Understand Your Rights. Solve Your Legal Problems
Julian Assange’s case has been in debate at the UK High Court and the US department of Justice for some time now. Finally, with an agreement in principle with the DoJ, Assange has began his journey home to Australia.
Assange has been fighting extradition to the US and finally he has been allowed to move on with his life, the journalistic freedoms being debated since his arrest.
Julia Assange has served 5 years in a UK prison and this time will be credited excusing him from spending any extra time in a US prison. He will plead guilty to one charge, in relation to violating the Espionage act.
Assange was flown to Bangkok where the aircraft refuelled before beginning the journey to the Mariana Islands where a judge will sign off on the agreement.
Assange has distrust with the US and would not voluntarily return to the continental USA, explaining the choice for the Mariana Island, a US territory in the south Pacific.
When the agreement has been signed off they expect Julian Assange to return home to Australia where his wife and two children currently reside.
Syndicat des Eaux d’Ile-de-France (SEDIF) has completed the procedure for awarding the new concession contract relating to the management of the public drinking water service in Ile-de-France.
The contract will last 12 years and is worth around EUR 4.3bn to cover the supply of drinking water to over 4 million people for over EUR1 billion in investments to produce clean, limescale and chlorine free water.
Lacourte Raquin Tatar supported SEDIF at all stages and defended their interest in the context of disputes which proceeded the signing of the contract and under the terms of which the Paris administrative court and the Council of the state validated in all respects of awarding the concession.
The team was led by Benoit Neveu and composed of Xavier de Lesquen, Marine Hue, Romain Meresse, Claire McDonagh and Arthur Pierre.
For SEDIF, this project has significant economic, technical, environmental but also legal implications, considering the complexity of the contract and the high risks of litigation.
Our goal has always been to provide high-level legal advice to meet those challenges, with precision, availability, and adaptability. I was personally involved on a daily basis, leading the team and the relation with the client, which was made easier as SEDIF also set up a tight and efficient dedicated team, with a limited number of highly committed contacts.
The success of the project greatly relies on the planification of tasks and the anticipation of challenges, but also on the team’s capacity to adapt, daily, to the client’s needs. Emergencies and last-minute changes are quintessential for this type of project, and our team knows exactly how to deal with them.
We set up a dedicated team, highly experienced in public contract law and composed of lawyers who have great knowledge of water public services, the economic operators that can provide them as well as the specific legal issues of this sector. We used our experience working on previous concession contracts for the supply of drinking water, notably in Toulouse, Bordeaux, Lyon, Lille or Marseille.
For this project, we have continuously taken advantage of our strong litigation practice in public contract law, which has allowed us to anticipate criticism of the award process and provide tailored advice, even when the law was silent. We also benefited from the invaluable support of my partner Xavier de Lesquen, a former administrative magistrate. Our expertise has been particularly valuable in preventing conflicts of interests, advising the client on the information to be communicated to the economic operators, and more generally throughout the negotiations.
In many cases, there are no obvious nor absolute answers to the questions which bring clients to their lawyer. For this reason, beyond the mere analysis of the current state of the law, our dedicated team of lawyers on this project has systematically looked for, found, and sometimes even designed the most appropriate solutions to meet the needs of our client, always keeping legal security as a priority.
Finally, this type of projects requires helping the client to take decisions while taking into account numerous parameters and to reconcile various point of views. I believe that my experience as a mediator helped our client in the management of the project, especially as communication is a key factor of success, as is listening to the client and reformulating their needs to answer them as best as possible.
There was an incident which changed the parameters of the final stages of the concession award procedure. As a result of an IT issue, part of an economic operator’s bid was disclosed to a competitor. This breach of confidentiality has led SEDIF to stop the negotiations and award the contract based on intermediate bids submitted before the IT issue. This decision was not an easy one to take, and we worked closely with SEDIF on all the possible solutions available to identify and evaluate the risks of each solution.
The decision to attribute the contract on the basis of intermediate bids has been challenged by one of the economic operators through a precontractual remedy, before the award of the contract. We successfully represented SEDIF before the Paris Administrative Court, which ruled that SEDIF’s decision was compliant with the French concession contract rules, and especially with the principle of equal treatment between the candidates. This ruling was confirmed by the French Council of State, which ruled that SEDIF had taken the best decision in the specific circumstances of the case. We are proud to have successfully advised SEDIF and defended this solution, even considering the pressure surrounding it.
