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This very dynamic and well-attended session enables you to select from a menu of hot topics in the IP, communications, media and technology sectors and participate in roundtable discussions.

Topics of current interest are selected to stimulate a lively debate. Moderators on each table introduce the table topic, and the participants do the rest. Background knowledge or experience within areas for discussion is not required. Our menu will include hot and 'late breaking' topics in the areas of intellectual property law, internet law and mobile technologies, privacy and data protection, technology contracting and dispute resolution, arts law, media and space law.

Discussion is usually around the interface of law, business, technology and culture, with a global focus. Many topics for discussion are often the subject of considerable public and media interest. In participating in the table topics you will gain a deeper insight into these areas and be able to add your own comments.

The format is interactive networking. The session will provide you with a great opportunity to meet many other lawyers and to discuss topics of mutual interest with them: don't forget your business cards, ecards and contact details to share. We welcome new participants in these discussions.

Rotations

We will start with a brief introduction and have 3 rotations of 45 minutes each, with a break of 5 minutes between each rotation for people to wrap up discussions.

Session Co-Chairs: Eileen O’Gorman, Elisa Henry

The following topics will be discussed during the session, with the help of the respective moderators identified for each topic:

Topic 1:

The battle of IP

Which IP right - trademark, patent, copyright or design - gives you the best licensing play?

Table moderators: Sebastien Heim, Kelley Loo

Topic 2:

Look-alike products: are brand owners making a comeback?

This topic will cover some recent cases in several jurisdictions, including the recent UK cases of Thatcher’s v Aldi, Marks & Spencer v Aldi, the Australian case of Hampden v Aldi, and the US case of Lululemon v Costco, where brand owners have successfully used IP rights to stop look-alike and dupe products.

Table moderators: Hanna Tilus, Andrew Lustigman, Rebecca Dunn

Topic 3:

Geopolitical tensions and IP: from sanctions to technology transfer controls

A discussion on how trade restrictions, sanctions, and national security concerns impact IP strategy, licensing, and cross-border enforcement worldwide.

Table moderators: Sarah Drukarch, Jeffrey L Costellia, James Buchan

Topic 4:

Litigation funds in IP-contentious landscapes

High stakes patent litigation is particularly expensive, even when compared to other types of IP litigation. These cases rely heavily on expert evidence, which adds significant expense to legal fees. This is particularly true in the Anglo-Saxon jurisdictions, where recent data suggests that one-third of patent litigations are funded through third-party financing. Third-party financing will likely become more popular for patent litigation in Europe as well, given the expense of litigating UPC cases and the potential for jackpots arising out of pan-European damages assessments. It is increasingly popular for certain types of copyrights cases and could be of interest in class-action suits.

The experienced moderators will explore the status and prevalence of IP litigation financing in different jurisdictions, drawing on the experience of the participants who will share their experiences and insights. We will address ethical issues for lawyers, the impact financing can have on discovery, and whether it can affect valuations of patents by the courts, the impact it can have on determining who the true party with an interest in the litigation is, witness bias issues and regulatory frameworks, potential for abuse, among many other issues.

Table moderators: Francesca Ferrero, Bob Sotiriadis, Eduardo Arana Ramirez

Topic 5:

Jurisdiction without borders - cross-border IP litigation. Examining the long arm of European courts - the Electrolux effect

In this topic we will discuss the evolving reach of European courts in cross-border disputes, with a focus on recent long-arm jurisdiction rulings such as the Electrolux case and their implications for global litigants.

Table moderators: Özge Atılgan Karakulak, Ping Gu, Daniela De Pasquale

Topic 6:

The future of lawyering: AI, innovation, and being human

The future of the legal profession isn’t just about AI, it’s about everything changing around it. From the rise of legal automation to shifting client demands, new service models, regulatory reforms, and the increasing importance of lawyer well-being, lawyering is being redefined from every angle.

This roundtable seeks to bring together lawyers across practice areas to discuss how we adapt to new tools, but also how we rethink our role as trusted advisors, ethical actors, and strategic thinkers in a constantly evolving world. What skills will tomorrow’s lawyers need? How do we deliver value in new ways? And how do we stay true to the core of our profession—even as everything around us changes?

