Tarantino’s screenplay, not Tarantino himself. Norton Rose Fulbright explains that the case “highlights the fact that NFTs, while uniquely intangible, are not exempt from the same intellectual property restrictions placed on traditionally tangible goods”. It’s likely that as more cases arise, the legal and regulatory issues under question will be clarified, so this space is definitely worth watching! Net zero Warmer weather, grass fires and rising sea levels are among some of the issues caused by climate change. It’s a conversation that’s been ongoing for years now, but what are the recent legal developments you should be aware of? Net zero refers to the “cutting of greenhouse gas emissions to as close to zero as possible, with any remaining emissions re-absorbed from the atmosphere, by oceans and forests for instance”, according to the United Nations. To get to net zero requires a “complete transformation of how we produce, consume, and move about”. In a recent landmark ruling, the High Court ordered the government to outline its specific plans for achieving its net-zero emission targets, following allegations from environment groups, including Friends of the Earth and the Good Law Project, that the government had failed to include its exact policies on reaching these targets. Mr Justice Holgate states that the government didn’t meet its obligations under the Climate Change Act 2008, ordering the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy to prepare a report by 2023 explaining how the policies in the government’s net-zero strategy will work towards reducing emissions. Brexit trade deals Issues to do with the UK’s exit from the EU continue. Most notably in recent months is
• Shakespeare Martineau LLP bought Bristol- based firm GL Law in May, adding more than £4.5 million to the group’s turnover and a further 60 people to its team.
• Knights Plc completed two mergers, acquiring Langleys Solicitors LLP in
January as part of an £11.5 million deal and South East firm Coffin Mew LLP in May for the same amount. • In July, Womble Bond Dickinson completed its acquisition of San Francisco-based firm Cooper, White & Cooper, with the expansion coming into effect from 1 September 2022. Legal developments – talking points NFTs Non-fungible token (NFT) is one of those phrases that’s somehow already found its way into our day-to-day vocabulary. The popularity of NFTs is constantly growing and the legal implications surrounding them are becoming increasingly important. Business Insider defines an NFT as “a digital asset that links ownership to unique physical or digital items, such as works of art, real estate, music or videos”. It acts as proof of ownership of various types of asset and has its own unique, identifying characteristics. There’s lots to learn about NFTs and how they work, including the ‘minting’ process, which refers to the process of converting a digital file into a blockchain-based NFT. But what legal and regulatory issues should you be aware of when discussing NFTs? Are NFTs recognised as property? How should NFTs be treated when it comes to tax? Do the IP rights attached to the NFT transfer to the NFT owner? In a recent Commercial Question on LawCareers.Net, Norton Rose Fulbright considers whether NFTs are exempt from IP restrictions placed on tangible goods following director Quentin Tarantino’s decision to auction excerpts from the original handwritten screenplay of Pulp Fiction as NFTs. Production company Miramax alleged that it actually owns the rights to the film and
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