and policy makers to help our members have a say in new initiatives and potential regulation.
Is Your Software IP Really Your IP?
What is in Your Software? In the age of modern software development, developers share and contribute the source code of libraries, components and frameworks on code sharing websites such as GitHub and npm. These components are typically shared under an open source software licence. This enables other developers to re-use these components on other projects and, means they do […]
IP Conflicts in Technical Due Diligence
By Holly Wyld, Governance Specialist at Source Code Control Ltd Third-Party Software in M&A If an E-Commerce cloud solution contained 27 open source licences, two of which require the entire source code to the solution to be made available, 53 copyright statements, 29 critical risk security vulnerabilities and all licence obligations are currently not met […]
FAST Legal Update Member Bulletin – January 2023
In this newsletter we explore some recent developments in Cyber Security guidance for organisations following recent ICO enforcement action, and the regulatory impact on the UK crypto market following the collapse of FTX. We also consider some key judgments in recent case law including the long-awaited decision on the U.S. Navy v GmBH software piracy […]
The legal importance of IP for small and medium-sized businesses within the UK
Hana Hassanbek – Brandsmiths Background Protecting Intellectual Property (IP) is one of the most valuable assets for any business. IP protection is vital for growth and innovation of a business. Incorporating IP into business strategy allows firms to distinguish themselves from competitors and creates a brand identity. It also adds significant value to a business […]
Whistle-blower’s claims lead to £48,500 of software recoveries at Scottish employment agency
FAST urges people to report software misuse The Federation Against Software Theft (FAST) is urging employees who have real concerns over the misuse of software in the working environment, to report it. This call to action follows recent research from the charity Public Concern at Work, which found that three out of four whistle-blowers, who […]
Federation Against Software Theft warns of uncertainties of second-hand software
FAST issues “buyer beware” warning Legal issues relating to Second Hand Software have been attracting attention for some time now. Those issues appear to sit in a developing area of law and it is difficult to anticipate where the law will finally settle. This happens at a time that FAST has had to terminate […]