Michalsons

About Michalsons

These blog entries are written in collaboration with Michalsons and attorneys who are the subject matter experts in their respective focus areas. Our attorneys specialise in various fields of law and provide commercially effective and practical advice. Read more about our people...

Breaking the binary: Why contract drafters should use the singular pronoun “they”

As a contract drafter, I’m motivated to use inclusive, accurate, and up-to-date language to respect the dignity of my fellow human beings. That’s what the concept of Ubuntu is all about. So, in this post, I argue why contract drafters [...]

By |2024-08-26T06:23:18+02:00April 16th, 2023|Categories: Clear communications, Contracts|

Copyleft licensing: Sharing is caring in the world of open source software

Welcome to the world of copyleft licensing, where the rights of creators and the freedom of users are both respected and protected. In this post, we’ll delve into the ins and outs of copyleft licensing and explore why it’s such [...]

By |2024-08-26T21:22:01+02:00April 12th, 2023|Categories: Intellectual Property Protection|Tags: |

API agreements: Why they matter & how to get them right

In today’s digital age, APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) are essential to software development. They allow different software systems to communicate and share data, making building new applications and services easier. But when it comes to APIs, a significant legal component [...]

By |2024-08-26T06:24:53+02:00April 12th, 2023|Categories: Contracts|Tags: |

Selling distribution rights: how a Distribution Agreement should help

Anyone who has tried to own rights in any goods or products will tell you how valuable the distribution rights in those goods often are. A Distribution Agreement is the vehicle those people often use to become or appoint resellers [...]

AI as a Service: legal, commercial & technical considerations

AI has rapidly emerged as a key technology in the modern era. With its ability to automate processes and analyse data, AI has proven to be a game-changer for businesses across various industries. Specifically, AI as a service (AIaaS) is [...]

By |2025-05-27T15:55:15+02:00April 11th, 2023|Categories: AI Governance|Tags: |

BRICS countries: benefits of the free flow of personal data

The free flow of personal data is becoming increasingly important in today’s global economy. Countries worldwide realise the benefits of sharing data across borders. These benefits include increased economic growth, improved cross-border business operations, enhanced innovation, improved public services, and [...]

By |2024-08-25T22:09:55+02:00April 3rd, 2023|Categories: POPI and Data Protection|Tags: , , |

Data as a Service (DaaS): business model & legal issues

Data as a Service (DaaS) is becoming increasingly popular as organisations seek to unlock the value of data without incurring the overhead of managing and maintaining large data sets. DaaS providers offer a range of data sets, from weather and [...]

By |2025-05-27T15:55:07+02:00March 30th, 2023|Categories: Information Law, IT Law|Tags: , |

Blind SA v Minister of Trade

In Blind SA v Minister of Trade, the Constitutional Court declared sections of the Copyright Act unconstitutional. People with visual and print disabilities can now access published works in accessible formats like braille, audio and DAISY (Digital Accessible Information System). [...]

Zendaya’s advice for avoiding legal traps: read those contracts!

Zendaya, the famous actor from the Spider-Man movies, recently reminded me that movie stars can give good legal advice. "Read those contracts," she said to a quietly astonished audience. I became very excited when I later came across her comments. [...]

By |2025-02-28T16:35:41+02:00March 28th, 2023|Categories: Contracts, Plain Language|Tags: , , , |

ISO publishes guidance on AI risk management

ISO's guidance on AI risk management introduces a common framework relating to the implementation and use of AI systems. Risk management allows organisations to identify and evaluate risks using resources. The guidance applies to organisations that produce, develop, use, or [...]

By |2024-02-28T22:41:22+02:00March 27th, 2023|Categories: AI Governance|Tags: , , |

Sustainable AI: Five strategies for future-conscious organisations

AI has the potential to transform industries, drive innovation, and improve decision-making. However, the increasing use of AI has raised concerns about its sustainability. In essence, sustainability means that organisations engage in business that meets the needs of the present [...]

By |2024-08-25T22:17:34+02:00March 22nd, 2023|Categories: AI Governance|