Table moderators: Paulina Silva, Stefan Weidert

Topic 7:

Weaponising AI: legal challenges in defence and human rights protection

As defence sectors increasingly adopt artificial intelligence for surveillance, autonomous systems, and combat operations, legal frameworks are struggling to keep pace. This panel examines the critical legal questions surrounding the weaponisation of AI, including compliance with international humanitarian law, state responsibility for autonomous actions, and the protection of fundamental human rights during armed conflict. Legal experts will discuss the accountability in AI-enabled warfare, the challenges of enforcing human oversight, and the urgent need for frameworks and treaties to regulate emerging military technologies.

Table moderators: Doil Son, Nazar Chernyavsky

Topic 8:

Training and using gen-AI Models: intersections between the AI Act, intellectual property rights, and personal data protection

This table will discuss how the AI Act mandates transparency in AI systems, the potential for AI to be used in creating counterfeit products, and the risks of personal data breaches associated with AI technologies. The session aims to provide insights into the legal and regulatory challenges posed by these issues and offer strategies for mitigating associated risks.

Table moderators: Raphael Dana, Alexandra Neri, Simone Lahorgue Nunes

Topic 9:

Two-in-one: unlocking AI compliance through existing laws

In this roundtable, we'll explore internal compliance policies which regulate the use of AI. We will discuss how non-AI-specific laws, like data protection, cybersecurity, or medical device legislation can be leveraged to address AI Act compliance and broader AI use issues. By identifying synergies between existing risk assessments (e.g., DPIAs, cybersecurity, or medical device evaluations) and AI Act requirements, we'll demonstrate how to streamline compliance and deliver business value.

Table moderators: Yuval Horn, Elisabeth Vestin, Hannah Mugler

Topic 10:
EU Data Act – user rights to machine data

The EU Data Act marks a paradigm shift in how data from connected products and machines is handled. Starting in September 2025, all data generated during the use of a connected product, whether personal or non-personal, will belong to the user. OEMs will no longer have unrestricted access to this data. Instead, they must obtain explicit permission from users, typically in the form of a data-sharing agreement. This is not another data protection law. The Data Act aims to unlock the value of machine-generated data as a non-rivalrous asset, promoting innovation, competition, and the development of new business models. It is particularly aimed at the B2B-sector.

Topics for discussion:

How can OEMs adapt to the new legal landscape?
What new business models could emerge under the Data Act?
How can users exercise their new rights to access data?
Cloud switching made easy – what are the new rules?

Table moderators: Martin Schirmbacher, Marc Hilber

Topic 11:
Label me maybe: making AI transparent (and comply with disparate laws)

From Brussels to DC to Beijing, 'transparency' is the buzzword in AI land, but what actually has to be revealed, to whom, and when? Our round table slices through the noise to map the hard-law duties (EU AI Act, DSA, GDPR) against the US patchwork (FTC Act §5, sectoral rules, state laws) and China’s content rules for deep synthesis and generative AI. We’ll compare what’s mandated, what’s merely 'best practice', and where disclosure collides with trade secrets and IP.

We’ll stress-test content labeling: when it’s required (think EU AI Act deepfakes) and when it backfires: label fatigue, spoofable watermarks, false positives that chill speech or defame creators. We’ll also look beyond labels to provenance metadata (C2PA-style), risk documentation, model/deployment notices, audit logs, and researcher access, i.e., the pieces that actually raise trust and stand up in court.

Bring your “but what if…” scenarios. We’ll walk through thorny use cases and we’ll also cover litigation angles: substantiating AI claims, avoiding deceptive marketing, and preparing for evidence requests and algorithmic audits.

If other sessions debate AI in the abstract, ours is the how-to (and how-not-to) of lawful transparency. You’ll leave with a crisp checklist aligned to the key instruments—EU: AI Act (incl. Art. 50), DSA, GDPR Arts. 13–15 & 22; US: FTC Act §5 guidance + sectoral/state rules; China: Deep Synthesis Provisions & Generative AI Measures—and a pragmatic view on when to label, when to log, and when to lawyer up.

Table moderators: Florencia Rosati, Erik Valgaeren, Sharon R. Klein

Topic 12:
Platform vs sovereign states: who’s the boss for communications infrastructure?

