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NLJ this week: How to avoid greenwashing & the significance of copyright in ESG

13 October 2023
Issue: 8044 / Categories: Legal News , ESG , Intellectual property
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‘Every time I see this focus on sustainability regulations, I want to scream,’ General Counsel Andrew Magowan, from law firm The Legal Director, writes in this week’s NLJ. ‘At best, it’s a wasted opportunity. But at worst, it’s a dereliction of our duties as lawyers’

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.’ 

MOVERS & SHAKERS

NLJ Career Profile: Maria Karaiskos KC, Church Court Chambers

NLJ Career Profile: Maria Karaiskos KC, Church Court Chambers

Maria Karaiskos KC, recently appointed as the first female head of Church Court Chambers, discusses breaking down barriers, the lure of the courtroom, and the power of storytelling

Cripps—Simon Main

Cripps—Simon Main

Firm strengthens residential property team with partner hire

Hugh James—Danielle Cahill

Hugh James—Danielle Cahill

Private wealth disputes team welcomes partner in London

NEWS
In a very special tribute in this week's NLJ, David Burrows reflects on the retirement of Patrick Allen, co-founder of Hodge Jones & Allen, whose career epitomised the heyday of legal aid
Writing in NLJ this week, Kelvin Rutledge KC of Cornerstone Barristers and Genevieve Screeche-Powell of Field Court Chambers examine the Court of Appeal’s rejection of a discrimination challenge to Tower Hamlets’ housing database
Michael Zander KC, Emeritus Professor at LSE, tracks the turbulent passage of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill through the House of Lords in this week's issue of NLJ. Two marathon debates drew contributions from nearly 200 peers, split between support, opposition and conditional approval
Alistair Mills of Landmark Chambers reflects on the Human Rights Act 1998 a quarter-century after it came into force, in this week's issue of NLJ
In his latest Civil Way column for NLJ, Stephen Gold surveys a raft of procedural changes and quirky disputes shaping civil practice. His message is clear: civil practitioners must brace for continual tweaks, unexpected contentions and rising costs in everyday litigation
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