Business Law Library & Tracker

Copyright, Software & Digital Content

Creative ownership, software rights, licensing and online content.

Sources last reviewed 28 July 2026

Main law guides

122

Acts, regulations and codes worth reading first

Topics

60

Plain-English clusters

Published case explainers

143

Selected cases with a business lesson

Tracked updates

11

New, amended & reviewed

Plain-English explainers, not legal advice. Use the linked official source for section-level detail, and get advice for your situation.

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Main laws

Main lawUnited Kingdom

Arbitration Act 1996

UKPGA 1996 c 23

PriorityIn force4 practical checks · checked 13 June 2026
Contracts & CommercialCopyright, Software & Digital ContentDisputes, Enforcement & RemediesFranchising, Distribution & Dealerships
Main lawUnited Kingdom

Consumer Rights Act 2015

UKPGA 2015 c 15

PriorityIn force4 practical checks · checked 13 June 2026
Consumer Law & TradingContracts & CommercialUnfair Contract TermsCopyright, Software & Digital ContentDisputes, Enforcement & RemediesStandards, Accreditation & Certification
Main lawUnited Kingdom

Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988

UKPGA 1988 c 48

PriorityIn force4 practical checks · checked 13 June 2026
IP & Brand ProtectionContracts & CommercialAdvertising, Marketing & PromotionsCopyright, Software & Digital ContentLicences, Permits & RegistrationsTelecommunications, Media & Content
Main lawUnited Kingdom

Misrepresentation Act 1967

UKPGA 1967 c 7

PriorityIn force4 practical checks · checked 13 June 2026
Contracts & CommercialConsumer Law & TradingCopyright, Software & Digital ContentDisputes, Enforcement & RemediesFranchising, Distribution & DealershipsImport, Export, Sanctions & Customs
Main lawUnited Kingdom

Trade Secrets (Enforcement, etc.) Regulations 2018

SI 2018/597

PriorityIn force4 practical checks · checked 13 June 2026
IP & Brand ProtectionContracts & CommercialContractors & Worker StatusRestraints, Confidentiality & Trade SecretsCopyright, Software & Digital ContentDisputes, Enforcement & Remedies
Main lawUnited Kingdom

Gambling Act 2005

2005 c. 19

PriorityCurrent legislation8 practical checks · checked 28 July 2026
Regulatory ComplianceAdvertising, Marketing & PromotionsCopyright, Software & Digital ContentLicences, Permits & RegistrationsRecords, Reporting & NotificationsDisputes, Enforcement & RemediesCharities, Clubs & Member GovernanceHospitality, Alcohol & Gambling
Main lawUnited Kingdom

Communications Act 2003

2003 c. 21

PriorityCurrent legislation8 practical checks · checked 28 July 2026
Digital & EcommerceRegulatory ComplianceCopyright, Software & Digital ContentRecords, Reporting & NotificationsDisputes, Enforcement & RemediesImport, Export, Sanctions & CustomsTelecommunications, Media & Content

Cases

High Court of Justice[2026] EWHC 998 (Ch)30 Apr 2026

Airconco UK Limited v DC Air Condition and Refrigeration Limited

For ordinary businesses, the lesson is simple: do not treat website copy as free to reuse just because it is public and promotional. If you lift wording from a...

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Dismissal, Redundancy & GrievancesDirectors' Duties & GovernanceAdvertising, Marketing & PromotionsOnline Sales, Subscriptions & PlatformsCopyright, Software & Digital ContentLicences, Permits & RegistrationsDisputes, Enforcement & RemediesImport, Export, Sanctions & Customs
UK Supreme Court[2026] UKSC 311 Feb 2026

Emotional Perception AI Limited v Comptroller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks

If your business is filing patents for AI systems in the UK, this case changes the framing. It is no longer a strong argument to say an ANN is not a computer...

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Directors' Duties & GovernanceTrade Marks, Passing Off & BrandingCopyright, Software & Digital ContentDisputes, Enforcement & RemediesTelecommunications, Media & Content
High Court of Justice[2025] EWHC 2254 (KB)3 Sept 2025

Equity & Ors v Talent Systems Europe Limited (trading as Spotlight)

If your business runs a directory, marketplace or subscription platform for freelancers, this case shows that labels alone do not decide your legal status, but your...

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Employment & WorkplaceDismissal, Redundancy & GrievancesDirectors' Duties & GovernanceAdvertising, Marketing & PromotionsOnline Sales, Subscriptions & PlatformsCopyright, Software & Digital ContentDisputes, Enforcement & RemediesTelecommunications, Media & Content
Court of Appeal of England and Wales[2025] EWCA Civ 111822 Aug 2025

Sky UK Limited v The Office of Communications

The durable lesson is about service classification, not a blanket label for every Sky product. The ruling supports Ofcom’s interpretation for the issue in dispute...

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Regulatory ComplianceDismissal, Redundancy & GrievancesOnline Sales, Subscriptions & PlatformsCopyright, Software & Digital ContentCompetition, Cartels & Market ConductRecords, Reporting & NotificationsDisputes, Enforcement & Remedies
High Court of Justice[2025] EWHC 1722 (IPEC)11 July 2025

Wise Payments Limited v With Wise Limited & Ors

If you are choosing or changing a brand, do not stop at checking whether another business looks like a direct competitor. Map what your business actually does now,...

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Wages, Leave & PayrollDirectors' Duties & GovernanceTrade Marks, Passing Off & BrandingCopyright, Software & Digital ContentLicences, Permits & RegistrationsFinancial Services, Credit & PaymentsTransport, Shipping & Logistics
UK Supreme Court[2024] UKSC 2916 Sept 2024

Commissioners for HM Revenue and Customs v Professional Game Match Officials Ltd

Flexibility before an assignment does not prevent employment obligations arising during an accepted assignment. Businesses using casual or assignment-by-assignment...

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Employment & WorkplaceContracts & CommercialDismissal, Redundancy & GrievancesCopyright, Software & Digital ContentCompetition, Cartels & Market ConductDisputes, Enforcement & RemediesImport, Export, Sanctions & CustomsWorkplace Investigations & MisconductStandards, Accreditation & Certification
High Court of Justice[2024] EWHC 1430 (IPEC)19 June 2024

Engineer.AI Global Limited v Appy Pie Ltd & Anor

If your brand leans on a common descriptive word, treat evidence as part of the brand asset. Keep UK-specific sales figures, campaign records, website metrics,...

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Dismissal, Redundancy & GrievancesAdvertising, Marketing & PromotionsTrade Marks, Passing Off & BrandingCopyright, Software & Digital ContentLicences, Permits & RegistrationsConstruction Contracts & PaymentTelecommunications, Media & Content
High Court of Justice[2024] EWHC 2806 (IPEC)11 Nov 2024

WaterRower (UK) Limited v Liking Limited (t/a Topiom)

Do not read this case as saying copied products are safe. The narrower lesson is that WaterRower’s copyright case failed on subsistence, despite accepted copying,...

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Dismissal, Redundancy & GrievancesCopyright, Software & Digital ContentDisputes, Enforcement & RemediesImport, Export, Sanctions & Customs
UK Supreme Court[2021] UKSC 2916 July 2021

Triple Point Technology Inc v PTT Public Company Ltd

Implementation contracts need careful delay, acceptance, termination and damages drafting. If the contract does not explain what happens when a project is late and...

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Contracts & CommercialDigital & EcommerceLiquidation & RestructuringCopyright, Software & Digital ContentDisputes, Enforcement & Remedies