ESG is the subject of two NLJ articles this week. Magowan advises how to make the most of the environmental aspects of ESG (environmental, social and corporate governance), and Colin Hulme, head of IP at Burness Paull, looks at copyright and making sure no business misappropriates the work of authors and artists.
First, Magowan advises that lawyers think about how they can make the biggest difference and focus on that. Rather than the lawyerly tendency to focus on the complex detail of reporting obligations in a variety of jurisdictions, he suggests lawyers prioritise, ask questions and communicate openly and honestly when evaluating anything from the perspective of sustainability.
Once they have ascertained what needs to be focused on to genuinely tackle the biggest impacts and make the biggest difference, Magowan advises that lawyers talk about these and only these, making sure they don’t get distracted.
Secondly, Colin Hulme, head of IP at Burness Paull, in an extract from a bigger article published on the Copyright Licensing Agency’s website, considers why businesses breach copyright and notes the importance of ESG for businesses pitching for work.
He highlights that: ‘As ESG policies require companies to have consideration for the communities and markets within which they operate, paying for content which will incentivise those engaged in the creative industries seems obvious.’