The roundtable will delve into the intricate relationship between digital platforms and sovereign states regarding the control over infrastructure, access to data, and data and services location. We will explore the power dynamics at play, considering how platforms and service providers sometimes overshadow governmental control. Likewise, implications for national security and economic independence will be a focal point.

Additionally, the conversation will touch upon the role of international cooperation, such as agreements between countries to regulate digital platforms collectively, and the potential for conflicts in jurisdiction, evidenced by disputes over data localisation laws.

Lastly, we will consider how emerging technologies might shift this balance in the future. For instance, the advent of decentralised technologies like blockchain and the rise of artificial intelligence will redefine power dynamics, offering new avenues for both platforms and sovereign states to assert control over infrastructure and services.

Table moderators: Pascal Dutru, Christopher Millard, Kensuke Inoue

Topic 13:

What works best? Different approaches to regulating digital platforms across the globe

This roundtable will discuss the different approaches to regulating digital platforms that have been taken in different jurisdictions around the world. Topics will focus on whether sector specific regulation such as the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA) is necessary and whether it has the intended effects, or whether other laws, such as existing competition and consumer protection laws, are adequate to address market failures or consumer harms. Another area for debate will be whether regulatory focus should be on areas such as AI or the protection of minors, and how digital platforms regulation, if required at all, may be future proofed to address rapidly evolving technologies.

Table moderators: Innocenzo Genna, Violetta Kunze, Angela Flannery

Topic 14:
Mission: impossible – regulating truth without censorship

The topic will explore the legal tools used by countries use to regulate truth-telling in the media as well as the line to be drawn between demanding reliable and responsible reporting of the news and imposing censorship.

Table moderators: Gaurav G. Arora, Robert Balin, Dr. Anna Beke-Martos, Rajesh Sreenivasan

Topic 15:
The use of AI in art authentication and art appraisals

This table will discuss copyright protection of art created with AI.

Table moderators: Amelia Brankov, Massimo Sterpi

Topic 16:
IP rights in space / The use of AI in space / Militarisation of space

PENDING DESCRIPTION

Table moderators: Nana Adjoa Adobea Asante, Luca Iaboni, Paul Monaghan

This very dynamic and well-attended session enables you to select from a menu of hot topics in intellectual property, communication, media and technology sectors and participate in roundtable discussions. Topics of current interest are selected to stimulate a lively debate. Moderators on each table introduce the table topic and the participants do the rest. Background knowledge or experience within areas for discussion is not required. Our menu will include hot and "late-breaking" topics in the areas of intellectual property law, internet law and mobile technology, privacy and data protection, technology contracting and dispute resolution, arts law, media and space law. Discussion is usually around the interface of law, business, technology and culture, with a global focus. Many topics for discussion are often the subject of considerable public and media interest. In participating in the table topics, you will gain a deeper insight into these areas and be able to add your own comments. The format of the session is interactive networking. It will provide you with a great opportunity to meet many other lawyers and to discuss topics of mutual interest with them: please, do not forget your business cards and e-cards.

1. Moral rights

‘Who’s afraid of droit moral?' Paris might be the birthplace of the moral rights of the author enjoying copyright protection but the concept is worldwide and enshrined in the Berne Convention. In some anglo-saxon jurisdictions a complete waiver of moral rights is sought. The panel will discuss the effect of such waivers, with specific focus on contracts in the entertainment and software industry.

2. Distinct politics – politicians using music, names signs and logos

Political parties and politicians also need to distinguish themselves by using names, signs, music and slogans, the panel will address how the IP law and public policies ruling the political campaigns are coherent or increases the chances of conflicts of laws and whether or not the actual conflicts could be solved?

3. Generative AI

Generative AI systems pose intriguing questions to society and law. According to ChatGPT the current legal issues “include intellectual property rights, liability for AI-generated content, data privacy and security, transparency and explainability of AI systems, and ethical considerations such as bias and discrimination. Additionally, there are ongoing discussions around whether AI-generated works should be eligible for copyright protection and who should be held responsible for any potential harm caused by AI systems.” At the round table these topics, and especially copyright, data privacy and (product) liability, will be discussed.