Once the decision to continue the procedure on the basis of the intermediate bids was confirmed, we advised SEDIF on the analysis of these bids and on the adjustments of the concession contract, which was particularly challenging as it was impossible to continue discussions with the economic operators. A considerable amount of work was therefore required before SEDIF could issue the decision to select the concessionaire.
This choice was followed by another precontractual remedy, through which the unsuccessful economic operator tried to dispute the concession award procedure on multiple grounds. However, the Administrative Court rejected the claims and fully confirmed the legality of all aspects of the concession award procedure. Considering our involvement at every stage of this procedure, we received this decision with great satisfaction.
Following this litigation, the contract was finally signed, but not without a long series of obstacles and several long months of constant mobilisation on our part.
The SEDIF project is an ambitious one which perfectly matches the type of cases that our firm is keen on, for at least three reasons.
The first reason is that this project required strong legal engineering, and the provision of legal advice with high added value, which perfectly matches the type of services that we make a priority to provide to our clients. Indeed, we always strive to bring a creative and tailored outlook to every situation, to obtain the best possible results. In the case of the SEDIF project, we have had to reflect a lot on the remuneration mechanisms as well as on the financing arrangements of investments, particularly on the billion-euro construction works for new installations aiming to produce “clean, limescale and chlorine-free water”.
The second reason is that the SEDIF project meets social and environmental preoccupations which naturally matter greatly to our firm: sustainable preservation of natural resources, adaptation to climate change, engaging actions favouring the transition to green energies, guaranteeing free access to safe water for all. Beyond the internal guidelines and processes that Lacourte Raquin Tatar has developed in its daily activity, we strive to always prioritise cases with favourable impacts on social and environmental issues.
The third reason is that providing legal advice on such a project necessarily implies working with a team composed of lawyers who are complementary to each other, but also sufficiently responsible and autonomous. This is the very type of project in which associates work directly with partners and clients, and are therefore quickly confronted to situations that enable them to give their best.
Overall, this project has been a great opportunity to demonstrate our capacity to work as a team, and our capacity to adopt a global and strategic vision.
Our firm continues to advise SEDIF during the performance of the concession. This contract will come into full effect on January 1st, 2025 and we have plenty preparatory actions to take, considering the issues that a contract of this scale (more than 9000 pages in total…) raises once the performance starts.
We therefore answer all the client’s questions and even participate in the training of SEDIF members, who will now have to implement this concession contract, both in terms of carrying out the investment works and operating the public service, but also in terms of monitoring the concessionaire.
LACOURTE RAQUIN TATAR business law firm is a leader in its areas of expertise: mergers and acquisitions, real estate and taxation. In addition to these areas of expertise, he has recognized skills in public law, urban planning, financing, financial regulation and asset management, and litigation.
With 85 lawyers, including 23 partners and 4 counsels, the firm is committed to provide his clients with solutions, and promote ethics and long-term collaborations.
LACOURTE RAQUIN TATAR advises and litigates in the various fields of public law, mainly in the areas of urban planning, public contracts and environment. The firm's public law team acts on behalf of investors, developers, industrialists, professional federations, as well as organizing authorities and public service operators for the regulatory, operational and financial implementation of their projects. The lawyers in the team have recognized experience, particularly in the real estate, urban development, renewable energy, local public services and infrastructure sectors.
Benoit Neveu has been a lawyer in public business law for 20 years.
Benoit Neveu holds a DEA in Public Economic Law (University of Paris II - Panthéon Assas), a DESS in Public Law Litigation (University of Paris I - Panthéon Sorbonne), and a diploma from the Institut des Hautes Etudes Internationales (University of Paris II - Panthéon Assas). He has focused his practice on public contracts and public services law, as well as, more generally, on the law of local authorities, both in terms of advice and litigation.
His experience in auditing, awarding and negotiating public contracts (delegation of public services, complex public contracts, partnership contracts, etc.) as well as in the organization of public services (creation of structures such as local public companies, drafting of rules of governance, definition of personnel status, etc.) and management of the domain of public entities has led him to intervene in the context of project management assistance missions for public entities in most economic sectors.
In addition, Benoit NEVEU is a certified mediator (University Diploma of Mediator - IFOMENE).
Energy SpA has now finalised the negotiation and structuring of a temporary business association contract (German: ARGE for Arbeitsgemeinschaft) with Koenigskreuz, a specialist company based in Austria working in photovoltaic technologies.
Energy SpA is active in the offer of integrated electricity storage systems on Euronext Growth Milan. The value of this supply of storage system and services is EUR 25.7 million.
