Newsflash: Olivia speaks at SCL Annual Conference

Last week, Olivia was on a panel at the SCL Annual Conference “The New Technology Lawyer”, speaking on “Tech Law and M&A Law: The Rise of Data”.

Olivia shared her experiences of deals in the early noughties, when data was not a priority for businesses. Now data has risen to the top, with more sophisticated data use, larger data sets, greater value placed on data, changes to legislation, and overall more awareness of data issues. Data or data services are the business, or are of key importance to a business.

There are legal rights associated with data, but there are limitations on these, and data can become a liability if it is not managed properly. It is important to understand the perspectives of different stakeholders (e.g. the business owner, the marketing department, the technologist and the lawyer), who may view the data issues in very different ways. In a deal, what are the buyer’s priorities?

It is important for lawyers to seek to understand the data and technology, in order to bring together the different perspectives and advise effectively.

Olivia spoke with Tamara Quinn, from Osborne Clarke, who picked up on specific legal points arising in practice in data-heavy transactions.

SCL (the Society for Computers and Law) is a registered educational charity that seeks to cultivate discussion and provide foundational and advanced training at the intersection of information technology and law. SCL’s report of the Annual Conference is here.

Olivia Whitcroft, principal of OBEP, 10 October 2019

This article provides general information on the subject matter and is not intended to be relied upon as legal advice. If you would like to discuss this topic, please contact Olivia Whitcroft using the contact details set out here: Contact Details