Philip Lee has been advising the telecoms sector since prior to liberalisation of the Irish market in 1998. It is an area where our expertise in European and International legal processes is a real advantage; an area with major economic implications for both developing and developed economies and one that is of real strategic importance to better managing our own. Clients come to us for support on:

• Telecommunications regulations;
• Technology and software; 
• E-commerce; 
• Intellectual Property; 
• ICT procurement; 
• Data protection; 
• Research and Development and Product Liability; and
• Telecoms and IP disputes.

Telecommunications Regulation

Philip Lee is one of the leading advisers on telecommunications and broadcasting law in Ireland. We were responsible for the first judicial review of a decision of the ODTR - now known as ComReg. We provide advice on all aspects of telecommunications law both to public sector bodies and to private sector clients in areas such as infrastructural development and market awareness, particularly for broadband technology. We advised Dome Telecom throughout its dispute with telecoms giant eircom plc.

Technology and Software

Philip Lee has a very finely regarded technology practice, with practitioners who are considering leading experts in the area, as well as solicitors who are also qualified and experienced IT systems engineers. This gives our technology practice an edge, in that our lawyers “speak the language” of our technology clients, and thoroughly understand both the technical and legal aspects of the work. As a result, we engage on all levels with our technology clients, including by negotiating agreements directly with software and system developers on behalf of our clients. Our technology practice also encompasses patent, copyright and other intellectual property expertise, as well as work in the area of the technology and electronic communications aspects of data protection and in technology regulation. Our agreement work includes licences, assignments, support & maintenance, hosting, database & website development, source code escrow, outsourcing and transitional services.

E-Commerce

We are very aware of the power and effectiveness of a strategic web presence. Our team deliver master classes to the leading Irish-based international pharmaceutical companies on their advertising strategies for digital and social media, focussing on copyright and content issues. We advise clients on online consumer law issues, and regularly draft and negotiate agreements for developing bespoke websites, web content and web-based databases for our clients. With the addition to our team of an IT systems architect who has re-qualified as a solicitor, we offer a unique understanding of the interaction between legal and technology issues.

Intellectual Property

“Philip Lee’s IP practice is coming on in leaps and bounds under the leadership of Anne Bateman, praised for her ‘deep experience’ and ‘practical approach’.” - Legal 500

Led by recognised Intellectual Property expert Anne Bateman, Philip Lee’s copyright and IP team regularly advise on:

• protecting copyright, confidential information and registering trademarks, patents and designs;
• drafting agreements for the creation, assignment, licensing and distribution of products protected by intellectual property rights; 
• initiating proceedings against third parties for the infringement of the intellectual property rights of our clients;
• competition law implications of exclusive software licensing agreements and preparing notifications to the Irish Competition Authority; 
• the registration and defence of international and national domain names; and
• Irish and EU legal developments in relation to the intellectual property rights and information technology law.

Our intellectual property team also advises on issues relating to pharma-regulatory, data protection and freedom of information.

Information and Communications Technology

Our team is particularly strong in the area of ICT procurement. We have successfully handled both ICT procurement projects and IT disputes on behalf of public bodies by delivering real and effective solutions.

We have also advised a third level institution on the initial stages of a competitive dialogue ICT procurement process, and negotiation of an ICT contract for the provision of a highly specific Financial Management Software System.

Data Protection

Since 2002, we have acted as legal advisers to the Data Protection Commissioner. We find that data protection increasingly has a technology dimension and it is often necessary to advise clients to consider data protection issues hand-in-hand with their technology issues.

We also lecture on Public Affairs Ireland’s Data Protection & Freedom of Information Diploma course, and Anne Bateman is a lecturer and tutor on the Technology section of the very popular Law Society Diploma in Intellectual Property & Technology Law. The Technology section of the course is very heavily populated with data protection content.

Research and Development and Product Liability

Research and Development is a complex area of law, involving numerous stakeholders, intellectual property and investment interests. Our work in this area includes advising the specialist R&D division of one of the world's leading companies on a proposed collaboration agreement with three Irish universities.

In the area of product liability we act for two of Ireland’s major food manufacturers, and provide both contentious and non-contentious advice on an ongoing basis. We have defended product liability claims at both Circuit and High Court levels and regularly advise clients early in the life cycle process so that the risk of damaging and expensive recalls or litigation can be successfully anticipated and pre-empted.