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Information Technology

About the Group

The Information Technology Law Group in Matheson Ormsby Prentice was the first such dedicated unit in a law firm in Ireland. Established more than ten years ago, it specialises in all aspects of information technology, communications, broadcasting transmission and electronic commerce law. The Group acts for some of the largest IT and telecommunications companies established in Ireland, as well as some of the largest corporate users of information technology in the country. The Group specialises in advising clients on the continuously changing area of information technology law. Its practice encompasses all aspects of computer, telecommunications and internet law. On a day to day basis the Group is involved in advising both suppliers and users of hardware, software, telecommunications and internet products and services on the contractual aspects of the technology, including drafting and negotiating supply, licensing, services and outsourcing agreements. The Group has advised on many of the largest and most complex IT, computer and systems integration, outsourcing and managed services contracts in Ireland.

The Group’s experience of acting for both suppliers and users gives it the edge of having a full understanding of the legal and commercial issues that affect and concern both sides. The Group assisted the then Department of Public Enterprise in the drafting of the Electronic Commerce Act 2000.

The Group is consistently rated by independent publications as leaders in the field of IT, telecommunications and electronic commerce law. Please click here to view our recommendations.

Click here to view recent and forthcoming speaking platforms by members of the Information Technology Law Group

Practice Areas

  • Contracts for the acquisition of computer and telecommunications systems
  • Outsourcing
  • Intellectual property rights protection, software copyright, semi-conductor topographies, databases, trade marks and domain names
  • Electronic commerce and EDI
  • Internet legal issues for business users, owners of websites and service providers
  • Electronic signatures and certification services
  • Telecommunications, broadcasting and convergence
  • Data protection, privacy and freedom of information
  • Due diligence, IT and Intellectual Property rights audit

Emerging Business Programme

We have specifically developed an Emerging Business Programme for companies at the formation stage of their development. This programme is designed to provide such companies with a range of key legal services and access to expert advice, all bearing the stamp of Matheson Ormsby Prentice's quality work - at a cost designed to match their resources.

Representative Transactions

IT Contracts

  • advising a public sector body on the acquisition and rollout of numerous IT systems and services, both bespoke and standard
  • advising a public sector body on the acquisition on a phased basis of two major IT systems
  • advising on the procurement and contract for the acquisition and rollout of a major dispersed IT network
  • advising indigenous bandwidth measurement technology company on contractual structures and requirements and drafting suite of standard contracts
  • advising indigenous technology companies on structure for getting products to market and drafting suites of required standard contracts

Outsourcing

  • advising a major multinational IT services company on the outsourcing to it of the IT infrastructure and services of one of Ireland’s largest financial institutions, the largest and highest value IT outsourcing in Ireland to date
  • advising a major multinational software company on the outsourcing of IT services, including manufacturing, replication, logistics and contact centre requirements, including some of the most complex and highest value outsourcings to date in Ireland
  • advising a major US card processing company on the outsourcing to it of the card processing activities of two of Ireland’s largest financial institutions

Data Protection

  • advising telecommunications companies, internet service providers, e-commerce organisations, financial institutions and major multi-national and indigenous corporations on their obligations under the Data Protection Acts 1988 and 2003 and the European Communities (Electronic Communications Networks and Services) (Data Protection and Privacy) Regulations 2003, both as regards employees and customers/clients

Electronic Commerce

  • the Group assisted the Department of Public Enterprise in drafting the Electronic Commerce Act 2000
  • advising on appropriate on-line legal models, including drafting terms and conditions of use, website disclaimers, copyright notices and privacy statements, for e-commerce companies and traditional corporates with an on-line presence
  • advised a major Irish financial institution regarding its online applications
  • advised a major Irish bank on its online banking services, including systems acquisition and security
  • the Group participated in the Department of Public Enterprise Discussion Group on Electronic Commerce
  • the Group has been advising a potential national certification service in relation to the legal issues of providing certification services

Telephone Banking

  • the Group advised one of the country’s leading banks in relation to the establishment of its telephone banking operation and advised and negotiated the related agreement

Intellectual Property Due Diligence

  • the Group has undertaken an extensive due diligence for a major Irish telecommunications company and regularly undertakes audits of organisations’ intellectual property rights

Broadcasting

  • the Group is currently advising the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources on digital broadcasting