Technology transactions

Our technology and data transactions practice has deep experience advising corporations across a multitude of sectors on their technology, data and IP transactions, digital infrastructure, telecommunications and outsourcing mandates. Acting for companies on a wide range of enterprise transactions, as well as acting for sector participants and investors focused on technology, we have a unique and deep understanding of the relationships, opportunities, risks and strategies involved in the entire technology, data and digital infrastructure ecosystem. We are thought leaders, and anticipate and respond to and advise our clients on the effect and legal and regulatory implications of the adoption and exploitation of new technologies and technology enabled delivery models. This includes the use and adoption of new and emerging technologies such as AI. IP is at the heart of technology and we help our clients procure, protect, develop and importantly monetise their IP assets worldwide. 

As technology drives innovation, product development, operational excellence and growth in other key sectors, in particular energy, mining, oil & gas, infrastructure, transport, consumer and financial services, we use and apply our extensive global technology and data insight across those sectors to help our clients adjust to that innovation.  

With dedicated technology and data transactions teams located across all regions, we provide a truly global coverage. 

We regularly advise on: 

• Technology, data & IP transactions.

• Digital infrastructure.

• Technology collaboration, services and systems integration projects, including the design and negotiation of multi-supplier environments and associated contractual arrangements.

• Software development, software licensing, service level, support and maintenance, hosting and related mandates.

• Cloud computing, including negotiating with many leading cloud vendors, and assisting corporations migrate traditional on-prem systems and data centre assets to cloud based solutions.

• The regulation, adoption and use of AI.

• Drafting and negotiating major outsourcing agreements (both technology and business process) and including individual and collective joint venture outsourcing arrangements. 

• Commercial transactions and projects, especially where there is a technology, digital or innovation theme. 

• Legal constructs that foster and support the creation, acquisition and use of technology, including technology licensing and associated technology exploitations arrangements and agreements.

• Drafting and negotiating telecommunications agreements, including core network operations, interconnection, backbone, facilities access, and wholesale, as well as enterprise communications services arrangements.

• Providing strategic advice on, and drafting and negotiating agreements for, technology transformation projects, including in the context of M&A and divestment transactions. 

• IP transfers in M&A and divestitures; IP strategy and portfolio development; IP royalty securitisations; and monetisation of IP and technology rights in bankruptcies and restructurings. 

• Advising clients on projects with a strong technology or innovation component across a range of sectors including energy (data metering, virtual power plants), resources (big data), consumer (e-commerce, data analytics) and finance (platforms, big data, fintech).

• Privacy, data protection and the monetisation of data.

• Advising clients on structuring, licensing and generally commercialising intellectual property rights.

• Expanding businesses into multiple segments and markets.

• Joint ventures, strategic alliances, licensing, collaborations, development, distribution, VAR and OEM arrangements. 

• Legal and regulatory environments and frameworks relating to technology and related ecosystems, including the impact of technology and emerging tech (including AI, digital assets, blockchain, immersive tech), telecommunications, data, cyber, financial services, online safety and other sector-specific regulations.

• Shaping and protecting processes for data collection, licensing-in, use, manipulation and monetisation.

• Identification and management of potential technology-related disputes, including litigation strategy, settlement and renegotiation (where appropriate).

• We also offer fully integrated advice on technology M&A, outsourcing, investments, tax, employment, regulation, competition, emerging technology, digital infrastructure, telecommunications, data protection and privacy and cyber security to support all our clients' tech-related activities.