Europe News

15 articles in europe

The year of the ‘hectocorn’: the $100bn tech companies that could float in 2026

OpenAI, Anthropic, SpaceX and Stripe are rumoured to be among ten of the biggest companies considering IPOs You’ve probably heard of “unicorns” – technology startups valued at more than $1bn – but 2026 is shaping up to be the year of the “ hectocorn ”, with several US and European companies potentially floating on stock markets at valuations over $100bn (£75bn). OpenAI, Anthropic, SpaceX and Stripe are among the big names said to be considering an initial public offering (IPO) this year. Continue reading...

theguardian.com

Jan 22

Technology sectorStock marketsBusiness

The Agentic AI Revolution – Managing Legal Risks

Meta's eye-catching end-of-year acquisition of Manus, a Singapore-based developer of AI agents, for a purported value of more than $2 billion[1], reflects a wider sector shift towards the development and deployment of semi-autonomous, outcome-focused, software agents, which are capable of performing complex tasks without direct and constant human input. The Meta deal notably follows Salesforce's...... Continue Reading

iptechblog.com

Jan 20

Artificial IntelligenceCybersecurityEurope

From Black Forest Ham to Black Forest Cuckoo Clocks: The EU’s New System for the Protection of Geographical Indications for Craft and Industrial Products

On 1 December 2025, the EU’s new legal framework for the protection of geographical indications for craft and industrial products (CIGIs) has become operational with the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) opening the application process. Whilst EU-wide GI protection was previously available only for certain wine, spirit drinks, agricultural and food products, producers of...... Continue Reading

iptechblog.com

Dec 29, 2025

EuropeEuropean Union Intellectual Property OfficeIntellectual Property

MPs question UK Palantir contracts after investigation reveals security concerns

Journalists find Swiss government rejected company over fears US intelligence might gain access to sensitive data UK MPs have raised concerns about the government’s contracts with Palantir after an investigation published in Switzerland highlighted allegations about the suitability and security of its products. The investigation by the Zurich-based research collective WAV and the Swiss online magazine Republik details Palantir’s efforts , over the course of seven years, to sell its products to Swiss federal agencies. Continue reading...

theguardian.com

Dec 22, 2025

PalantirUK newsMinistry of Defence

EU opens investigation into Google’s use of online content for AI models

European Commission to assess whether Gemini owner is putting rival companies at a disadvantage Business live – latest updates The EU has opened an investigation to assess whether Google is breaching European competition rules in its use of online content from publishers and YouTube creators for artificial intelligence. The European Commission said on Tuesday it will examine whether the US tech company, which runs the Gemini AI model and is owned by Alphabet, is putting rival AI owners at a “disadvantage”. Continue reading...

theguardian.com

Dec 9, 2025

GoogleYouTubeArtificial intelligence (AI)

Ofcom Confirms Participants for Upcoming mmWave Spectrum Auction

The UK telecoms regulator Ofcom has officially confirmed the mobile network operators that will participate in the highly anticipated millimetre wave (mmWave) spectrum auction. The auction, which will release valuable spectrum in the 26 GHz and 40 GHz bands, is a key step in advancing the UK's 5G infrastructure, particularly in densely populated urban areas....... Continue Reading

iptechblog.com

Oct 14, 2025

CybersecurityEuropeTechnology

No holidays for trademarks at risk of becoming generic

Finally, it's holiday time and I’m in the south of France on the beach! I am sunbathing in my pretty vintage bikini with a pina colada in my hand. I am hungry. I put on my cargo trousers and go buy a piadina at the snack bar right behind. I use the hotspot to send...... Continue Reading

iptechblog.com

Jul 25, 2025

EuropeFranceIntellectual Property

Driving towards the legalisation of fully autonomous vehicles in the UK

As many will know, the Autonomous Vehicle Act 2024 (the “AV Act”) paved the way to legalising the use of autonomous vehicles on UK roads. However, before any autonomous vehicles can be used on the UK roads (other than under controlled trials), it is important to be aware that the AV Act does not, at...... Continue Reading

iptechblog.com

Jun 18, 2025

Artificial IntelligenceEuropeTechnology

European Commission kick starts overhaul of EU telecom law

“Look, if you had one shot or one opportunity to seize everything you ever wanted in one moment, would you capture it or just let it slip?” asks Eminem in his song “Lose Yourself”. This year might provide just one of those once-in-a-life time opportunities for EU telecom law. Many stakeholders have been calling for...... Continue Reading

iptechblog.com

Jun 16, 2025

EU CommissionEuropeFrance

New Procedural Rules for Trade Secrets in Germany

On April 1, 2025, the Act to Strengthen Germany as a Location for Justice—formally titled Justizstandort-Stärkungsgesetz of October 7, 2024 (Federal Law Gazette 2024 I No. 302)—entered into force. This legislation aims to enhance Germany’s attractiveness as a venue for international commercial litigation by, among other things, establishing commercial courts and permitting the use of...... Continue Reading

iptechblog.com

May 20, 2025

CopyrightEuropeGermany

UK Government Publishes New Software and Cyber Security Codes of Practice

As cyber security continues to make be headline news it is timely that on 7 May 2025 the UK government published a new voluntary Software Security Code of Practice: Software Security Code of Practice - GOV.UK This Code is designed to be complementary to relevant international approaches and existing standards and where possible reflects internationally...... Continue Reading

iptechblog.com

May 15, 2025

CybersecurityData BreachData Protection

Commercial Agents Regulations: Here to Stay

In October 2024 we reported on the case of Kompakwerk GmbH v Liveperson Netherlands B.V. [CL-2018-000802] which concerned the question of whether an agent selling access to end users in Great Britain to a third-party software as a service (SaaS) product should be considered an agent for the purposes of the Commercial Agents (Council Directive) Regulations...... Continue Reading

iptechblog.com

Feb 21, 2025

AdvertisingArtificial IntelligenceConsumer Law

Clock is Ticking for Responses to UK Government Consultation on Copyright and Artificial Intelligence

The authors wish to thank Sumaiyah Razzaq for her contributions to this post. Ever since the emergence of generative AI, a major concern for all participants has been the extent to which copyright works can and should be used in training AI models. The application of UK copyright law for this purpose is disputed, leading...... Continue Reading

iptechblog.com

Feb 14, 2025

Artificial IntelligenceCopyrightData Protection

The EU’s New Packaging Regulation – What’s your IP got to do with it

The European Union’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) was published on 22 January 2025 in the EU official journal. It will enter into force on 9 February 2025 and apply with immediate effect in the EU Member States from 12 August 2026. The PPWR applies to all packaging placed on the EU market and...... Continue Reading

iptechblog.com

Jan 30, 2025

Brand ProtectionConsumer LawDesigns

A New Era for Consumer Law and Regulation

Consumer law and regulation has been thrusted into the limelight in recent months. The main reason for this is the introduction of the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act (DMCC Act), which received Royal Assent on 24 May 2024. The changes introduced by the DMCC Act are significant and will result in both increased consumer...... Continue Reading

iptechblog.com

Sep 5, 2024

AdvertisingCompetition and Markets AuthorityConsumer Law