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Jane Pinho

Jane Pinho is a partner in Covington’s Digital Media group in London. She works with media industry leaders with global operations, including streaming services, video games and interactive entertainment companies, and social media platforms. She has particular experience advising in relation to the creation, acquisition, and distribution of digital content in the UK and Europe and in relation to the multi-territory launch, expansion, monetization and marketing of digital media products and services. She handles both transactional and regulatory compliance matters.

Jane is a co-chair of the firm’s Entertainment and Media Industry Group.

Contact:Read more about Jane PinhoEmail

On July 18, 2023, the Association for UK Interactive Entertainment (“UKIE”), the trade body for the UK video games industry, published new industry principles and guidance surrounding paid loot boxes (the “Principles”) for application in the UK.

The Principles were recommended by the Technical Working Group on Loot Boxes (“TWG”), a panel of games companies, platforms, government departments and regulatory bodies, which was convened by the UK Government in order to mitigate the risk of harms for children as a result of loot boxes in video games.  Each member of the TWG has committed to comply with the Principles moving forward.…

Continue Reading UKIE Publishes Industry Principles on Paid Loot Boxes

The UK Government has announced plans to introduce new rules on online advertising for online platforms, intermediaries, and publishers.  The aim is to prevent illegal advertising and to introduce additional protections against harmful online ads for under-18s.  Full details are set out in its recently published response (“Response”) to the Department for Culture, Media & Sport’s 2022 Online Advertising Programme Consultation (“Consultation”). 

The new rules would sit alongside the proposed UK Online Safety Bill (“OSB”), which addresses rules on user-generated content (see our previous blog here).  Since the EU’s Digital Services Act (which starts to apply from February 2024, see our previous blog here) will not apply in the UK following Brexit, the OSB and any new rules following this Response, form the UK’s approach to regulating these matters, as distinct from the EU.…

Continue Reading Further Regulation of Illegal Advertising: UK Government Publishes Response to its Online Advertising Programme Consultation

On 29 March 2023, the UK’s Department for Culture, Media and Sport (“DCMS”) published the draft Media Bill (the “Bill”), which will deliver on a number of legislative reforms set out in the Government’s White Paper entitled “Up Next; the Government’s vision for the broadcasting sector”, published in April 2022.

The Bill forms part of the UK Government’s wider efforts to ensure the regulation of TV and radio evolves in line with changing technology.

The proposed legislative package, which is distilled into six parts, includes significant developments in the regulation of video-on-demand (“VoD”) service providers.…

Continue Reading Evolving Regulatory Landscape for VoD Providers: UK Government Publishes Draft Media Bill

The UK government has published a Proposed Code of Practice for Security in Consumer IoT Products and Associated Services promoting a “secure by design” approach to designing, manufacturing and delivering internet-connected products and services. The Proposed Code forms part of the government’s National Cyber Security Strategy (2016-2021) and complements the government’s focus on making the UK a center of excellence for technological innovation through, amongst other things, its IoT UK Programme, funding research and innovation in IoT. While the Code was developed in consultation with industry, the UK government intends to make some of the guidelines enforceable through regulation. The government is seeking public comment on the Proposed Code through April 25.

The rapid proliferation of internet-connected products and services is providing exciting opportunities for business innovation and economic growth. However, it also brings concerns for governments and consumers about the potential cybersecurity risks. The UK government therefore is taking a close look at IoT devices and their associated security risks, including microphones or cameras recording individuals within their homes, compromised connected home-heating or appliances threatening physical safety, and hacked access control systems allowing burglars easy access to your home. It is against this backdrop that the government is encouraging industry to assist in combatting cybersecurity threats through the design and support of products and services.
Continue Reading Covington Internet of Things Update: “Secure by Design” – UK Government’s Proposed Code of Practice