Information Technology
Introduction
If you are involved in the IT industry, whether as a developer, purchaser or supplier of IT products and services, and whether you are an individual, an SME, a public sector organisation or a multinational, then we can help you.
IT is a fundamental aspect of most businesses and ensuring that your rights and obligations are clearly identified is a key aspect to any successful IT project.
Ashfords' believe that it is imperative that our lawyers have a strong understanding of the IT sector and the specific commercial issues that can impact on the success (or failure) of an IT project. A number of our lawyers have spent much of their careers working in the IT sector ensuring that we are ideally suited to understand your needs and objectives, and to provide pragmatic, sensible, focused and cost-effective advice, irrespective of the project.
Work handled includes:
- Services and projects: systems supply, integration and management, strategic outsourcing, managed, hosting and support services;
- Networks: network design, build, implementation and management;
- Software development, licensing and services: bespoke software development, escrow agreements, software support, end-user license terms, open source licensing, software license audits, beta testing;
- IT procurement and tendering advice including assistance in compliance with OJEU rules;
- Advice on creation and implementation of specifications and applicable service levels;
- IT hardware and components: agreements for the design, development, procurement and contract manufacture of IT products and components and the plant used to manufacture them;
- E-business: website design, development and hosting, content licensing, linking agreements, website terms and conditions, privacy policies.
Recent work undertaken includes:
- West Midlands Networking Company Limited on its contract with BT for the provision of broadband rollout and exchange upgrade across the UK.
- Actaris UK Limited on the provision of a managed service solution for Scottish Power plc
- AuPix Ltd the video over IP communications company on its obtaining of venture capital finance
- Gerber Foods Limited in the copy deck approval and sign off for the new Ocean Spray Web Site
- South West of England Regional Development Agency on an IP/IT contractual dispute with a website developer and designer.
- Advising North Yorkshire County Council on the implementation of its WAN and LAN program.
- Advising Internet Service Provider on its standard conditions of service.
What others say about us
Possessing "a great deal of in-depth, specialist knowledge," the team advises a range of IT matters, including government IT procurement contracts, outsourcing agreements and software licensing
Chambers Guide to the Legal Profession, 2008 Edition
Mark Lomas and Garry Mackay are both listed as Band 1 Advisers and Leaders in the field for IT in the
latest edition of Chambers Guide to the Legal Profession.
In an industry defined by constant technological change, Ashfords has "unparalleled" knowledge of the Internet, authorities report. Clients, too, are deeply impressed by the three-partner team's "literacy" in IT matters.
Garry Mackay is "honest, clear and down-to-earth," according to interviewees, who also highlight his availability and accessibility. He advises clients on issues including outsourcing and software and hardware agreements.
Chambers Guide to the Legal Profession, 2007 Edition
"'rapidly developing' ... winning work throughout the South as well as further afield"
Legal 500 , 2006 Edition