Rechtsanwalt Dr Andreas Eustacchio, LL.M. (LSE) has provided legal advice to ARGE Energy Königskreuz on their first business cooperation on the Austrian Market.
“With our advice, we have made a significant contribution to putting the Italian-Austrian cooperation between Energy and Königskreuz on a solid legal footing for the successful delivery of battery storage systems and associated services worth 25.7 million euros for ASFINAG in Austria.”
A pivotal challenge of the legal advice was the timely drafting and negotiation of the business association contract, which clearly defines the single tasks and responsibilities of Energy S.p.A. and Königskreuz GmbH within the framework of the joint venture.
With our advice, we have made a significant contribution to putting the Italian-Austrian cooperation between Energy and Königskreuz on a solid legal footing for the successful delivery of battery storage systems and associated services worth 25.7 million euros for ASFINAG. For ASFINAG this involves achieving three goals: complete energy autonomy by 2030, energy resilience to protect data (an extremely topical issue), and motorway fast charging supported by energy from renewable sources.
The joint venture with Energy SpA as the leading part has won an important tender from ASFINAG Autobahn Service GmbH, a motorway concessionaire in Austria, and prevailed against other industrial entities. The successful collaboration will now enable the production and delivery of the battery storage systems and associated services worth 25.7 million euros for ASFINAG over the next 18 months.
It is particularly noteworthy that the energy storage systems are produced by Energy S.p.A. in Italy and therefore come from European production.
Foremost it was necessary to have an in-depth knowledge of the Italian and Austrian markets as well as experience with industrial companies and the energy sector. I have been advising Italian clients in Austria and vice versa for more than 20 years now. With my expertise in the Austrian and Italian markets and knowing about the strength of the Italian industry I was able to set the legal course for success in Austria together with Studio Legale Macchion & Resoli on the Italian side.
The agreement had to ensure that all legal and technical provisions of the Austrian energy sector were complied with. To this end, it was first also necessary to clarify which legal requirements had to be met for the Austrian market.
Commercial and legal success is about understanding the client and the culture of their country. As I acted as legal advisor for both the Italian Energy S.p.A. and the Austrian Königskreuz GmbH, my role was also to act as a mediator to resolve any differences that arose during the contract negotiations, both from a legal point of view and in relation to various business and technical aspects. This was also done under time pressure and strict time constraints due to the tender.
The key to success was ‘trust’ in me as a person and my team as well as in my work as a legal advisor. It was thus very important that the dialogue between the two parties did not break down, even during the period in which contractual sticking points had to be overcome. It was therefore important for us to repeatedly discuss with the two partners legally sensible and economically viable points and to immediately submit proposals so to ensure that the collaboration between the two partners would be a successful one in the future.
If only one of the two partners had not trusted me 100% during these phases, we would not have been able to achieve this success.
The tender is the first of its kind won by Energy S.p.A., as a partner of the ARGE Energy S.p.A. Königskreuz GmbH and is international recognition of Energy S.p.A.'s strategy, which confirms its leading position in the renewable energy sector. The Company is at the forefront of the transition to a sustainable energy future, constantly investing in research to develop increasingly efficient and sustainable products, thus confirming its influence in the European energy storage market.
We will now continue providing legal assistance on the joint venture on the individual implementation steps necessary in Austria and to satisfy ASFINAG according to the tender agreement with the ARGE.
The most important goal for us must continue to be to put our customers and their needs at the centre. Only joint success strengthens both.
A manufacturer of medical devices has been acquired in a management buyout and supported by private equity firm, Traditum.
This buyout, led by Entaco Ltd’s managing director, Steve Brown who will now take the role of group chief executive and drive the business forward as it targets over 50% growth to £15m turnover.
Entaco Group comprised of, John James Needles, Entaco Medical Devices, and Redditch Medical.
Traditum has invested more than £1m to fund both consideration to the shareholders and provide growth capital for the business.
Traditum was supported with legal advice from Mills and Reeves, with Paul Johnson and Nina Latham on the team.
Sanderson Weatherall gave property advice to Traditum, with Guy Owen as counsel for this.
“Property elements of deals can often be overlooked or left until the last minute. It is crucial that all parties understand the significance of the property element in good time.”
It was crucial for Traditum to understand the level of financial and business continuity risk that was being carried as a result of the condition of the buildings the business was operating from and also the obligations placed on the business by the terms of the commercial leases in place.
