In this edition, we unpack the EU AI Act’s transparency obligations, highlighting recent developments and timelines for compliance. Additionally, we explore how businesses can challenge procurement decisions in government IT contracts and review the CMA’s updated guidance on unfair contract terms marking 10 years since the Consumer Rights Act 2015 was introduced. We also address the latest updates in data protection law. Finally, we cover the UK Government’s recently published Report on Copyright and Artificial Intelligence, which follows its consultation.
Recent Harbottle highlights include advising on the sale of After Party Studios to SISTER Group and launching our Indie Games Collective to mentor early-stage games businesses. We also published a thought leadership piece on AI-enabled cyber threats and, at C5’s AI & crypto fraud conference, Lizzie Williams shared insights on resolving smart contract disputes.
A core requirement imposed by the EU AI Act (the Act) is in respect of transparency obligations for the AI systems used. The majority of the Act is expected to come into force on 2 August 2026. The European Parliament, however, has agreed a proposal that would delay the obligations imposed in respect of high risk AI systems.
If your business enters into contracts with public sector entities for the provision of IT or related services, you will be familiar with the public sector tender and procurement processes. But are you familiar with what can be done to challenge the outcome of those processes?
If you deal with consumers, then you need to know how consumer law applies to your contract terms and notices. Ten years on from the introduction of the Consumer Rights Act 2015, the Competition and Markets Authority is revising its current guidance on unfair contract terms.
The Government has published its much-anticipated Report on Copyright and Artificial Intelligence, which follows a consultation that ran from 17 December 2024 to 25 February 2025.
This update includes key developments such as the ICO-HMG memorandum on data protection, new provisions under the Data (Use and Access) Act, guidance on international data transfers and age assurance, and significant enforcement actions like fines for unsolicited marketing, misuse of biometric data, and breaches involving children’s data, alongside global concerns over AI and high-profile investigations.
We have recently advised the shareholders of After Party Studios, a digital-first creative production company, on the sale of a majority stake to SISTER Group.
We recently launched our IGC, a mentorship programme which offers legal guidance to early-stage games businesses, to help them navigate in their next steps in the industry.
Our new thought leadership piece, developed with Sodali & Co and LevelBlue, builds on insights from our recent event. It highlights key AI-enabled cyber threats, offers practical talking points, and provides actionable recommendations to support informed discussions with risk, legal, and cyber security teams.
Lizzie Williams recently spoke at this annual conference hosted by C5 Communications. She joined a panel to discuss smart contract disputes: what they are, how to avoid them and how to resolve them. The session proved valuable for those interested in coded contracts.
Please contact our technology experts if you would like to discuss anything in this briefing.