Practices                                          

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND E-COMMERCE

We help clients navigate through the complex issues that often arise when developing, licensing or acquiring information technology. In today’s economy, such technology drives almost every company’s operations and growth. We handle all aspects of information technology and e-commerce transactions ranging from small, one-time license agreements to technology joint ventures to multiparty global outsourcing deals.
The cornerstone of our practice is that we understand the technical and business issues that arise in connection with these transactions. As a result, we are comfortable working with chief technology officers to develop Service Level Agreements (“SLAs”) for enterprise-wide systems; product managers to determine the appropriate pricing metrics for cross-license agreements; and in-house counsel to draft comprehensive strategic alliances. Our multifaceted approach to technical, business and legal issues allows us to be a value-add to any transaction on which we work.

Skill is dedicated to providing high quality yet cost-effective legal services through careful attention to client relationships and engagement management. Our commitment to client service and professionalism emphasizes teamwork, flexibility and responding quickly and efficiently to our clients’ needs. Most importantly, we look to be creative problem-solvers to help get a deal done.

Below is a representative sample of the different areas of information technology and e-commerce that our practice covers. 

Joint Ventures, ERPs and Strategic Alliances

Companies are increasingly looking to strategic alliances, enterprise resource planning (“ERPs”), cross-licensing agreements and joint ventures to create new business opportunities in information technology and e-commerce. These transactions involve the exchange and sharing of data and proprietary rights, and require a thorough understanding of the benefits and risks to each party. Our first step is to meet with the business and technical representatives of our clients in order to understand their strategic needs. We have drafted and negotiated numerous agreements of this type, including “click and mortar” deals, joint venture agreements, technology bundling arrangements, distribution agreements, portal deals and cross-licensing agreements.

Licensing

Few companies develop on their own all of the information technology or e-commerce resources that they need in order to compete effectively. As a result, most companies execute license agreements to acquire these technologies.
 

Privacy

Personal privacy and data use has been one of the most critical issues in the evolution of information technology and e-commerce. Companies continually struggle to strike a balance between the benefits and conveniences that can be realized from mining the data that they collect and the interests of users in protecting the privacy of their personal information. We help our clients navigate and comply with the myriad of laws, regulations, directives and standards in this area. We also routinely draft or modify privacy policies for our clients, taking into account their marketing and strategic needs as well as the issues that are at the forefront of the privacy debate.


Corporate Compliance and Policies

In order to protect their computer systems and other information technologies, many companies establish formal policies governing the use of these resources. We work with clients to draft these policies in areas such as e-mail use, Internet access and network security. In each case, we tailor these policies to reflect the client’s individual needs. We work with clients to develop employee policies regarding confidentiality, non-competes and intellectual property ownership, and draft the agreements that will implement these policies.