We undertook a detailed review of the leases and combined this with a detailed inspection of the properties forming part of the MBO to provide dilapidation assessment reports setting out the key risks, leasehold liabilities and an outline commercial strategy focussing on how to mitigate these risks as and when they would occur. We provided a financial summary based on current construction market rates for the key elements of disrepair that would need to be addressed under the terms of the various leases.
The survey element itself was fairly straightforward due to our extensive experience in providing commercially focused property and dilapidations advice. We have previously completed similar projects for members of the Traditum team and they were aware of our expertise in this area from the outset.
Due to the significant size of the buildings and difficulties associated with gaining safe access to high level areas we deployed one of our fleet of 4k camera drones to obtain images of the roof and high level areas. This provided numerous benefits to both us as surveyors and the client. We obtained ultra-high-resolution images of areas that would be dangerous to inspect on foot without specialist access equipment, which in turn meant we passed on time and access cost savings to the client. We also provided detailed imagery within our reports in order that any future roof maintenance works could be planned.
We have a great deal of experience across all parts of the UK and Ireland, providing commercial dilapidations advice and general building consultancy services.
By leveraging our experience and by employing the latest inspection technology we were able to provide detailed and accurate assessment reports for each of the properties. We identified significant risk items that could then be used as part of the wider negotiation of the buyout deal. Having an in depth understanding of the mechanics of commercial dilapidations claims enabled us to provide accurate and commercially focused advice both within our reports and during subsequent follow up advice.
When commercial rented property forms part of a management buyout or any major business transaction, the seemingly small property element of the overall deal can have a significant impact on the value of the underlying business. Property aspects of deals can often be overlooked or left until the last minute and it is important for all parties to understand the significance of the property element in good time.
As a business one of our core values is providing the highest possible levels of customer service. We are a unique business in our sector and one of the few Partner owned consultancies of our size which translates to us being able to deal with large and complex projects and deals, while also being small enough to provide a truly personal and bespoke service, our company moto “The approachable alternative” sums up what we are about.
Traditum and Entaco have access to any of the Partners at Sanderson Weatherall whenever required and all work we undertake from the smallest valuation instruction to multi-million-pound development schemes is always Partner led from start to finish.
Our ongoing support is not limited to Commercial Building Surveying and dilapidations advice, we are an effective one-stop property consultancy, and we offer a wide range of professional services including Architecture, Valuation, Business Rates Consultancy, Property Management and Facilities Management.
Microset has been sold to French Counterpart Groupe, SOCOMORE which will enhance SOCOMORE’s NDT capabilities in the UK allowing them to offer a more complete suite of product as well as solidifying their presence.
SOCOMORE designs, manufactures and markets specialist chemistry solutions for critical operations mainly for the aerospace market with operations worldwide.
Microset specialises in a range of applications critical to assessing surface damage, quality control of internal surfaces and more which is invaluable to sectors were Non-destructive testing methods are needed.
During this transaction SOCOMORE was supported by HK Law with Caroline Carretta and Roger Cole on the team. Clarita Thursfields Solicitors gave legal advice to Microset with partner, James Bailey and manager Liam Bradney on the team.
Caroline Carretta: “This was an extremely collaborative transaction – the key for both Buyer and Sellers was to secure long-term succession for the Microset business and a seamless transition for its customers”.
Villeroy & Boch have successfully established its manufacturing presence in Egypt through a strategic partnership with Keramika Magenta, a prominent player in the local ceramics industry.
Villeroy & Boch is an international ceramics manufacturer producing high quality products since 1748. They are one of Europe’s largest manufacturers of bathroom products.
Both Keramika Magenta and Villeroy & Boch will benefit from this partnership as they can expand within Egypt and further.
Amr & Partners Law Firm represented Keramika Magenta led by Habiba Amr and Essam Magdy as they navigated the negotiation process.
“A transaction that will forever remain engraved in my heart; on a professional level a transaction that taught me extensively and shaped me differently and on a personnel level one that accompanied me from the beginning to the very last days of my second pregnancy. Could not be more special!”
Throughout this exciting journey my colleague, Essam Magdy (Senior Associate) and myself; directed by Dr Mohamed Sameh Amr (Founding and Managing Partner), enthusiastically managed to lead a team of lawyers to successfully close this significant transaction.
