This interview with Peter Watts takes a look into how intense innovation, diverse deal structures, and political protectionism are changing the face of M&A in the technology, media and telecommunications space. Peter focusses on the following questions:
The evolution of science fiction into science fact has become so prevalent it no longer attracts remark.
Technologies that once lived only in the pages of futuristic novels or the flight deck of the USS Enterprise – like the universally connected mobile phone or DNA editing – already surround us. And, from the driverless car to delivery by drone, if … Continue Reading
For those operating in the TMT sector the pace of change in technology and in business models seems only to be matched by the pace with which regulators rush to keep up.
It can sometimes feel like decisions in Beijing, Brussels, London and Washington, to name but a few, are creating unbeatable headwinds for those looking at cross-border M&A in … Continue Reading
The Chancellor of the Exchequer’s statements of intent on a digital service tax and competition law reforms reinforce other recent indications that the UK government is looking seriously at making significant changes to the way it approaches online platforms and the so called “tech giants”.
Brexit will potentially allow the UK to create its own strategy for the sector without … Continue Reading
The UK Government’s White Paper sets out detailed proposals for the UK’s relationship with the EU following Brexit.
As described in our dissection of the document as a whole, the White Paper sees the digital economy as an area of global opportunity for the UK. So what does the Government have to say about sector?
The White Paper’s distinguishes … Continue Reading
Yesterday the House of Lords published a report into the UK’s digital advertising market. It includes: a call for a CMA study into whether the market is working fairly for businesses and consumers; proposals for enhancing workforce skills and attracting international talent; and, for those who have been involved the debate about digital ads, it covers some familiar themes:
| DSM – What is it about?
In 2018, we will see new EU legislation being widely implemented as part of the EU Commission’s Digital Single Market (DSM) Strategy. The amendments to the current legal framework are far reaching and will potentially be game changing. Some of the key areas to be affected will be: |
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2018 will be another dramatic year for TMT. Our job is to help TMT businesses to chart a course through by bringing together the insights of over 800 lawyers who focus on the sector across six continents. That is why we have asked some of our top thinkers globally to provide a snapshot of their vision for the coming year. … Continue Reading
The European Union will end unjustified geoblocking for consumers wishing to buy products or services online within the EU before the end of next year.
What does this mean?
The European Parliament, the Council and the Commission have reached an agreement whereby consumers will be able to buy goods and services online from any EU country.
The … Continue Reading
Eight months ago, just before the Referendum, I anticipated the implications of a Leave vote for the sector. Today sees the publication of the first results of the Hogan Lovells “Brexometer”, which will track the attitudes of global business to Brexit through the Article 50 process.
What does the Brexometer tell us about the TMT sector?
Like other … Continue Reading
In a February 7, 2017 webinar, the Hogan Lovells Digital Single Market (DSM) team presented its take on new developments for 2017. Peter Watts introduced the session by warning that the loss of the UK voice in EU policy making could lead to rules that are less sensitive to business needs. Marco Berliri commented on the challenges currently facing large … Continue Reading
With drones appearing under many a Christmas tree this year and growing estimates of the industry’s importance, the UK’s Department of Transport launched a review of the regime governing their use.
The “Consultation on the Safe Use of Drones in the UK” looks at the most effective ways of balancing the UK’s aim to be a leading UAV … Continue Reading
In the latest in our series on global M&A, read Andrew McGinty’s perspectives on Chinese investment trends and the impact of policy in China and elsewhere – key to the future of the global TMT deals market.… Continue Reading
Our cross disciplinary London “Tech Hub” last night hosted a great dinner for clients. Greg Williams, Executive Editor of WIRED led a wide ranging discussion. Given “Chatham House rules”, here’s a purely personal perspective on the debate.
We were inspired by the next wave of technologies – from autonomous vehicles to mixed reality. We were sometimes amused by the prospect … Continue Reading
Many digital platforms attract consumers and businesses on a global basis. It is a challenge for national regulators to enforce competition law and other regulatory provisions against such international players. Germany´s Federal Minister of Justice, Heiko Maas, argued in a similar way in an interview with the German newspaper Handelsblatt on 5 October 2016. He took a stand on the … Continue Reading
With Leave ahead in the Polls and 1 week to go, is there opportunity as well as risk for the Sector?
Opinion polls showing a swing and narrow lead to “Leave” mean the UK’s Referendum is now genuinely “too close to call” and the EU’s 2nd economy could really exit the Union. One thing that’s certain is that no … Continue Reading
The UK Government has announced the key themes of a new Digital Economy Bill.
Reflecting an alignment in several areas with the priorities of the EU’s Digital Single Market initiative, the Bill will have a number of areas of focus:
The European Commission’s newly published geo-blocking issues paper concludes that geo-blocking practices are widespread across sales of both consumer goods and digital content.
The Commission has reconfirmed its intention to look carefully at such practices under the EU competition rules particularly where underpinned by agreements. This suggests a range of distribution and licensing arrangements are likely to be subject to … Continue Reading
In its decision in Sanoma Media v Viestintävirasto the Court of Justice of the European Union signals a technical but potentially significant clarification in the application of the Audio Visual Media Services (AVMS) Directive.
This may trigger some national regulators to re-examine their approach and some broadcasters may, in turn, face pressure to adjust the amount of advertising content … Continue Reading
This week the Secretary of State for Health, Jeremy Hunt, announced that the Government will be investing £4.2 billion in digital health initiatives. The investment is part of the Government’s latest drive to create a “paperless” National Health Service (NHS) by 2020.
The full details of the funding are still being agreed between the Department of Health and NHS England. … Continue Reading
Peter Watts and Don McGown, corporate TMT partners at Hogan Lovells spoke to Reuters about trends for M&A in the sector. They discussed the drivers for the recent surge in dealmaking and some of the likely future opportunities in a convergent, consolidating and rapidly evolving space. You can watch the interview here.
Japan, Hong Kong and Singapore permit net neutrality traffic control measures as long as they are fair and open. In contrast, South Korea permits network operators to block traffic or charge extra fees to the users of certain applications. The different policy approach in South Korea may be due to the country’s desire to be the world leader in 5G … Continue Reading
There should be no ‘Monday blues’ for UK start-ups and their investors as the new stamp duty exemption for securities trading on growth markets comes into effect today. The exemption was announced in last year’s budget and is intended to incentivise investor participation in the UK’s small and medium sized quoted businesses, some of which comprise ambitious tech companies seeking … Continue Reading
The European Commission has announced the adoption of a legislative package for a “Connected Continent: Building a Telecoms Single Market”.
The package proposes a range of reforms to be rolled out over the next 3 years, subject to approval by the European Parliament. Global Media and Communications Watch will feature a longer post shortly but key elements include:
