Technology

From start-ups to the largest tech firms, whether you're creating technology, using it to disrupt the market, or changing because of it, we are experts in the known and unknown, and everything in between.

Bristows has a rich history in technology, dating back to when we drafted the patent agreement for the first electrical telegraph. We have been at the forefront of developments ever since and are proud to represent the biggest names in the industry across a wide range of advisory, transactional and litigious matters.

Most of us have technological backgrounds, some at doctorate level, so we can keep up with changes in technology, whatever they may be. Clients tell us this gives us the edge over our competitors.

We also love what we do.

We interpret technology broadly, so whether your business is creating technology, transforming itself with technology, disrupting its sector or even changing the world through technology, we have the lawyers who can help you.

Creating technology

Creating technology

We act for the leading search engines, cloud providers, streaming services providers, social media platforms, mobile operators, adtech vendors, outsourcing providers and hardware manufacturers. Whatever the technology, the leading players seek us out for our expertise.

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Changing using technology

Changing using technology

Global businesses are using technology to change how they do business and what they offer clients. Many are responding, having spotted new opportunities, while others have no choice but to change if they are to survive. Whatever the reason, we are as excited as they are to support their digital transformation.

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Disrupting with technology

Disrupting with technology

New entrants are shaking up established markets, from ordering taxis to insurance, from banking to ordering takeaways and the provision of healthcare services. We have the skills and resources to help our clients respond.

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What others say

“Excellent legal skills, combined with a good sector knowledge and a hands-on approach, make Bristows a very useful resource.”

Chambers and Partners 2023

“Commercial awareness is definitely one of Bristows’ strong points. Team members’ prior in-house experience shows. It is great to receive advice that is commercially balanced and easily understood by all functions of our business.”

Chambers and Partners 2023

“Even in the event the requests were a bit outside of telecom regulations, the firm were able to assist with providing an exhaustive response to all enquiries. They always responded within the quoted review time and usually exceeded expectations.”

Chambers and Partners 2023

“All team members have very deep experience in different fields of expertise. They understand what kind of level of response a client needs before wasting money on long reports, which is very much appreciated. On top of this, they provide updates on UK case law that are very helpful.”

Chambers and Partners 2023

“They’re very commercial and good at dealing with clients.”

Chambers and Partners 2023

“Bristows is known for its deep bench of high-calibre litigators with supreme expertise in contentious patent, trade mark, designs and copyright matters. The team is particularly sought after for biosimilars and telecommunications litigation, and is frequently instructed for standard-essential patent-related disputes. The Bristows IP team is also distinguished for its work on the commercialisation of IP at the vanguard of life sciences and technology, and is additionally recommended for its trade mark prosecution service.”

Chambers and Partners 2023

“Bristows has a comprehensive IT practice with powerful resources for major commercial transactions and complex litigation. It advises many of the world’s leading technology companies, and also sophisticated blue-chip buyers of IT services. It is especially adept at providing counsel on the most current and cutting-edge issues in the technology space.”

Chambers and Partners 2023

“Clients use them because of their sector expertise and their understanding of commercial organisations needing to deliver pragmatic privacy guidance with a commercial steerage.”

Chambers and Partners 2023

“They are technically very strong, giving us great confidence in their advice.”

Chambers and Partners 2023

“Bristows boasts notable strength at the intersection between competition law and IP, advising on key cases that test the definition of FRAND terms for the licensing of SEPs in the technology sector.”

Chambers and Partners 2023

“Consistently at the forefront of the market, dealing with precedent setting cases or managing multi-jurisdictional matters, the team advises high-profile global clients in the technology and life sciences sectors on commercial, regulatory, competition, and contentious matters.”

Legal 500 2023

“The team at Bristows strike the perfect balance between excellent technical legal knowledge and industry insight and experience. They are able to distil often complex legal positions into easy to digest and practical advice. The strategic value they are able to add sets them apart from their competitors.”

Legal 500 2023

“Their understanding of the industry and therefore ability to provide tailored advice is great. They also take a pragmatic view, such that in negotiation with providers they focus on what is important and likely, rather than focusing on theoretical, pedantic legal points that have no” probability of happening in practice.”

Legal 500 2023

“The team at Bristows is second to none in the UK technology law space. They are accessible, responsive, highly knowledgeable and experienced and are a go-to team for any complex, high value or innovative IT deal.”

Legal 500 2023

“The practice has strengths in new and emerging technologies, advising clients on cloud issues, robotics and AI.”

Legal 500 2023

“The team demonstrates wide-ranging expertise across telecoms M&A, SaaS and outsourcing issues, and regulatory matters, and is notably strong in contentious mandates.”

Legal 500 2023

“Bristows LLP has a vast array of clients, including technology and telecoms companies, regulators, and purchasers of IT, such as governmental departments and financial institutions.”

Legal 500 2023

“Exceptional practice, well motivated, and proactive.”

Legal 500 2023

“Bristows LLP has expertise in AI, robotics, distributed ledger technologies and blockchain. The client base ranges from fintechs and challenger banks, investors, SMEs, academic institutions through to banks and large multinationals.”

Legal 500 2023

“Great expertise, very approachable.”

Legal 500 2023

“The team at Bristows is second to none in the UK technology law space. They are accessible, responsive, highly knowledgeable and experienced and are our go-to team for any complex, high-value or innovative IT deals.”

Legal 500 2023

“On the non-contentious side, strengths include corporate M&A and venture capital matters, commercial IP work, and strategic and project advice for clients across the technology, media, and telecoms sectors.”

Legal 500 2023

“Contentious work is a core strength for the broad technology sector practice at Bristows LLP, with experience in disputes ranging from major FRAND cases to competition issues to media and data protection compliance work, which the firm handles for an impressive base of high-profile household names and multinational corporates.”

Legal 500 2023

“The team has exceptional knowledge of the life sciences space. It acts for a broad range of industry players and has a deep understanding of market practice.”

Legal 500 2023

“Justified reputation as one of, if not the, leading firms for IP life sciences. Excellent reputation in the UK and beyond – widely respected throughout Europe for coordinating multi-jurisdictional disputes.”

Legal 500 2023

“Bristows LLP is ‘widely respected throughout Europe for coordinating multi-jurisdictional disputes’ and has ‘a justified reputation as one of the leading firms for IP life sciences work’.”

Legal 500 2023

“Lauded by clients for its ‘experienced, thoughtful and brilliant‘ capabilities at the intersection of IP and competition litigation, Bristows LLP is particularly well regarded for its technology and life sciences acumen.”

Legal 500 2023

“Bristows LLP is well-versed at advising investee and investor stakeholders, on mandates throughout the investment life cycle, particularly in the firm’s sector specialisms.”

Legal 500 2023

“Bristows LLP’s corporate practice is well-regarded for handling transactions for life sciences and technology businesses, and the department’s client base includes a number of FTSE 100 companies.”

Legal 500 2023

Recent ranking and awards

Information Technology and Outsourcing - Band 1

Data Protection and Information Law - Band 1

IT and Telecoms - Tier 1

Data Protection, Privacy and Cybersecurity - Tier 1

Technology, Media & Telecoms - Tier 2

Media & entertainment: Gaming, social media & interactive content - Band 3

Fintech - Tier 3

Fintech - Band 5

Information Technology - Band 1

Outsourcing - Band 1

Technology Sector (International & Cross-border ) - Band 1

Firm of the Year: Data - Security

Leading Firm

TMT Firm of the Year

Technology, Media & Telecoms - Commended

UK Cross-Border Telecoms Patent

IT & Telecoms

Advertising & Marketing

Commercial Litigation

Data Protection - Band 3

TMT Team of the Year

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