Primarily, we started by negotiating the head of terms which contained the cornerstones of this prosperous partnership then moved to the legal due diligence phase where we assisted our client in delivering all requested documents and in providing further information and clarification to any raised enquiries by Villeroy & Boch’s team. We were eager to later delve into the details of the transaction studying and negotiating the terms of the different agreements forming the transaction documents package including but not limited to the Joint Venture Agreement, License Agreement, Supply Agreement, Management Agreement and Distribution Agreement. After nearly a year of negotiations we were efficaciously able to reach common ground with Villeroy & Boch’s team and the set of agreements was successfully executed. Then, came our role in the post-execution phase where we happily assisted our client in fulfilling the condition precedents and subsequent obligations as per the agreed upon terms.
In our team, we assemble a dynamic array of specialists, each finely specialised in their respective fields which we believe is crucial to negotiation and transactional success. Among them are adept minds in contract law, diligently crafting ironclad terms to safeguard our client's interests. Our corporate structuring virtuosos orchestrate partnership agreements not just for legality but for optimal tax efficiency and governance, adding layers of strategic advantage.
Meanwhile, our financial experts navigated the labyrinth of numbers, forecasting risks and returns with precision. Together, this symphony of expertise converges to dissect every facet of the partnership, uncovering opportunities, and devising pre-emptive strategies to navigate potential obstacles.
Moreover, in crafting the agreement, meticulous attention was dedicated to aligning its provisions with the regulations governing the Egyptian Suez Canal Economic Zone (“SCZone”). Leveraging the unique advantages offered by this strategic zone, the agreement was tailored to optimize operational efficiencies, capitalize on incentives, and harness the conducive business environment fostered within the SCZone. By strategically embedding provisions that harness the regulatory framework of the SCZone, our aim was to position our client to seamlessly navigate and capitalise on the opportunities presented within this vital economic corridor.
This collaboration isn't just about individual prowess; it's about synergising diverse skills to deliver comprehensive solutions, minimising risks, and maximising outcomes for our valued client.
Navigating negotiations requires a strategic approach that balances assertiveness with flexibility. I always begin by meticulously understanding my client's objectives and concerns while empathetically considering the other party's perspective. Prioritising issues is pivotal; I assess their importance based on various criteria, such as legal ramifications, financial impact, and alignment with long-term goals.
For this particular partnership, several critical areas demanded meticulous attention. Firstly, clarifying the terms of collaboration ensured that both parties were aligned on their roles, responsibilities, and expectations. Intellectual property rights were another focal point, safeguarding each party's innovations and creations while fostering an environment of trust.
Furthermore, allocating liability fairly and effectively was paramount, mitigating risks and ensuring accountability in case of unforeseen circumstances. Establishing robust dispute resolution mechanisms provided a safety net, offering a structured approach to resolving conflicts should they arise.
Throughout the negotiation process, maintaining transparent and open communication was vital. It fostered trust, promoted collaboration, and facilitated the exploration of creative solutions that could benefit both parties. Flexibility was also key; being willing to adapt strategies and compromise where necessary helped navigate potential roadblocks and fostered a spirit of cooperation. Ultimately, the goal of any negotiation is to secure a mutually beneficial agreement that lays a solid foundation for the partnership's success while minimising risks and maximizing opportunities for both parties involved.
Through this transformative partnership, the client stands to achieve a myriad of advantages that can propel their business to new heights. Firstly, aligning its products with the esteemed Villeroy & Boch brand not only elevates its perceived value but also enables it to command premium prices per unit compared to their local brand. This association instantly communicates quality, craftsmanship, and status to consumers, enhancing the client's profitability and competitiveness. Secondly, the collaboration promises to infuse the client's operations with invaluable technical expertise and know-how accumulated over Villeroy & Boch's impressive 276-year history in ceramics and sanitary ware production. This knowledge reservoir spans advanced manufacturing techniques, quality control processes, design innovation, and market insights, positioning the client as a leader in the industry. Thirdly, the partnership opens doors to lucrative export opportunities, particularly in European and other international markets where the Villeroy & Boch brand enjoys widespread recognition and acceptance. This expansion into new markets diversifies the client's customer base and revenue streams while mitigating business risks. Lastly, the increase in capital resulting from the partnership fuelled the expansion of the client's manufacturing capacity, ensuring it can meet the heightened demand generated by this synergistic collaboration and seize new growth opportunities with confidence. This strategic investment lays the foundation for sustainable growth and long-term success, positioning the client as a remarkable player in the global sanitary ware market.
Like any partnership, there were likely challenges that arose during the negotiation and implementation phases. Some common challenges could include differences in organisational culture, a large number of stakeholders having conflicting views, priorities or objectives, regulatory hurdles and unexpected changes in market conditions including but not limited to currency devaluation.
