Fiona Crawley’s practice focuses primarily on work for technology clients, particularly in connection with commercial agreements and the protection and exploitation of intellectual property.  She has assisted clients in the software and IT industries as well as the life sciences industry, with an emphasis on research and development and biotech companies. She also has experience with the UK and European telecoms industry.  Her practice includes all aspects of commercial agreements and advice, in particular as to issues relating to interactive websites, internet trading and data privacy, with a particular emphasis on cross border agreements and arrangements.

Ms. Crawley practiced for more than 15 years with a Cambridge, UK, law firm where she was involved with companies spinning out from the university and with “leading edge” technology companies.  For the last 10 years she has worked primarily with U.S. clients, particularly those expanding into Europe or doing business with European companies.  She has provided assistance with local due diligence and those aspects of the contract where local law may override ( e.g., enforcement in the event of insolvency, exclusion or limitation of liability, regulatory issues, definition and rights in intellectual property) and all aspects relating to cross border and internet trading.  Ms. Crawley has advised on intellectual property issues relating to mergers and acquisitions (e.g., due diligence, warranties and post acquisition reorganizations).

Select Representations

Ms. Crawley worked for U.S. clients on Europe-wide projects, advising on standard form documents and obtaining local law advice for other countries.  Representative projects included:

• Establishment of distribution/supply arrangements for a new pharmaceutical product across Europe, with different distributors in key countries.
• Reporting on use of an individual’s image in a computer game and the extent to which action might be taken against the manufacturer and distributor, in various European countries.
• Advising on documentation (including site agreements, patient consent, data privacy, etc.) concerning  pan-European multi-site clinical trials for a pharmaceutical product and the subsequent establishment of a Web site for uploading/downloading (into the U.S.) of data derived from the trials.
• Advising on the harmonization of dealer and distributor agreements and consumer protection issues (relating to pan European marketing and promotions) for a US consumer product company and on aspects.
• Advising a US pharmaceutical company on in licensing and out licensing transactions for its products for all territories outside the US

Software/IT Industry

Ms. Crawley has assisted software development companies, particularly in licensing arrangements, both standard form and bespoke development and major  multi-site licenses.

• Advising a supplier to the NHS ‘Connecting for Health’ IT Programme.
• Advising a US internet service provider, primarily in connection with co-portal and content arrangements.
• Advising a US software company on the licensing of billing software to a UK mobile phone company
• Advising a US licensor on the licensing of credit card processing software to a UK based financial services group.
• Advising numerous clients on Web site and online trading / e-commerce issues, particularly relating to the establishment of a co.uk Web site and /or trading online in Europe from a .com Web site.

Bar and Court Admissions

England and Wales, 1980

Education

Clare College, Cambridge University, LL.M., Hons, 1977

University of Leicester, LL.B., Hons, 1976