4. Emerging technologies and AI in healthcare and life sciences – IP, legal and ethical consequences

To discuss the legal, IP, regulatory and ethical implications and consequences arising out of the use of generative AI tools in the healthcare and life sciences areas. Generative AI is evolving rapidly with the release of ChatGPT, Bard, Claude, etc. As exciting as this technology sounds in terms of the endless opportunities, it poses a number of challenges, especially in the area of medicine, healthcare, life sciences and ownership of IP rights. This roundtable proposes to discuss all these aspects and more.

5. The Importance of IP in the protection of traditional Knowledge and cultural expressions

Traditional knowledge (TK) refers to the accumulated knowledge, innovations, and practices developed and preserved by indigenous communities and local cultures over generations.

Traditional cultural expressions (TCEs) are the manifestations of traditional knowledge, folklore, and cultural heritage that are deeply rooted in the cultural and social identities of indigenous communities and traditional societies.

Genetic Resources instead refers to material found in plants, animals, and microorganisms that possess genetic information of potential value. 

This session will focus on the intersection between Intellectual Property (IP), Traditional Knowledge, and Traditional Cultural Expressions (TCEs) Participants are invited to share and exchange views on  these issues including the protection of traditional medicine, appellations of origin, geographical indications and collective marks.

6. AI and the law: navigating the legal landscape of artificial intelligence with a media focus

There are several legal issues that arise from the use of artificial intelligence (AI), including:

Liability: One of the main legal issues with AI is who is responsible if an AI system causes harm. Should it be the designer or developer of the AI system, the owner of the system, or the user of the system?
Intellectual Property: AI can create new inventions and works of art that may raise questions about who owns the intellectual property rights. For example, who owns the copyright to a song written by an AI system?
Privacy: AI systems can collect and process vast amounts of personal data, which raises questions about data protection and privacy.
Discrimination: There is a risk that AI systems can reinforce existing biases and discrimination in society. This raises questions about how to ensure that AI is developed and used in a fair and non-discriminatory manner.
Regulation: The rapid pace of technological change in the AI field means that existing regulations may not be adequate. This raises questions about how to regulate AI in a way that promotes innovation while also protecting public safety and other important values.

7. Recent developments in space law

On tourism in space.
Ethics in space.
Debris mitigation.

Special areas:

Dispute resolution.
Arbitration for space law.
Space areas for dispute – ideas of solving them.

8. Copying anterior art work(s)

Comment on the Warhol US Supreme court ruling and other jurisdictions rules.

What is a fake in art (and law)?

A new law is currently discussed in France and other jurisdictions rules.

9. Open banking

At the crossroads of technology and financial regulation, open banking promises to change the way we interact with money, helping consumers gain better control and financial freedom through more flexible financial services powered by technological innovation.

Open banking, as a set of technologies, provides a method for an authorized party (like a fintech) to access a customer’s financial information (like its bank account) in the same way that the authorizing customer can, whether it is by looking at the information, or initiating payments on behalf of the customer.

The way in which countries have dealt with the regulatory challenges of this fast-changing environment is vastly different, and the success of any legal design over another to support the growth of this market while fostering financial inclusion and protecting consumers privacy is still yet to be determined.

This roundtable seeks to discuss:

What is open banking.
Regulatory driven and industry driven approaches to open banking.
Evolution from open banking to open finance to open data.
New capabilities of APIs, beyond payments.
Points to consider when advising FinTech companies in the open banking sector.
Privacy challenges on the implementation of an open banking environment.

10. Learning to be lawful: Understanding Competition Law in an Algorithmic Era

Implications of algorithms in terms of competition liability and the use of more advanced (i.e. machine learning) algorithms have been heavily debated since the publication of the final report on the E-commerce sector inquiry in May 2017 in the EU. Although the topic has been popular among scholars, there have been a scarcity of case law since then. However it seems that competition authorities have started picking up on harms to competition (and consumers) arising from algorithmic systems again. For example, in the paper that was published in 2021, the Competition Market Authority (UK) (CMA) reminded that they will 'monitor developments in the application of machine learning … to ensure that they do not lead to anti-competitive behaviour or consumer detriment' as part of the new ex-ante regime for digital markets. Recently the Korea Fair Trade Commission (KFTC) also decided that the technology platforms, Naver and Kakao, engaged in an unlawful algorithm manipulation. In these cases the KFTC have also tested their abilities to detect and prove anticompetitive effects of algorithms.