To address these challenges, our team likely employed several strategies. Firstly, we prioritised open and transparent communication between all parties involved to ensure mutual understanding and alignment of goals. We also engaged in active listening to identify and address any concerns or issues early on. Additionally, we remained flexible and adaptable, ready to modify our approach or negotiate alternative solutions as needed to overcome obstacles. Our team may have also leveraged our network and resources to seek expert advice or guidance on specific challenges, such as regulatory issues.
Overall, our proactive and collaborative approach, coupled with our expertise and experience, enabled us to navigate challenges effectively and ensure the success of this fruitful partnership.
We are a Cairo-based firm, established in the heart of Cairo in 2016 serving selected group of clients operating in Egypt and the region. We offer our clients a fully-integrated legal service, combining expertise and personal attention. Our firm continuously strives to accommodate changes in the market and to support the enhancement of investment in today’s challenging environment. At Amr & partners, we provide fully integrated advice that is specific to each client’s industry in order to help him achieve his strategic ambitions. For that end, our team composes of member with both common law and civil law educational background, which help creating a unique combination in order to accommodate every client’s need.
ISC and ISC Intermodal had entered the negotiated composition of the crisis in 2022 and since have been following through with their creditors whilst being supported by Chamber of Commerce of Naples.
They aim to restore their economic and financial imbalance. The companies have two simplified arrangement plans which have been approved by the Court of Nola and are now final.
The companies were provided assistance in commercial relations with business partners and creditors by the team at Massimo Militerni and Elena Garda of the Militerni Law firm S.r.l.
The team maintained the contractual relationships with creditors. They supported ISC and ISC Intermodal as well as the consultants who filed the restructuring plan.
In partnership with Platform Housing Group, Vistry Group has completed a £34m deal which will bring in 133 affordable houses in Rushden.
Planning for 133 one, two, three and four bedroom houses and maisonettes had been granted. The houses will include air course heat pumps to reduce carbon emission will be built from the summer of 2024.
The site was marketed by Savills East Midlands development team and was formerly owned by Co-op. The homes will be manufactured using open timber frames from the Vistry Works East Midlands factory in Bardon.
Acting as legal counsel for Co-op was Rachel Saint of Paris Smith.
www.parissmith.co.uk/your-business/commercial-property/
Former U.S. President, Donald Trump has been found guilty of all 34 charges of fraud against him in the trial surrounding hush money paid to Stormy Daniels and the falsified records. This has been stated as illegal campaigning and influencing the 2016 election through supressing information becoming public as Stormy Daniels was paid to keep the affair between herself and Donald Trump quiet. The 12 person jury has found Trump guilty and he will be sentence in July.
Mr. Trump claims this was set up and rigged as a political stab against him.
This is the first time in history that an American former or current president has been convicted of a crime making the predictions hard to determine.
Donal Trump will face sentencing on July 11 which could be a large fine or prison time.
The sentence is set to be announced just days before Mr Trump is scheduled to be nominated as Republican candidate.
Mr Trump is running in the election held in November but with a criminal records, will he still be running?
With this being a historical first there is no format to go from and many think if Mr Trump is sentenced to just a fine he will still be running in the election.
The prison sentence could be for up to 4 years which experts say will be an unlikely verdict.
This could dissuade people from supporting Mr Trump however, with people more worried about aspects such as, the economy and where foreign aid is being sent to this year, the public may not be thinking about Mr Trump’s trial.
Open AI got themselves into a legal battle with Scarlett Johansson after imitating her voice for the AI-generated chatbot, Sky.
They deny the claims that they intentionally mimicked Johansson’s voice and had an actress in place early on.
Open AI’s CEO, Sam Altman, did reach out to Scarlett Johansson requesting she replaced their actress with her own voice for the character, to which Johansson declined. The voice was reported to sound just like Scarlet Johansson’s character in ‘Her’ from 2013.
SAG-AFTRA, an influential body representing television and radio artists has reported they will be removing the character of ‘Sky’ from their products in support of Scarlett Johansson.
John Berlinski, a partner at Los Angeles law firm, Bird Marella will be her counsel if she decides to carry out legal action against Open AI.
This is adding to the concern of many in the creative industry as they can be easily imitated and perhaps replaced in the future.
8 different newspapers have filed lawsuits against Open AI and Microsoft alleging that their AI software is undermining the newspaper industry. The newspaper include, The New York Daily News and Chicago Tribune.
The Newspapers allege that AI companies unlawfully copied millions of their articles to train Ai products which include Microsoft’s Copilot and OpenAI’s ChatGPT.