Some of the issues we propose to discuss:

The role of algorithms in anti-competitive practices (e.g. algorithmic collusion, exclusionary practices) and the main legal questions they pose for practitioners (e.g. liability).
The reasons of why there have been only a few cases on anticompetitive use of algorithms and whether KFTC's decisions can potentially turn the tide.
Advising clients on mitigation of risk associated with the use of algorithms.

11. AI and data privacy / sports and e-sports data

This round table would look at the treatment of personal data in the context of sports and e-sports, focussing on Project Red Card and claims that data companies are using players' personal data without the right to do so. Speakers from the UK and one other jurisdiction (possibly North American) will outline arguments for and against the rights of players – and the interests of data, betting and gaming and e-sports companies. With sports data at the core of huge business valuations, might data rights (rather than IP rights in databases) be the next battlefield?

Advising clients on mitigation of risk associated with the use of algorithms.

12. Auditing AI - How to address the risks of bias and discrimination in your AI tools

As AI becomes more sophisticated, companies are increasingly relying on it to power everything from enterprise systems to marketing campaigns. However, several companies have been burned by AI products that have been released into the public and later demonstrated bias or discriminatory results (who remembers Microsoft’s Twitter chatbot?). In addition to the potential for legal liability, AI bias can also result in brand and reputational damage. To stay ahead of these issues, companies should be implementing programs to audit the use of AI in their tools. In this roundtable, we will discuss the regulations and guidelines we can leverage to create frameworks for auditing AI, the key stakeholders who should have a role in the process, and the checkpoints and checklists that companies are leveraging to help their teams understand how to identify and address these risks.

13. Global tech legal showdown

This session will look at the trends in global technology disputes with regional expert commentary into current litigation in UK, EU, US, Australia and Asia (Latam could also be included). The session will also provide some useful legal and practical insights for non-litigators –commercial tech lawyers on how to minimize the risk of their tech agreements being subjected to regulatory or court scrutiny.

14. Transactions in the Metaverse

Same as in a “traditional” Internet environment?
How to best protect “ownership”.
Use of NFTs.

Participant to the roundtable may expect to get a better understanding of the differences between transactions in the Metaverse and traditional transactions, including under the legal, operational and commercial angles. Also, the question of forum shopping is of a renewed acute nature, since transactions in the Metaverse are likely to see various Courts, in various countries, rule that they have jurisdiction over these cases, which is likely to lead to new difficulties. Participants will discuss how to tackle these aspects, after having also laid out the various use cases of NFTs.

By engaging with experts and discussing these issues with other participants, they will be able to identify potential solutions to these challenges and gain a better understanding of how to navigate them.  Overall, the roundtable provides an opportunity for participants to deepen their knowledge of the metaverse and NFTs from a legal and operational perspective, learn about best practices, and network with other professionals in the field.

15. Digital market act and digital service act: a blueprint for global digital regulation

This table will discuss new EU legislation that has been adopted, and that is still in proposal stage, as part of the EU Digital Single Market and Digital Decade strategies, with an emphasis not only on risks but also opportunities, and the challenges presented to in-house lawyers. Laws discussed would include the DSA, DMA and AI Act, but also lesser-known laws like the Platform Work Directive and the proposals regarding product liability.

16. Low Earth orbit satellite services to rule the world?

LEO satellite constellations have the potential to provide connectivity in geographic areas which are hard to reach with fixed and terrestrial mobile infrastructure and also to provide services in jurisdictions with limited infrastructure. However, the operators of satellite constellations potentially face numerous legal challenges before they could be seen as significant competitors to terrestrial telecommunications infrastructure providers. Satellite constellations are subject to complex spectrum allocation, filing and coordination proceedings at international level and, subsequently, also to national spectrum assignment proceedings in order to become operational and enter the market. National security and cyber security risks, as well as potential requirements to comply with existing telecommunications infrastructure regulation, are also issues to be considered by LEO satellite operators and service providers.